During his 38-year tenure with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Ron Beard developed keen insight into and experience with the leadership and management challenges facing international law firms. As Gibson Dunn’s Chairman from 1991 until 2001 and as its Managing Partner from 1991-1997, he garnered the respect of his partners as well as his industry peers for his impressive stewardship of Gibson during a period when its revenues grew from $250 to $550 million dollars.

As a partner in Zeughauser Group, Ron advises the leaders of law firms and corporate legal departments on strategy and long-term vision, on prospective mergers and their effective integration, and on law firm management issues such as partner compensation systems and the importance of client service programs. He also is a frequent lecturer on these subjects, as well as on the topic of corporate governance. During his tenure as Chairman and Managing Partner, Ron raised Gibson Dunn’s visibility in the marketplace and deepened its reputation for delivering outstanding client service.

At the same time he guided the firm’s expansion and its steadily increasing profitability, he also practiced in the firm’s Corporations Department, leading financing transactions of all types, including public offerings, private placements, venture capital transactions, mergers, acquisitions, and international joint venture and licensing arrangements. That ambidexterity as a leader and consensus builder and as a practicing lawyer informs his approach to consulting and makes him an invaluable counselor to the law firm leaders with whom he works. Ron holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Denison University and a law degree from Yale Law School. He recently stepped down as chair of Denison’s Board of Trustees and formerly chaired the Steering Committee of the California Minority Council Program.

Additionally, he is a member of the Board of the Constitutional Rights Foundation, Callaway Golf, Javo Beverage Company and Document Sciences Corporation, and a member of the Chancery Club and numerous other organizations.

Zeughauser Group is the firm of choice for legal industry leaders seeking to increase their competitive advantage and profitability, enhance market position, and strengthen organizational culture.