“Run a law office” seemed like a faraway, crazy idea early in Joann Gallagher Jones’ career. But someone saw leadership traits in her and planted that seed of an idea. When she was later presented with the opportunity, Jones took a leap and went for it.
“When I was a very young law associate, a mentor told me I could run a law firm one day,” Jones recalled. “I thought she was crazy — then. The biggest risk I took later in my career was saying ‘yes’ when I was first offered the opportunity to lead at my firm. I was a young mother with three children and trying to balance all that with being a successful lawyer, and they wanted me to run the office. But I decided to say ‘yes’ and figure it out later.”
Jones is the managing partner at the Atlanta office for BakerHostetler, one of the nation’s largest law firms with clients around the globe. The firm has more than 1,000 attorneys and six core practice groups: Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Litigation and Tax. Within those groups are several large practices, including antitrust, bankruptcy, healthcare, energy, middle market mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial litigation, data privacy and security, patent prosecution and international tax.
In six years, Jones has grown office revenue by 400%. “Under her leadership, the lawyers and staff and office camaraderie flourish, associates blossom into strong attorneys in their prospective industries, partners are regularly challenged, and new practices are frequently added to better meet the needs of clients throughout the greater Atlanta area,” the firm said.
Before coming to BakerHostetler, Jones was managing partner at the Atlanta office of the law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP. As an attorney with three decades of experience in the real estate and healthcare industries, Jones has been recognized with a number of awards. She was named to The Legal 500 United States (2019, 2021), Recommended in Real Estate Chambers USA: Real Estate in Georgia (2016 to 2022), and The Best Lawyers in America (2017 to present).
Under Jones’ leadership, BakerHostetler’s Atlanta office contributes to a number of nonprofit organizations. Some examples include Atlanta Legal Aid, Atlanta Women’s Foundation, Atlanta Community Food Bank, South Asian Bar Association, Hands On Atlanta, Stonewall Bar Association, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Jones has served on the board of a local independent school for over 20 years, served as a Girl Scout leader, and contributed meaningful pro bono legal services to many nonprofit organizations over the years.
“Joann’s positive personality is infectious and contributes to driving the attorneys and staff toward success,” her team said.
“Joann’s titan status is demonstrated by the extent of her practice, which includes helping a major hospital system assemble real property in strategic markets and development of medical campuses, resulting in increased market share. Her major clients also include nonprofits, skilled and assisted living facilities and local educational institutions (secondary school and college).”
