Downey Brand elects Janlynn Fleener as new managing partner

A new leader will be at the helm of the Sacramento area's largest full-service law firm starting in 2023. Fleener will replace Scott Shapiro, who has held the top position at the firm since 2014. She joined Downey Brand in 1993, the same year she obtained her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. "The managing partner is the CEO of the partnership, but that position alone doesn't define the firm, that comes from our partners." She has served as chair of the firm's Litigation Department since 2014. Fleener said Shapiro will remain with the firm and is returning to the full-time practice of law. I'm certainly happy to be that particular pioneer, but our firm historically has had many women in the partnership and in management positions," Fleener said. "It was more of an eventuality than a breakthrough. I've never felt that being a women was an impediment at the firm." The firm provides counsel in more than 50 areas of civil practice, including agriculture, bankruptcy, business planning, complex litigation, construction, employment, energy, environmental law, family law, intellectual property, real estate, tax, trusts and estates and water law.