Long-time Firm Leader Wab Kadaba to Succeed Henry Walker at End of his Term

ATLANTA (MARCH 18, 2024) – – Kilpatrick announced today that Wab Kadaba has been selected as the firm’s new Chair-Elect.  Effective July 1, 2024, he will succeed Henry Walker who was elected Managing Partner in July 2012 and has served as Chair since 2013. Mr. Walker will resume his practice fulltime as a partner on the firm’s Complex Commercial Litigation Team when his current four-year term ends on June 30.

“It has been an honor and privilege to help lead this great firm for the last 12 years,” said Mr. Walker. “I am proud of what we have accomplished and very excited about the direction of the firm.  With my most recent four-year term coming to a close, I believe this is the right time to transition my leadership responsibilities to Wab.”

“Having worked closely with Wab for over 15 years, I know he has the right skill set to provide outstanding leadership to our firm,” added Mr. Walker. “He has held multiple, important leadership positions at Kilpatrick and exemplifies the firm’s core values. Wab is incredibly smart, strategic, and good with people.  He knows our firm as well or better than anyone.”

Mr. Kadaba is a member of Kilpatrick’s Management Committee and has chaired the firm’s high-profile, internationally recognized 300+-attorney Intellectual Property Department for over 11 years.  He previously served as Atlanta’s Office Managing Partner.

“First, I want to thank Henry for his leadership,” said Mr. Kadaba. “The firm experienced tremendous success under his watch while continuing to foster a collaborative, inclusive culture. Henry exemplifies the qualities of a servant leader.  I am excited to continue building on the momentum he created.”

An Atlanta native and graduate of Georgia Tech, Mr. Kadaba joined Kilpatrick in 2000 as an associate.  He concentrates his practice on litigation related to intellectual property as well as strategy and management of intellectual property and technology issues with considerable experience representing clients in patent, trade dress and trade secret litigation matters.   After receiving his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Mr. Kadaba received an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Mr. Kadaba is a community leader serving as a member of the Woodruff Arts Center Board of Trustees and a member of the Board of Trustees for Fernbank Museum and Natural History in addition to other high-profile positions throughout the business and legal communities.  He recently served as Alumni Board President for the Westminster Schools in Atlanta. For the past 15 years, he has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® and has twice been named “Atlanta Lawyer of the Year” by this prestigious organization – once for Patent Law and once for Intellectual Property Litigation. Mr. Kadaba is also annually listed in Chambers USA as a leading Georgia Intellectual Property lawyer where he is ranked "Band 1".  Since 2019, he has been selected by Atlanta Magazine as a member of its “Atlanta 500”, a notable list highlighting the city’s most powerful and influential leaders. In 2022, Mr. Kadaba was selected as a “Distinguished Leader” honoree in the Daily Report Georgia Legal Awards.

“Having been with Kilpatrick for nearly 25 years, it is a privilege to lead an international firm that counsels the world’s most innovative companies often at the forefront of technological innovation,” said Mr. Kadaba.  “Our firm is forward-looking and tech-focused, so we recognize the importance of staying abreast of changes impacting our clients by providing our attorneys and professional staff the tools to deliver cutting-edge service. This firm will always look to create a true collaborative partnership with our clients and with each other. I am incredibly optimistic about our future.”

Mr. Walker leaves a legacy of success and growth – overseeing Kilpatrick’s expansion into Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, Shanghai, and Beijing and 11 consecutive years of increased gross revenue as well as more than doubling its profits per partner. With a focus on client service and collaboration, the firm has continued to strengthen its well-known brand and recently launched an exciting new chapter in the brand’s evolution in November. A prominent leader in the legal and business community, the Atlanta Business Chronicle named Mr. Walker one of “Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs” in 2019 and honored him as an “Executive Champion of Corporate Citizenship in 2024”.  He is annually selected by Atlanta Magazine as a member of its “Atlanta 500” and one of "Georgia's 500 Most Influential Leaders" by Georgia Trend Magazine.  While serving as Chair, Henry continued to work on selective legal matters.  Among many other accolades. Mr. Walker was named a 2017 and 2023 "Atlanta Lawyer of the Year" for Technology Law by The Best Lawyers in America®. He is listed in the 2022 and 2023 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business as an "Eminent Practitioner" for General Commercial Litigation.

About Kilpatrick
Kilpatrick Townsend is trusted counsel to the world’s most innovative companies. To serve our ground-breaking clients, we strive to be at the forefront of client service, a leader in DE&I, and on the cutting edge of law and technology. With recognized strength in the technology sector and a full range of service offerings, we deliver practical, business-centric solutions built upon strong and enduring connections. 

Kilpatrick has offices in the eight of the 10 largest metro areas in the U.S. Overall, the firm has 18 U.S. offices and 22 offices worldwide.

Learn more at www.ktslaw.com and follow the firm on LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Media Contact: 
John Page | Director, Communications

jpage@ktslaw.com

###