After 28-Year Run, Big Law Chair Steps Down at 60

Gary LeClair, who founded the law firm LeClairRyan in 1988 and has run the firm as its chairman for 28 years, is stepping down.

LeClair, 60, is completing his final five-year cycle as chairman and on Dec. 31 will return to practicing full-time with his law firm and relinquish management responsibilities.

“At 50, you can pretend 50 is the new 40, but at 60, you can’t pretend that anymore,” said LeClair. “You suddenly realize there are more days behind you than there are ahead of you.”

LeClair said that the transition was part of a succession plan that had roots tracing ...