Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt PC announced that a longtime attorney who has spent over 25 years working out of the Pacific Northwest firm’s Portland, Oregon, office has been named its new chief executive officer.

Corporate partner Tom Tongue, who has been with Schwabe Williamson for the entirety of his 27-year legal career, was named CEO in late September, succeeding intellectual property Graciela Gomez Cowger, who spent the previous eight years in the role, the firm said Monday.

“I’m grateful for her guidance and the strong foundation she has built,” Tongue told Law360 Pulse. “I’ve been intentionally shadowing her for several months to learn and prepare to take over the role. It’s been a seamless and collaborative process, reflecting the firm’s commitment to continuity and strategic growth.”

Tongue, who graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law, also spent nine years on Schwabe Williamson’s board of directors and five as chair of the firm’s business practice group. He added that he currently serves on the California Casualty Insurance Group board of directors and spent five years on the board of the Oregon/Southwest Washington chapter of the March of Dimes.

“I am deeply honored to step into the role of CEO at Schwabe, a firm that has been my professional home for my entire legal career,” Tongue said. “Schwabe’s legacy of excellence, innovation and community impact is something I’ve always admired, and I’m excited to lead this next chapter. It’s a privilege to work alongside such talented colleagues who serve our clients and communities with the same dedication that has defined Schwabe for over a century.”

As he steps into the CEO role, Tongue said that some of the main areas of focus include continued targeted growth, streamlining the firm’s operations and attorney development.

“Schwabe has experienced significant growth in recent years, expanding its reach across the Pacific Northwest and deepening its expertise in key industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, consumer products, natural resources and more,” he said. “We’ve also strengthened our operating model to better align with the needs of our clients. This has enabled us to grow our revenue by about 50% since Graciela took the helm in 2017.

“Looking ahead, we’ll continue to focus on strategic growth, investing in our people, and enhancing the ways we deliver value to our clients,” Tongue said. “Our goal is to remain a trusted partner to businesses in the region and beyond.”

In a statement, Gomez Cowger said Tongue’s “business acumen, deep legal experience, and collaborative approach will be instrumental in guiding the firm into our next chapter of growth and service to our clients.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as the firm’s CEO and proud of what we have accomplished together,” she added. “Tom will build on this foundation with integrity and a steadfast commitment to our people and the communities we serve in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, California and beyond.”

Schwabe Williamson currently has around 170 attorneys across seven offices in Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington, according to the firm’s website. It also recently completed a renovation of its Portland headquarters, which includes an updated floor plan featuring amenities such as private wellness areas, collaborative spaces and an increase in client-focused offerings, the firm added.

“The recent renovation of our downtown Portland office is a reflection of our commitment to the city and the Pacific Northwest,” Tongue said. “The new space is designed to foster collaboration, innovation and well-being, featuring open collaboration zones, private wellness areas and client-focused amenities. It’s also a sustainable design, incorporating natural light, reusable materials, natural wood and efficient systems. This renovation represents our investment in our people, our clients, and the future of our community.” 

This article was originally published in Law360.