It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of John J. Conroy, Jr., former Global Chair of Baker McKenzie and partner of the Firm. We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to John's wife Cathy, his children, and extended family. Our thoughts also go out to the many colleagues and friends that had the privilege of working with John over the years. John was an exceptional and empathetic leader, a brilliant lawyer, and a mentor to many. He played a pivotal role in shaping Baker McKenzie into the leading global law firm that it is today. He will be greatly missed.
John began his legal career at Baker McKenzie in Chicago and became a partner in 1987. He quickly established a reputation for excellence in international banking and finance law, including project finance, with extensive experience as counsel to a variety of financial institutions and their intermediaries. John was elected to the Executive Committee of Baker McKenzie in 1998. The following year, he was elected US Managing Partner and later became North American Managing Partner, a position he held until he was elected Chair of the Firm in October 2004. He served two terms as Chair until 2010.
John held several other leadership roles throughout his time at Baker McKenzie, including Head of the Firm’s Global Strategic Initiatives, responsible for client relationship development, talent growth and CSR initiatives, as well as significant practice management roles, including Chair of the Global Banking & Finance and Major Projects steering committees and the North America Banking & Finance/Major Projects Practice Group.
John was as passionate about client relationship development and mentorship as he was about pro bono work. He was the recipient of the Pro Bono Institute’s 2020 Chesterfield Smith Award in recognition of his extraordinary dedication to pro bono over the course of his career. John, who received his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1979, was also the recipient of the Alumni Merit Award from the Northwestern Alumni Association, an award given to alumni for "high achievements in a profession or field of endeavor.”