Bernstein Shur Names New CEO

PORTLAND, ME, AND MANCHESTER, NH – After a successful national search, Bernstein Shur has hired Kaveri Subbarao as the firm’s new chief executive officer.

Subbarao is a dynamic and accomplished business leader with over two decades of experience in legal and business environments where she has led strategic growth.

In her role as global executive director of Strategic Growth and the Litigation Practice at Clark Hill, Subbarao has been responsible for driving revenue generation, enhancing profitability, and optimizing practice performance across the firm. By implementing innovative strategies and focusing on expanding client relationships, she has differentiated the firm from its competitors and positioned it for continued advancement.

“Kaveri has an incredible depth of experience as a lawyer and a business leader,” said Kate Knox, a shareholder at Bernstein Shur who led the national search for CEO. “She’s smart, passionate and innovative, and she has built an amazing reputation as someone who empowers others and inspires them to achieve. Kaveri has the experience to understand both complex legal concepts and to develop results-driven business strategies for our firm and its clients.”

Subbarao will begin her new role at the firm on Feb. 10. She replaces Joan Fortin, who announced her retirement as CEO in May.

“I am extremely honored to have been chosen to lead Bernstein Shur in its next era of success and growth,” Subbarao said. “The foundation built by Joan and all the leaders before her is tremendous. I look forward to carrying on their legacy, expanding on their accomplishments, and championing our wonderfully talented people as we take our firm to new heights.”

In addition to her eight years with Clark Hill, Subbarao was a principal with Gallasia Inc., her own consulting firm, where she served clients in interim executive roles. Before starting Gallasia, she was the chief strategy officer and general counsel for Elias/Savion and Velocity Broadcasting, Inc., and the chief marketing officer and corporate and media/entertainment attorney at Cohen and Grigsby P.C. (now a part of Dentons). She started practicing law at Reed Smith, LLP where she was a corporate and media/entertainment attorney. Subbarao began her professional career at the Exxon Mobil Corporation where she worked full-time while going to law school.

Subbarao earned her JD from the Washington College of Law at American University. She received an executive management and leadership certificate from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University. She earned a BA in political science and international economics from Wheaton College (MA).

She was an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business, and an adjunct professor of undergraduate and graduate business studies at Chatham University.