National Law Journal Recognizes Lightfoot Managing Partner Melody Eagan as a 2018 ‘Elite Boutique Trailblazer’

November 4, 2018

Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC managing partner Melody Eagan has been named a National Law Journal Elite Boutique Trailblazer for 2018.

Each year, the publication recognizes legal industry leaders who have made an impact in the boutique sector through new types of strategies or innovative court cases. After extensive vetting and interviewing, the National Law Journal selected a handful of attorneys out of hundreds of nominations.

Eagan is profiled alongside the other honorees in the November issue.

Eagan has practiced law at Lightfoot for more than 20 years and is the firm’s first female managing partner. She focuses her practice on product liability and personal injury cases. Eagan serves as regional counsel for a number of clients and has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict throughout the Southeast. She served as president of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association and is a member of the Defense Research Institute, where she has served as a State Liaison for the DRI Women in the Law Committee.

Even before leading the firm as managing partner, Melody spent 23 years shaping it. She led associate recruiting efforts for several years and made diversity a priority. She also spent time on the associate committee, directly guiding how the firm’s younger lawyers are mentored and supported. As the first woman to serve on Lightfoot’s executive committee, Melody helped spearhead efforts that will shape the firm for years to come. She was involved in long-term strategic planning, and during her tenure on the committee, the firm also began a comprehensive client satisfaction program.

This is the second annual edition of the National Law Journal’s Elite Boutique Trailblazer recognition. Lightfoot founding partner Sam Franklin was honored in the award’s inaugural list in 2017.