The national law firm of Foley & Mansfield today announced that Virginia Easley Johnson, Managing Partner of the firm’s Miami and Tampa Bay offices, has retired effective January 1, 2020. On her departure, partners Kevin O’Connor and B. Kyle Morley have stepped into the roles of Managing Partner in the firm’s Miami and Tampa Bay offices, respectively.
Throughout her years litigating cases, Virginia has tried multiple cases to verdict and managed caseloads consisting of thousands of claims at a time. As the firm’s first female managing partner, she opened its Miami office in 2003, and was named to the equity partnership the following year. Johnson also served on the firm’s executive committee, and organized Foley & Mansfield’s annual service trip, most recently assisting with infrastructure in rural West Virginia.
“Virginia came to Foley & Mansfield as a leader. She continued to lead by example. She has been an invaluable partner since her arrival,” said founding partner Kyle B. Mansfield. “She has left an indelible mark on our firm. Her ability to motivate, mentor and develop a new generation of lawyers is perhaps her greatest strength. She will be missed, but her legacy will live on through others.”
New Miami Managing Partner Kevin O’Connor joined the firm in 2009 and was named to the equity partnership in 2016. He also serves as chair of the firm’s medical malpractice group. With more than 30 years of litigation experience, Kevin has served as lead counsel in more than 250 jury trials throughout the state of Florida.
Construction litigator B. Kyle Morley, who joined the firm in April of 2018, takes over the helm of Tampa Bay operations and also leads the firm’s Florida construction defense team. With more than 10 years of complex civil litigation experience, Morley has significant experience litigating matters in state and federal courts throughout Florida, and is also licensed in New York and the District of Columbia.
“While Virginia Johnson is certainly a tough act to follow, the talent and drive both Kevin and Kyle bring to the firm will no doubt benefit us well into the future,” added Mansfield. “We look forward to working with them to continue to strengthen our presence throughout Florida.”
