Debevoise & Plimpton LLP today announces the appointment of litigation partners Maeve O’Connor and Michael Schaper as co-chairs of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group, joining co-chair Maura Monaghan. Together, they will lead one of the firm’s largest and most prominent practices, guiding clients through their most complex and high-stakes disputes. Mark Goodman, who has served as co-chair of the Group for over ten years, will remain active in client work as he steps down from the Group’s leadership role.
“We are deeply grateful to Mark for his exceptional leadership of our Commercial Litigation Group,” said Presiding Partner Peter Furci. “During his tenure, Mark helped build an exceptionally successful, highly respected and broad-gauged practice known for its strategic judgment, trial strength and ability to serve as a trusted adviser to boards and senior management facing their most significant legal and reputational challenges. We thank Mark for his many contributions and wish him the very best as he continues his active client practice.”
Mr. Furci added, “Maeve and Mike are outstanding litigators and natural leaders who are ideally positioned for this role. They bring deep experience, a seasoned perspective and an ability to draw seamlessly on the firm’s collective strengths that reflects the very best of Debevoise. I am confident they will continue to build on the Group’s strong foundation and deliver the market-leading counsel our clients expect.”
Ms. O’Connor is Co-Chair of the firm’s Securities Litigation Practice and Chair of the firm’s Insurance Litigation Practice and previously spent six years as a member of the firm’s Management Committee. She has significant experience defending securities litigation and representing financial services companies in complex litigation and regulatory matters. Ms. O’Connor is widely recognized for her strategic insight, courtroom advocacy and exceptional judgment, earning top-tier recognition from Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US and Benchmark Litigation, among others.
Mr. Schaper is Co-Chair of the firm’s Antitrust Practice who focuses on various types of antitrust and other complex civil litigation, as well as merger review and other antitrust counseling. He is recommended for his Antitrust practice by The Legal 500 US (2025). Mr. Schaper has been involved in numerous antitrust litigations, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in merger, monopolization, unfair pricing practices and price-fixing cases.
The firm’s Commercial Litigation Group is one of the strongest in the industry, consistently delivering outstanding results for its clients. Routinely noted for its depth of expertise, strategic judgment and creative solutions, the team is well-known for addressing the most complex, challenging and high-profile matters across a diverse range of industries. The Group handles domestic and cross-border disputes of every kind, including securities and derivative actions, contract disputes, products liability and mass torts, antitrust, insurance disputes, employment, bankruptcy, environmental litigation, mergers and acquisitions, professional liability, and matters involving corporate governance.