August 21, 2025 – Elizabeth J. Sher, a litigation partner and general counsel at Day Pitney LLP, has built a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, culminating in her role as a key leader at the firm. In a recent Law.com feature, Sher shared her journey to leadership, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the firm’s collective success over individual ambition. Her insights offer a roadmap for attorneys aspiring to leadership roles in Big Law, particularly in the context of today’s competitive talent landscape.
A Career Rooted in Excellence and Service
Sher, based in Day Pitney’s Parsippany, New Jersey office, is a seasoned trial and appellate lawyer known for representing clients in complex commercial litigation across the United States. Her practice includes handling professional liability disputes, directors and officers liability defense, and consumer class action defense. Since 2018, she has served as the firm’s general counsel, advising on conflicts, ethics, risk management, and compliance while providing leadership to the firm’s Executive Committee.
Her path to leadership began with a strong academic foundation, earning a B.A., summa cum laude, from Brandeis University and a J.D., cum laude, from New York University School of Law. Admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Supreme Court, Sher has built a reputation as a “lawyer’s lawyer,” recognized for her integrity, professionalism, and legal acumen. Her accolades include the 2023 NJBIZ ICON Award, the 2025 Professional Lawyer of the Year Award from the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey (AFBNJ), and inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation from 2006 to 2025.
Key to Leadership: Prioritizing the Collective
In her Law.com Q&A, Sher emphasized that leadership is about focusing on the firm as a whole rather than personal gain. “Focus on the whole and not just yourself,” she advised, highlighting the importance of aligning individual efforts with the firm’s broader goals. This philosophy has guided her tenure as general counsel, where she navigates complex ethical and strategic challenges to support Day Pitney’s growth and client service mission.
Sher’s approach involves fostering collaboration and mentorship, particularly for women and diverse attorneys in a historically male-dominated industry. Her rise to partnership over 20 years ago, alongside three other women at Day Pitney, made national headlines, underscoring her role as a trailblazer. She credits her success to assuming a seat at the table, delivering exceptional work, and building trust through consistent client service.
Strategic Contributions to Day Pitney
As general counsel, Sher provides strategic direction to Day Pitney’s 300-plus attorneys across 13 offices, from Boston to Miami. Her leadership extends beyond the firm, as evidenced by her presidency of the AFBNJ in 2021–2022 and her recent appointment to the Lawyers Advisory Committee of the Third Circuit Judicial Council. She also founded Day Pitney’s litigation “boot camp,” a nearly 30-year program training litigators, and has taught advocacy programs for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) across the U.S., UK, and Japan.
Sher’s external leadership roles amplify her impact. As a prolific writer and co-editor of ALM’s New Jersey Federal Civil Procedure, she has shaped legal practice in the Third Circuit. Her volunteer work as a mediator for the Morris County Superior Court and her involvement with the New Jersey State Bar Association further demonstrate her commitment to the broader legal community.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Sher’s advice for attorneys seeking leadership roles is practical and rooted in service:
- Engage in Committee Work: Involvement in firm and external organizations builds skills and visibility. Sher’s roles in the AFBNJ and Third Circuit committees exemplify this approach.
- Prioritize Client Service: Understanding clients’ needs and delivering practical, high-quality advice fosters trust and strengthens professional relationships.
- Mentor and Collaborate: Supporting colleagues, especially younger attorneys, creates a culture of growth and loyalty, aligning with the firm’s long-term success.
- Embrace Professionalism: Sher’s 2025 Professional Lawyer of the Year Award reflects her commitment to integrity and excellence, qualities she urges others to emulate.
The Bigger Picture: Day Pitney’s Leadership Strategy
Sher’s leadership aligns with Day Pitney’s broader strategy to remain competitive in the Am Law 200, where it ranks #165 with $221.4 million in revenue and 341 attorneys. The firm has made strategic hires, including former Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justices Chase T. Rogers and Richard Robinson, to enhance its litigation and appellate capabilities. These “boomerang” and high-profile hires reflect Day Pitney’s focus on blending institutional knowledge with fresh expertise, a trend Sher champions as general counsel.
Posts on X highlight the broader context of law firm leadership, emphasizing the need for emotional intelligence and collaboration—qualities Sher embodies. One post noted the importance of leaders navigating complex situations without ego, a sentiment echoed in Sher’s focus on the collective good.
Looking Forward
Elizabeth Sher’s journey to law firm leadership underscores the power of dedication, collaboration, and a client-centric approach. As Day Pitney continues to grow, her role as general counsel and mentor positions her as a pivotal figure in shaping the firm’s future and inspiring the next generation of legal leaders.