Beth Friel has joined Nelson Brown & Co. as vice president and people officer.
In this position, the firm said, Ms. Friel will lead its human resources, talent acquisition and development, compensation and employee benefits, and employee communications functions.
Ms. Friel will report to Kevin Toth, Nelson Brown's executive vice president and chief operations and strategic officer, and will serve as a member of the firm's executive team. She will work out of Nelson Brown's suburban Philadelphia and New York City offices.
Ms. Friel previously served as director of employee relations for Cigna. Prior to that, Ms. Friel served as the senior vice president of human resources for Harleysville Insurance.
Ms. Friel is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and Temple University School of Law. She began her career as an employment lawyer at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads and as a law clerk to Judge Bruce W. Kauffman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
“Beth is an exceptional people leader,” said Mr. Toth. “She has a distinguished track record of building talent and culture. She recognizes that people are not resources – they are the competitive differentiator and lifeblood of an enterprise.”
“We are fortunate to add another insurance industry executive – one who understands both what clients demand from their law firms as well as what it takes to continue to draw top talent” said Mike Nelson, the chairman of Nelson Brown. “As we advance on our journey of becoming the top global law firm to the insurance industry, Beth will work closely with Kevin to ensure that our talent and culture continue to meet the evolving needs of insurers around the world.”
“I'm excited to join Nelson Brown as it moves into the next phase of its strategic plan,” said Ms. Friel. “World class organizations are successful by attracting and retaining exceptional talent and building dynamic cultures – this firm has made a unique commitment to continuing to differentiate itself through the quality and depth of its people.”
Learn more: http://www.nelsonbrownco.com/.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].