Much has changed in the legal world since Steve Good began his first term as Gardere’s managing partner back in 2000. Under Good’s leadership the firm doubled its profits, expanded its expertise and added new offices, among other things.

Facing a term limit that would have prevented Good from serving a third term as managing partner, Gardere’s Management Committee realized that a shake-up at the top was unnecessary and voted instead to waive the partnership agreement in his case and allow him to serve another term. The popular Mr. Good will now continue as managing partner until 2017.

The decision to extend his term was an “overall vote of confidence” in the work Mr. Good has done since becoming Managing Partner, according to committee member Eric Blumrosen. Gardere has seen its profits more than double under Mr. Good's leadership. In that same period, the firm also went from three offices to four as he was instrumental in adding the Austin office which provides legislative and regulatory services. The firm also has offices in Dallas, Houston and Mexico City.

"In this job, you want to look around at the end of the day and see success not only for your clients, but also for your fellow lawyers and employees,” says Mr. Good, who also maintains an active tax practice at Gardere.