Zuckerman Spaeder Elevates Caroline Judge Mehta to Co-Chair Alongside Dwight Bostwick

Zuckerman Spaeder LLP is pleased to announce that Caroline Judge Mehta, a partner in the firm’s Washington, DC office, has been named co-chair of the firm’s Executive Committee and Partnership Board. Ms. Mehta, a nationally recognized white collar defense and investigations practitioner, will officially assume the role on January 1, 2024.

Ms. Mehta joins current chair Dwight P. Bostwick, who has served as chair since 2016 and as co-chair with Graeme Bush in 2015. Mr. Bostwick has steadily guided the firm as the legal industry faced disruption resulting from the pandemic. Under his leadership, Zuckerman Spaeder has maintained its prominence as a leading litigation, white collar defense, and investigations firm and a significant contributor to the communities in which it practices through extensive pro bono efforts.

During the year ahead, Ms. Mehta and Mr. Bostwick will share leadership responsibilities. At the beginning of 2025, and in the lead up to the firm's 50th anniversary, Ms. Mehta will become the sole chair of the firm. Mr. Bostwick will continue as a member of the management team, assisting in the transition of the firm to the next generation of lawyers and firm leaders. He will continue to maintain an active practice in complex civil litigation and white collar criminal work.

“I’m deeply honored that my partners have entrusted me with this significant responsibility,” said Ms. Mehta. “It has been a unique privilege to establish my career under the guidance of the firm’s founders, and to grow as a partner under the firm’s talented leadership. I look forward to continuing to build our firm’s strong legacy, and to bringing my perspective as a former in-house general counsel and chief legal officer to the important management decisions that lay ahead.” 

Ms. Mehta joined the firm over two decades ago as an associate and has since developed a widely respected practice – both internally and externally – representing businesses and individuals in administrative, regulatory, and criminal investigations. After rejoining the firm, following a two-year stint in-house at a global technology company, Ms. Mehta has assumed an important leadership role in a significant U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)-appointed monitorship, while maintaining an active white collar and investigations practice.

“Caroline is a tremendous colleague and friend. She is also the obvious choice to lead the firm moving forward. She has the qualities we value in our founders and in our most respected partners, associates, and staff. She is thoughtful, pragmatic, skilled, and empathetic. Her ability to lead and build consensus comes naturally,” explains Mr. Bostwick. “It’s rare, and a blessing, to have broad consensus around a leadership transition and we have that here. I’m excited to work with Caroline in our co-chair positions in 2024 and the firm will be in good hands as she takes the reins in 2025 and beyond.”

Roger E. Zuckerman, one of Zuckerman Spaeder’s founding partners, commented, “I have been fortunate to witness the firm’s growth in the capable hands of former chairs Graeme Bush and Dwight Bostwick. The opportunity to watch our long-time partner, Caroline, assume this challenge in the years ahead will be just as gratifying. The process and choice of Caroline to take this next step reflects how we’ve operated for nearly 50 years—hiring good people, who also happen to be exceptional lawyers, and working as a team to produce the best results.”