January 2026: 

The MLO Minute: “A Note of Appreciation and Advancement in our Legal Family!”

By Dennis McAndrews, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner Emeritus — 

On December 31, our wonderful Chief Executive Officer, Katie Ryan, will begin to enjoy a much deserved retirement from her position as our CEO. Katie has been an incredible rock and blessing to our firm over the past eight years, and has steered us through a pandemic, multiple changes in the legal landscape in which our firm practices, the advent of Artificial Intelligence and its evolving impact upon the legal landscape, and the constantly changing world of technological advancements. At all times, Katie has addressed every major issue which confronted our successful law firm with insight, wisdom, dignity, and decency. We are grateful that Katie will remain as part of our law firm as Of Counsel as we enter 2026. Thank you Katie!

On January 1, 2026, Michael Connolly, our Supervising Partner for Special Education, will become our Chief Executive Officer and will assume the responsibilities which Katie Ryan has so capably held. Michael has been an outstanding leader of our Special Education team, which is the largest and most experienced group of professionals doing that important work in any law firm throughout the country. He has handled every major  issue with the highest level of competence, all while holding down a large caseload in his own right. All of our shareholders enthusiastically endorsed Mike as the successor to Katie Ryan, and he will have everyone’s complete support as we move forward into the New Year. Congratulations, Mike, and we know you will do a great job for us and for the people we serve!

All of us at our firm wish you a wonderful 2026!