Lauren McKenna, Philadelphia Office Managing Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
In an interview with Invest:, Lauren McKenna, managing partner of the Philadelphia office of law firm Fox Rothschild, discussed the impact of the firm’s recent relocation in Philadelphia, and key trends shaping the industry. “The economic environment, not just in Philadelphia, but nationally, continues to be very challenging,” McKenna said.
What changes over the past year have most influenced your practice and the firm’s strategic priorities?
Our Philadelphia office made a transformative move in October 2024 after more than 40 years in our prior location. Relocating 350 attorneys and professionals was no small task, but the result has been energizing. The new space was tailored to reflect modern workplace dynamics. We wanted to encourage collaboration and support hybrid schedules, while also providing an environment that feels open and inspiring. It’s a design that balances efficiency with warmth.
I think the move was emblematic of how Fox Rothschild approaches change — with an eye toward creating environments where our people, and by extension our clients, can thrive.
What significant trends are shaping the legal industry, both regionally and nationally?
The economic climate has been challenging across the country, yet Fox Rothschild recorded an 11% increase in revenue in 2024 and rose in the Am Law 100 rankings. That kind of growth, during a period of economic headwinds, speaks volumes about the resilience of our clients and the adaptability of our firm.
In Philadelphia, we’re seeing the city and the region become a hub for life sciences, biotech, and healthcare investment. Those sectors are fueling demand for legal services, and we’ve aligned our practices accordingly. Nationally, we’ve expanded in high-growth areas such as cannabis and gaming law. These are heavily regulated industries that are still evolving, and our lawyers are on the front lines helping clients navigate both the risks and the opportunities.
Which services are driving your practice now?
As a firm, we’ve always positioned ourselves in the middle market, where clients know they’ll get top-tier quality without the overhead that can come with the largest global firms. Many of our lawyers get to know their clients’ businesses so well that they understand all of their needs and can quickly connect them with the right Fox lawyer to handle whatever issue arises. That balance of excellence and efficiency resonates, especially in today’s environment where every business leader is measuring return on investment.
What role are technologies like AI playing in the legal industry?
AI is a powerful tool, but it’s no substitute for judgment. At Fox Rothschild, we’ve built a framework for using AI responsibly, from research to drafting, while ensuring that safeguards are in place. Technology can improve speed and efficiency, but clients hire us for our insight, advocacy, and relationships. Those are irreplaceable. We see AI as supporting the practice of law, and maybe even enhancing it in some ways, but definitely not replacing the human intelligence that is the core of what we do.
What significant trends are you seeing in real estate litigation?
Fraud has become one of the biggest issues in real estate-related disputes. Title insurance companies, for example, increasingly face challenges from sophisticated electronic fund transfer fraud. My own practice has involved preserving and clawing back multimillion-dollar assets diverted through these schemes.
Our real estate department also continues to see steady work in eminent domain. We represent landowners when government entities pursue takings. Those matters remind us that, while the mechanics of fraud may evolve with technology, the fundamentals of property rights and government power remain ever-present and deeply consequential.
What are your top priorities for the firm in the Philadelphia office for the next three to five years?
Philadelphia is home to Fox Rothschild’s oldest office, and my priority is to elevate its profile while ensuring it reflects the strength of our national platform. We are deeply engaged with the Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Corporate Counsel, building bridges between the business and legal communities.
With our new office, we now have a physical space that reflects a post-pandemic vision of work — flexible, collaborative, and centered on client service. Over the next several years, my goal is to make sure our Philadelphia presence continues to be a driver of the firm’s national success story.
