DeVane Tidwell, Former Law Firm Partner and Senior In-House Counsel, Joins MLA as Director in Atlanta

Hanover, MD (October 20, 2016) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world's leading legal search firm, today announced that W. DeVane Tidwell has joined the firm as a director in the Partner Practice Group in the Atlanta office. In this role, DeVane focuses on representing individual law firm partners and partner groups in the lateral market with an emphasis on the Atlanta and Charlotte markets.

DeVane has nearly 20 years of combined law firm and in-house experience. Prior to joining Major, Lindsey & Africa, he was a partner in the Charlotte office of Helms Mulliss & Wicker, now a part of McGuireWoods. His practice focused on securities and mergers and acquisitions, serving corporate clients, including Bank of America Corporation and its subsidiaries. He then enjoyed a successful career in Atlanta as a vice president and division general counsel at Newell Brands, a worldwide marketer of consumer and commercial products. In this role, he managed the legal affairs for two of Newell's largest operating divisions.

"DeVane has a valuable blend of experience that allows him to be keenly aware of the specific career objectives of law firm partners and the needs of their corporate clients," said Kirsten Vasquez, partner and executive director, Law Firm Recruiting – West Region. "His background as both a law firm partner and a senior in-house counsel presents a very rare set of skills, not commonly found in the recruiting industry. His many years of experience will benefit both law firms and the talented partner candidates they seek, and we are delighted he has joined the firm."

DeVane received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his B.A. from Davidson College.