Stein Sperling appoints first CEO as it looks to continue growth

After decades of growth, Rockville-based law firm Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC felt it needed to change its organizational structure to help it operate more efficiently.

Originally thinking it was looking for a chief operating officer, the firm realized a CEO made the most sense. Tara Mobley was recently selected to be the first CEO of the firm, bringing a history of leadership experience with her to the firm.

Growing and evolving

Founded in 1978 with just a handful of attorneys, Stein Sperling has grown to more than 60 today.

“We’ve now reached a point where we view the right CEO as an opportunity to take our firm forward — to continue our strategic growth plan and responsibly professionalize our operation — and bringing Tara Mobley on board is a way for us to be proactive as we move forward,” said Managing Partner Jeff Schwaber.

Schwaber cites “big picture” challenges affecting the legal industry — from artificial intelligence, to cybersecurity, to changes in office norms in the aftermath of COVID-19. “These all feed into our strategic vision for the future — a 10-year plan that Tara is helping us spearhead and one which I’m very excited about,” he said.

The appointment marks a significant milestone for the firm.

“I’m only the second managing partner in our history. The firm has always been run by the managing partner with the help of other partners,” Schwaber noted. “To have a professional of Tara’s caliber onboard allows us to rethink management — remove certain responsibilities from the managing partners and shift those to a CEO — to restructure ourselves from within.”

Schwaber explained that bringing on Mobley will free up time for the lawyers at the firm to do what they do best.

“It will enable us to be more present and attentive to our clients,” said Schwaber, adding that Mobley will assist in positioning the firm to better serve clients through technology and strategic hiring.

A proven track record

Mobley most recently served as CEO at Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C., where she led the organization toward sustainable profitability and growth.

Her background spans finance, human resources and operations across banking, manufacturing, technology, public accounting and professional services. Before her role at Knox Law, Mobley was vice president of operations at Crosstree Capital, a global health-sciences M&A firm.

Mobley has also served as a governor-appointed member of the Judicial Conduct Board, underscoring her commitment to ethical oversight in the judiciary.

According to Schwaber, Stein Sperling was initially seeking a COO, but meeting Mobley changed that. The firm began rethinking the decision, which eventually led them to bring her on as CEO.

“It’s a very culture-driven law firm and to think about someone who didn’t grow up here (Mobley is from Erie, Pennsylvania), it was a scary thought as a firm — it’s certainly something that we didn’t take lightly,” Schwaber said.

Mobley, for her part, emphasized outcomes.

“Across my career and community service, my focus has remained constant: building strong, resilient organizations that achieve meaningful results and deliver lasting value to clients and the community,” she said

Luxury turned necessity

Schwaber said what the firm once viewed as a luxury, is now viewed as a necessity.

“Having someone like Tara onboard — whose job it is to think about and act on all of the things that lawyers try to squeeze into their schedules, while also serving their clients — will help us maintain our competitive advantage,” said Schwaber, adding that big law firms are beginning to move in the same direction. “In my view, it’s an increasing trend moving forward,” he said.