Williams Mullen names new CEO and president

Calvin W. “Woody” Fowler Jr. has been elected the next CEO and president of the law firm Williams Mullen.

Fowler, who serves as practice group chair and chair of the firm’s litigation section, will succeed Thomas R. Frantz as CEO on April 1.

Frantz will continue to serve as chairman of the board and expand his legal practice focused on business planning, succession and corporate transactions. He also will continue to promote Williams Mullen’s leadership role in regional and statewide economic growth initiatives.

“During the last five years, we have seen unprecedented disruption in the practice of law,” Frantz said in a statement. “Woody represents our next generation of leadership and is the perfect person to help our firm continue to adapt to our clients’ rapidly changing needs in today’s economy.”

Frantz became CEO in 2010 and chairman last year.

Founded in Richmond, Williams Mullen has more than  225 attorneys, economic developers and government relations professionals in 10 offices in Virginia, North Carolina  and Washington, D.C.

Fowler has led the firm’s litigation section for 11 years., one of the firm’s two largest practice groups. About two years ago, he was appointed practice group chair, a position that oversees all of the firm’s practices.

The firm said Fowler also has been the driving force behind firm initiatives designed to improve the efficiency, cost effectiveness and quality of services to clients.Fowler will continue to be a practicing litigator when he becomes CEO..

“I am honored to take on this new leadership role,” Fowler said in a statement. “It is both a challenging and exciting time for the legal industry.  At Williams Mullen, we will continue to understand our clients’ businesses, anticipate our clients’ needs, and deliver quality services in ways that provide outstanding value.”