David Boies, left, and Jonathan Schiller, right, with Boies Schiller Flexner. Photo: Steven Laxton

Boies Schiller Flexner is revamping its senior leadership, elevating two longtime partners to serve as managing partners alongside name partners David Boies and Jonathan Schiller.

Boies, whose controversial work for clients such as Harvey Weinstein and Theranos has drawn widespread criticism, will continue in his role as both chairman and managing partner, according to recommendations by the firm's executive committee, which described the changes as part of a long-term transition process.

In an internal Dec. 9 email to partners, the executive committee nominated New York-based Nicholas Gravante and London-based Natasha Harrison to join Boies and Schiller as managing partners.

Both Gravante and Harrison are members of the firm's executive committee and have agreed to accept the roles, if the firm's partners approve. Gravante is also a member of a four-person management committee that was created by the firm last year to take over day-to-day leadership duties from Boies and Schiller.

Gravante, who has been the firm's general counsel and the administrative partner of its New York City office, has been with Boies Schiller since 2000 and works on white-collar defense and complex commercial litigation. Harrison, who leads the firm's London office, joined the firm in 2013 from Bingham McCutchen and has worked for hedge funds, banks and other clients in major disputes.

"Natasha and I are excited by our possible new roles as the firm takes the next step in its ongoing transition to the next generation," Gravante said in a statement. "While we all hope that David and Jonathan will continue in their roles as leaders of the firm for many years to come, as a result of their efforts the firm is well prepared to carry on the traditions they created."

The nomination comes as Boies' reputation has taken blows. While his cases have included high-profile matters like the representation of Al Gore in litigation related to the 2000 election, he came under intense fire for his efforts to kill unflattering stories about Weinstein, who is now facing sex crime charges, and Theranos, whose top officials have been accused of fraud by federal authorities.

Most recently, The New York Times reported this month on Boies' interactions with a mysterious man who claimed to have access to sex tapes shot at Jeffrey Epstein's mansion. The firm has defended Boies' actions and said The New York Times misquoted Boies at points.

Earlier this year Boies Schiller named new leaders in several of its U.S. offices, in a move that it also called part of a "continuing transition of the firm's management and leadership."

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