Wiley Rein Names New Chairman and Managing Partner

Effective January 1, 2012, Wiley Rein's partnership has named Richard E. Wiley Chairman of the Firm and Peter D. Shields to serve a three-year term as Managing Partner.  Reporting to the Chairman, Mr. Shields will help execute Wiley Rein's business strategy and day-to-day operations. 

Mr. Wiley, who has served as the Firm's Managing Partner since its inception in 1983, is not new to the title of Chairman, having once served as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.  He leads Wiley Rein's preeminent 80-member Communications Practice and is widely regarded as the nation's top communications lawyer.

Mr. Wiley said, "I look forward to continuing to work with Peter Shields to ensure Wiley Rein's future growth and success.  Peter is an outstanding lawyer and a trusted and highly effective Firm leader.  He will serve with considerable wisdom and distinction."

Mr. Shields has held a number of leadership positions within the Firm and has been a partner in its Communications Practice since 1997.  Like Mr. Wiley, he is a past President of the Federal Communications Bar Association, and has almost 25 years of experience working with clients across the communications industry.  

Of his new role Mr. Shields said, "I have had the pleasure of working closely with Dick Wiley since joining the Firm and look forward to our continued collaboration.  The Firm is very much a reflection of Dick's vision and values, and I am honored to help carry on his tradition of excellence."

In keeping with the precedent set by Mr. Wiley, both he and Mr. Shields will remain active in their professional practices while holding their new management positions.