Warshaw Burstein names Thomas Filardo as co-managing partner alongside Frederick R. Cummings Jr., marking a leadership shift

New co-leader announced: Filardo joins Cummings at the top

Warshaw Burstein announced that Thomas Filardo will serve as co-managing partner with Frederick R. Cummings Jr., the firm said in its announcement on Dec. 11, 2025. The move names Filardo to share the job of running the firm with Cummings, and the change takes effect with the announcement date. The two will jointly oversee strategy, operations and client relationships going forward.

From practice leader to co-managing partner: Filardo’s path and role

Filardo joins the firm’s top team after a long run leading key practices and teams. He has been a central figure in the firm’s litigation efforts and has led high-profile matters for corporate clients. In his new role he will be responsible for daily management tasks, shaping firm strategy, and helping set priorities for the litigation bench—while still staying connected to important client work.

Filardo’s background combines courtroom experience with internal leadership. Colleagues describe him as a steady operator who has modernized case teams and helped bring in new business. Those strengths were likely part of the reason partners selected him to share management with Cummings: the firm wants someone who understands both the demands of big cases and the realities of running a multi-practice law firm.

Fifteen years at the helm and a governance shift

Cummings has led Warshaw Burstein for about 15 years, a stretch that saw the firm navigate changing client needs and a tougher market for legal services. His tenure has been marked by growth in litigation work and by an emphasis on client continuity. Moving to a co-managing model signals a deliberate change in governance—a way to spread responsibilities, bring fresh energy to firm leadership, and create a clearer succession path.

Firm governance at many law firms is evolving. Shared leadership lets firms balance the workload of running a business with the demands of practicing law. For Warshaw Burstein, the new arrangement is a steadying step: it pairs Cummings’ long experience with Filardo’s recent management accomplishments, and it gives partners a visible route to contribute to decisions about hiring, compensation and practice investments.

What this means for clients and the litigation group

For clients, the change is likely to feel familiar rather than disruptive. Filardo’s rise from litigation leader to co-managing partner suggests the firm plans continuity: the litigation team remains a priority, and clients can expect the same faces on important matters. Where clients may notice a difference is in the firm’s attention to operational improvements—case staffing, use of technology and cross-practice coordination—which often come from leaders who split time between management and client work.

Inside the litigation practice, partners and associates can expect clearer lines of oversight and potentially faster decision-making on resources. Filardo’s experience running teams could mean a sharper focus on bench strength and on delegating work so senior lawyers can handle the most complex parts of cases.

How the wider legal market may read this appointment

Peers and market observers will likely see the appointment as a conventional but sensible step. In a market where clients demand predictable service and firms face pressure on margins, shared leadership reduces risk of burnout at the top and helps with succession planning. Locally, the move reinforces Warshaw Burstein’s standing as a firm that keeps its litigation capabilities central while adapting its management model.

Legal recruiters and competitors will watch whether the co-managing structure leads to more client wins or new lateral hires. For now, the appointment reads as continuity with a mild tilt toward modernization and operational steadiness.

Effective date, key lines from the announcement and next steps

The firm’s press release, issued Dec. 11, 2025, says the arrangement is effective immediately. The announcement notes that Filardo will share leadership duties with Cummings and highlights their joint focus on client service and internal development. The firm indicated a transition period in which both leaders will work closely to hand over responsibilities and align priorities.

Anyone interested in more detail can consult the firm’s public statement or contact the firm directly for specifics about practice coverage and partner roles under the new leadership.

Sources

• prnewswire.com