MLA Places Robert J. Spagnoletti as CEO of the D.C. Bar

Hanover, Md (June 7, 2017) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world's leading legal search firm, announces the placement of Robert J. Spagnoletti as the new chief executive officer of the D.C. Bar. Robert assumes the position following the retirement of CEO Katherine A. Mazzaferri after almost 35 years of service at the Bar. The search was led by Deborah Ben-Canaan, partner in MLA's In-House Practice, and Amanda K. Brady and Rod Osborne, global practice leader and managing director, respectively, for MLA's Law Firm Management Practice.

Robert has considerable experience in criminal, civil, and domestic law. He was the attorney general for the District of Columbia from 2003 to 2006, where he provided leadership to 700 attorneys and support staff and counseled the mayor, D.C. Council and D.C. Courts. He also successfully conducted a thorough management review of the D.C. Attorney General's Office and restructured its operations.

Robert has been a partner at Schertler & Onorato, LLP since 2006, where he has developed litigation strategies for clients in a wide variety of criminal, civil, and domestic cases, as well as represented individuals under investigation by local and federal government agencies. From 2008 to 2009, he was president of the D.C. Bar.

"Robert's experience, especially his previous work as the first D.C. attorney general and as a former D.C. Bar president, makes him the perfect fit for this prestigious position," said Annamaria Steward, president of the D.C. Bar. "The search committee and the D.C. Bar board of governors invested significant time and energy in finding our next CEO. We are thankful for their strong commitment to the D.C. Bar."

Robert also has considerable experience in legal and government ethics. He was the first chair of the D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability and was responsible for building the office that enforces the ethical code of conduct governing the executive and legislative branches of D.C. government.

As the new CEO, Robert will be responsible for leading the D.C. Bar through its 2020 strategic plan and major initiatives, including relocating to its new headquarters in the Mount Vernon Triangle by late 2017.