NEW YORK, November 14, 2024 – Leading international law firm Proskauer is pleased to welcome Carol Sawdye as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective December 2, 2024. Carol will oversee the Firm's operations and its approximately 800 business services professionals.
"Carol is a world-class executive with extensive experience and expertise in making smart investments in talent, operations and strategic initiatives," said Tim Mungovan, Chair of Proskauer. "As we look toward our 150th anniversary, Carol's extraordinary track record of growing organizations through collaborative and strategic thinking will help us achieve even greater success."
Carol joins Proskauer from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she served as Chief Financial Officer. In that role, Carol oversaw the company's corporate finance initiatives, including the integration of a significant agency acquisition and the creation of Agency Operations, a new department created to drive profitable business growth throughout the organization. Prior to CAA, she was the Global Chief Operating Officer for a preeminent professional services firm, where she oversaw the budgeting, financial planning and investments processes. As COO, Carol drove the global investment strategy and collaborated with the global leadership team on the execution across the firm of significant HR, Finance and CRM systems implementations, development of data & analytics platforms and cybersecurity investments.
"As I thought about the next phase of my career, I could think of no better place for me than Proskauer. I have known the Firm and its team for many years, and there are few places with a culture where the desire to be great is as important as having the right people," said Carol. "I'm excited to join a firm with an unwavering commitment to excellence and collaboration, and I look forward to helping Proskauer grow its business and global reach."
"Carol has built and expanded corporate functions across industries throughout her career. She is the perfect fit to help guide our firm toward a future of continued growth and innovation," said Ira Bogner, Managing Partner at Proskauer. "Her extensive experience with global organizations will be an asset to Proskauer and will help to enhance client service while driving our long-term vision. I look forward to working closely with her."
Earlier in her career, Carol held the role of Executive Vice President and CFO for the National Basketball Association. During her time there, she oversaw the financial affairs of the NBA and its related entities. She also spent eight years at Skadden, initially as CFO and ultimately, as COO.