David McManus

I counsel boards, C-suite executives, private equity sponsors, and general counsel through the workforce decisions that shape enterprise value.As Global Leader of Morgan Lewis’s Labor & Employment Practice, I lead more than 300 lawyers worldwide advising on high-stakes corporate transactions, executive leadership transitions, and complex workplace crises. My work sits at the intersection of employment law, corporate governance, and business strategy—where legal risk and reputational exposure demand clear, decisive action.Clients turn to me to guide them through mergers and acquisitions, cross-border transactions, and enterprise restructurings, leading workforce risk assessments, executive compensation and retention strategy, restrictive covenant planning, and post-transaction workforce integration. My approach is pragmatic and business-focused, aligned with long-term growth and value protection.I also advise on confidential C-suite matters, including executive hiring and separations, governance challenges, and sensitive internal crises involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, or financial impropriety. In these moments, discretion, sound judgment, and steady leadership are critical.With more than 30 years at Morgan Lewis, I have served in multiple senior leadership roles, including the firm’s Advisory Board and Compensation Committee, and I lead our Global Workforce, Workforce Change, and Crisis Management teams.Under my leadership, our Labor & Employment Practice has been named Law360’s Employment Practice Group of the Year seven times. I am ranked by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 and am a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.I help organizations navigate change with confidence and protect what matters most.(The views expressed are my own and not those of Morgan Lewis.)