Women rise to leadership positions at two firms.

Byline: Thomas Franz

A pair of Michigan firms recently announced landmark leadership changes as women received significant new roles.

Bodman PLC announced Carrie Leahy was appointed chair-elect of the firm's executive management committee.

Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC announced that its 2019 leadership team includes a record number of women with two female executive committee members and female leaders for three of the firm's seven practice groups.

At Bodman, Leahy will succeed Larry R. Shulman as chair Jan. 1, 2020. Leahy is the fourth chair of the firm and first female chair.

"It means a lot to me both from the perspective of being a lawyer here and from being a woman here," Leahy said. "It's an honor to be named the first female chair of Bodman. I think I'm joining unfortunately a small group of other women in terms of the national level, so my hope is that in 10 years or five years it's not as newsworthy that a firm is naming their first female chair."

Leahy has served as administrative member of Bodman's Ann Arbor office and serves on the firm's executive management committee and finance committee.

"Carrie is an effective leader and strategist who has excelled in all of her roles in firm management," Shulman said in a press release. "We are thrilled that she has accepted this new challenge and are confident that Bodman will continue to grow and prosper with Carrie at the helm."

In her practice, Leahy focuses on corporate and business law. She works with businesses on general corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, compliance with securities regulations, and issues involving venture capital funding.

When she begins her new role, Leahy said she will maintain her practice while working to accomplish her goals for the firm as chair.

"My plan in the next six months is to talk with my colleagues and work with our board and develop and refine what my specific goals are," Leahy said.

"We're looking to bring in a chief diversity officer. I would also like to continue our focus on our people. Our people are our most valuable resource here at the firm. We've been looking to expand our Grand Rapids office and we are building out some space there. That's going to be one of our chief strategic things we'll be working on."

Leahy joined Bodman in 2004 after beginning her career in the Chicago office of DLA Piper. She earned her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Leahy serves as a board member and treasurer for the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti...