Cravath Elects First Female as Leader

Cravath, Swaine & Moore has elected a new leader, the first female in its nearly 200-year history to hold the post.

Faiza J. Saeed, co-leader of its mergers and acquisitions practice, will replace C. Allen Parker when his current term as presiding partner expires on Jan. 1, the firm said.

Parker was in the role of presiding partner since 2013, the same year Saeed became co-leader of the mergers and acquisitions practice. Parker will return to counseling clients full time, the firm said.

Saeed will serve as deputy presiding partner until she takes over in January. She marks the firm’s ...