Linda Perez Clark, managing partner of Kean Miller. Courtesy photo.

Linda Perez Clark, new managing partner of Louisiana firm Kean Miller, is the first woman to lead the 35-year-old firm, which has Texas offices in Houston and The Woodlands.

Clark, a partner in Baton Rouge, succeeded Blane Clark Jr. as managing partner on Jan. 1. (Linda Perez Clark and Blane Clark Jr. are not related.)

Clark said her main strategic goals are to continue the “forward-thinking” path Blane Clark set during his five years as managing partner, and focus on meeting client needs.

“So many law firms and the legal industry are subject to a constant state of disruption and change right now. We have a very strong footing,” she said.

With 157 lawyers and offices across Louisiana in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Lafayette and Lake Charles, plus the two in Texas, Kean Miller faces the same challenges most midsize firms are grappling with. A big one in Clark's view is deciding what technology the firm needs—and can afford.

“I try to keep a watchful eye on what technology we should have in place to serve our clients best. I get no less than a couple of emails a day with what sounds like fabulous technology offerings,” she said.

“I'd like to have it all,” Clark admits, but said the challenge is figuring out the “appropriate spend” for technology to help the firm's lawyers serve clients. She said the firm recently moved to new financial and practice management software, Aderent Expert.

“We are very excited about all it has to offer. It takes a lot of time when you pull in a new platform like that,” she said.

Clark, who joined Kean Miller as an associate in 2000, said diversity and inclusion is also important to her. Several years ago, she founded the Kean Miller Connection program, a two-day law school prep program for women and minority college students with an interest in the law. The goal is to build a pipeline of diverse associates. It's yielded fruit, she said, since two associates working at the firm are alumni of the program.

“I really just wanted to crack the code. I work at this fabulous firm. What can I do to attract more diverse candidates to work here?” she said.

Clark will continue her business, corporate, M&A and transactional practice while serving as managing partner.

Kean Miller opened its Houston office in December 2017, combining with Houston firm Ogden Broocks & Hall. Last  summer, Kean Miller expanded into The Woodlands by acquiring energy firm Dupuis & Polozola, which also added the office in Lafayette.

Further Reading:

Louisiana's Kean Miller Opens Houston Office

Kean Miller Expands With Acquisition of Dupuis & Polozola