James Newell, who on Thursday succeeded Joe Dougherty as chairman and CEO of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, is looking to prioritize both growth and retention as he leads the Am Law Second Hundred firm into the future.

Selected for the position in January after holding several leadership positions in the firm, including serving as chair of the firm’s financial institutions, bankruptcy, and real estate section as well as participating in the compensation committee, the Pittsburgh-based Newell worked alongside Dougherty for the past four months as part of a transitional period.