Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt has named Denise Gaskin as chief operating officer (COO). Gaskin began work on January 2.

“I am very excited to have Denise join us at Schwabe,” said Mark Long, managing partner at the firm. “In all the markets where we do business, we have been able to build a strong reputation based on the legal counsel we provide to the region’s top companies. I look forward to working with Denise in continuing to expand that reputation.”

As COO, Gaskin will be responsible for managing the overall business and operational functions of the firm. She will work with other firm leaders to develop and advance the strategic, financial and practice-management objectives of the firm and to ensure all administrative and operational departments function in a highly efficient, team-oriented and client-service-focused manner.

“I feel very fortunate to join such an esteemed firm,” said Gaskin. “Schwabe is not only known for their quality of service, but for the support they provide their employees and the communities in which they do business.”

Gaskin comes to Schwabe from the Asheville, N.C. offices of The Van Winkle Law Firm, where she also served as chief operating officer. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading teams within large organizations, as well as a track record of teaching and coaching attorneys and law enforcement officers.

Gaskin received her Ph.D. in Collaborative Learning from the University of Tennessee, her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Indiana University, and her B.S. in Exercise Physiology from Ball State University.