Global law firm K&L Gates said that Stacy Ackermann of Charlotte has been appointed global managing partner effective July 1.
The decision follows Jim Segerdahl’s decision not to seek a third term leading the firm. K&L Gates also appointed Rick Giovannelli of Charlotte as co-chair of the management committee alongside current chair Michael Caccese. Caccese will step down as co-chair on June 30, 2026, after having served as chair for nine years.
In 2024, Pittsburgh-based K&L Gates was ranked as the 14th biggest U.S. law firm by the National Law Journal and 44th for gross revenue by American Lawyer magazine.
Ackermann joined K&L Gates in 2012, has served on the firm’s management committee for six years, and leads its global finance practice.
“I am committed to strengthening our position in the marketplace, developing and empowering our vast array of talent, and exploring new ways to bring value to our client relationships,” she said via a news release.
Giovannelli has been with the firm since 1996 and presently leads its global corporate practice. Giovannelli has been a member of the management committee since 2014 and has led the firm’s global practice management and industry initiatives since 2021.
The firm said its ordinary course revenue has increased by 37% over the past eight years. During that period, the firm expanded into new markets such as Dublin, Kansas City, Luxembourg and Nashville. Segerdahl is based in Pittsburgh.
The firm was formed in 2007 by the merger of the Pittsburgh-based law firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart and Seattle-based Preston Gates & Ellis. The late William Gates Sr. of the Seattle firm was the father of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
They combined with the Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman firm in July 2008, adding offices in Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh.
K&L Gates has 1,845 attorneys and 1,842 staffers in 48 offices. That includes 119 N.C. lawyers and 106 staff members.
Ackermann has a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and a law degree from the University of South Carolina. She previously worked at Alston & Bird and Parker Poe in Charlotte.
Giovannelli joined Kennedy Covington in 1996. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a law degree from William and Mary Law School.
David Mildenberg is editor of Business North Carolina. Reach him at dmildenberg@businessnc.com.