Earlier this month, David Graeler took over as managing partner of downtown-based Nossaman LLP. Graeler joined the full-service firm as an associate in 2003 and is chair of its litigation practice. Partly of Chinese descent, he is also Nossaman’s first minority managing partner. He succeeds George Joseph, who retired after 10 years as managing partner.
“I am very humbled at the responsibility that the partners have placed in me,” Graeler said.
Joseph hailed Graeler for his “unparalleled understanding” of the legal landscape.
“He is an effective leader and strategic thinker,” Joseph said. “I have the utmost confidence Nossaman will reach even greater heights under his stewardship.”
When the hiring committee began taking names for the position, Graeler said he initially was not interested, due to a desire to continue with his practice. After his colleagues repeatedly urged him to reconsider, Graeler said he reached out to others he knew at other firms who held leadership roles while still maintaining their practices. He said he learned what worked and didn’t work in those arrangements, and ultimately put his name in the hat.
“I very much enjoy practicing law and I didn’t want to stop doing what I enjoy,” Graeler said. “It’s also good for the firm if the managing partner still has a connection to the business of a law firm in a direct way. Based on my due diligence, I felt I could do it and do it well.”
Graeler has garnered recognition for his work as a litigator for the past 25 years, and his clients include the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles World Airports and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Nossaman this year opened two new offices in Arizona. Graeler said he aims to continue that growth while preserving its identity as a midsize player.
“We don’t have any intention of growing beyond a mid-size firm and we’re growing in areas that are our cores, what we’re known for,” he said. “There are not that many midsize firms around these days. There’s been so much consolidation of midsize firms and not many of them have been around as long as we have.”
