Lippes Mathias LLP today announced that longtime partner and executive committee member Brian J. Bocketti has been appointed chief growth officer as part of the firm’s continued expansion and professionalization of its C-level leadership structure. 

In addition to his existing legal practice, this newly created role will see Bocketti identify, evaluate, and integrate potential mergers, acquisitions, lateral hires, and other strategic partnerships. His work will include conducting in-depth market analysis to target opportunities in key practice areas and geographic regions, leading due diligence efforts, and structuring transactions to align incoming attorneys and practice groups with the firm’s culture, operational systems, and client service standards. 

Bocketti will also play a central role in evaluating the long-term market positioning of the firm, working closely with leadership to assess trends in the legal industry, competitive activity, and client demands. 

The firm’s leadership has had great success utilizing a team approach while pursuing growth opportunities and driving a ten-year growth plan, which has included eight law firm acquisitions and numerous lateral additions. In recent years, this has included combinations with Ward Damon, PL, a full-service firm in West Palm Beach, Fla. (November 2024); CCBLaw, a Syracuse-based health care law boutique (June 2024); Andreozzi Bluestein LLP, a Buffalo-area tax controversy boutique (June 2023); and Fay Sharpe LLP, a Cleveland-based intellectual property boutique (January 2023). 

 

“Brian’s leadership and business acumen have been central to our growth trajectory over the past decade,” Kevin J. Cross said. “Formalizing this role allows us to devote dedicated attention to identifying opportunities that align with our strategy and ensuring successful integration.” 

With more than 25 years of mergers and acquisitions, transactional, and corporate experience, Bocketti has advised public, private, and closely held companies, as well as private equity firms, in matters ranging from day-to-day corporate counseling to complex strategic transactions. He has led deal teams in acquisitions and divestitures ranging from $50 million to $750 million and has worked with clients to structure businesses for growth through project finance transactions, contract manufacturing, and joint ventures. In addition, he serves as co-leader of the firm’s banking and financial transactions practice team, representing senior lenders, mezzanine lenders, equity sponsors, and borrowers in transactions up to $500 million, often involving complex financing structures. 

“Over the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of guiding clients through diverse matters and transactions that have reshaped their businesses,” Bocketti said. “I am excited to bring that same focus and strategic approach to my work as chief growth officer, identifying opportunities that strengthen our firm and position us to serve clients across an expanding range of needs.” 

Bocketti’s appointment follows the firm’s recent announcement of two other new C-suite roles: partner Amy Habib Rittling (chief legal officer) and partner Andrew M. Wilson (chief advisory officer). These positions join Lisa G. Decker (chief people officer), Thomas J. Gaffney (chief operating officer), Jennifer L. Greene (chief marketing officer), and Richard J. Rychlicki (chief financial officer) in the firm’s executive leadership team, which is led by Kevin J. Cross (chairman and managing partner). 

About Lippes Mathias LLP 

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm with 220-plus attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, Clarence, Albany, Long Island, New York, Rochester, Syracuse, and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Greater Toronto Area; Chicago, Ill.; Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla. and Washington, D.C., the firm represents publicly and privately-owned companies, private equity and venture capital firms, independent sponsors, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, governmental entities, and individuals. 

Ranked No. 204 on The National Law Journal’s NLJ 500 list of the largest law firms in the United States by attorney headcount, Lippes Mathias is proud to be recognized year after year by The Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA. For more information, visit www.lippes.com.