A Letter from the President
June 24, 2025
Publication
I am writing today with a deep sense of both gratitude and humility to have had the opportunity to serve as president of Richards, Layton & Finger for the past three years. My tenure has been marked by outstanding opportunities and tough challenges—both anticipated and unforeseen. No matter the circumstances, I’m incredibly proud of how our entire firm has come together to meet them. As my term draws to a close, I want to share a few reflections and some exciting news about our future.
This past year we’ve achieved several significant milestones.
- We welcomed Judge Kent Jordan (ret.), formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to our firm, an experienced mediator who joined our Arbitration and Mediation group alongside Judge Kevin Gross (ret.), Gregory Williams, and other firm litigators. Kent’s practice also includes corporate, antitrust, securities, bankruptcy, and intellectual property litigation.
- Early this year, one of our attorneys was invited to assist a group of respected former members of Delaware’s judiciary and prominent academics to help draft reforms to Delaware’s corporate laws. The resulting legislation, SB 21, ensures that Delaware corporations have the information they need to make informed decisions, and provides corporations and their stockholders with the necessary assurance that our state remains and will remain the national leader.
- This past year has seen a major renovation of our offices at One Rodney Square, in the center of downtown Wilmington, where we’ve been for 45 years. The firm has grown from occupying a floor and a half and 30,000 square feet in 1980 to an exciting expansion occupying nearly 150,000 square feet on eight floors. Our expanded space features 250 attorney offices, a 3,000-square-foot fitness center, a wellness suite on each floor, four state-of-the-art conference and trial preparation centers, and a 4,000-square-foot café and adjacent patio, a premier gathering place for informal meals and meetings, a change of scenery, firm-wide celebrations, and town-hall style gatherings.
- Being in the office together after the challenges of Covid reminded us of the value we create when we work together as a team. To that end, we’ve implemented a hybrid schedule—four days in-office, one remote, with additional remote options during holidays—to maintain our high standards of client service and flexibility.
Most importantly, I’m pleased to announce that on July 1, Paul Heath will become our next president. Paul has been instrumental in shaping firm decisions as executive vice president. He’s a leader who listens, collaborates, and delivers for clients. While many know Paul as a stellar bankruptcy attorney, he brings unique strengths to his position as president. Paul is the consummate team player, promoting collaboration and trust among all. His client-focused belief that we are at our best when we work together means he will ensure that we continue to deliver the innovative counsel and successful results our clients depend on.
Paul will be joined on our firm’s new leadership team by Jeff Moyer, incoming executive vice president, and Matt Criscimagna, senior vice president. As is customary at the firm, Paul will continue his bankruptcy practice, representing debtors, secured creditors, purchasers, committees, and other parties in chapter 11 cases. Jeff will maintain his litigation practice, handling complex commercial and intellectual property litigation, and Matt will continue to advise clients on a wide variety of transactional matters involving Delaware alternative entities. I will now fully devote my time to my practice, advising and representing Delaware corporations, their directors, and other constituencies in corporate litigation.
Richards, Layton & Finger has been pushing the law forward for over 125 years. It’s been a privilege to serve. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together—and confident that Paul will carry that momentum forward.
With gratitude,
Lisa Schmidt
President
Richards, Layton & Finger