Stoel Rives Elects Melissa Jones for Second Term as Firm Managing Partner

Sacramento, Calif.—Stoel Rives, an AmLaw 200 firm, announced today its partnership has ratified the appointment of Melissa Jones as firm managing partner for a second four-year term, which begins on January 1, 2024. Jones is among a small, but growing, group of women leading AmLaw200 law firms and is the second woman in the firm’s history to serve in its highest leadership position.

“It is an honor and a privilege to continue in my role, entrusted by my partners to lead this firm into the future,” said Jones. “Three years ago, I was ten weeks into my first term when the pandemic shut down the world as we knew it, and I had to create a new playbook for firm management. Now, I look forward to leading Stoel as we continue to expand our ability to provide top-tier legal services to our clients.”

As the firm managing partner, Jones is responsible for operational management and execution of the firm’s strategic business plan. Her numerous leadership roles at the firm include serving on the Executive Committee since 2019 and the Compensation Committee since 2016 (serving as the Chair in 2018). She previously served on the firm’s Practice Management Committee and as Managing Partner for the firm’s California offices.

“Melissa’s deft leadership, keen business insights, and compassionate approach have been critical to our performance over the past three years,” said Kevin Pearson, chair of Stoel Rives’ Executive Committee. “She managed us through the pandemic to our highest revenue and most profitable year in 2021. We look forward to building on the momentum that we have generated for our firm and our clients.”

Jones is a trial lawyer who represents clients from a broad range of industries in civil litigation matters, including agribusiness, food and beverage, and oil and gas. She established the firm’s California Proposition 65 practice and has represented Fortune 500 clients in complex business litigation and governmental enforcement disputes.

A leader in the legal community for nearly two decades, Jones previously served as President of the Sacramento Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Chair of the Eastern District Conference, Board Member for Women Lawyers of Sacramento, Board Member for the Alumni Association for UC Davis School of Law, and Member of the Eastern District’s Judicial Advisory Committee. She earned her J.D. in 1999 from the University of California, Davis School of Law.

“Stoel Rives is well positioned to grow in our market, offering clients top-quality legal services and counsel at a great value,” said Jones. “Our platform, geography, and commitment to both long-term careers and good quality of life has brought many BigLaw lawyers to our door step, and we will continue to attract exceptional talent and expand our high-value client work.”