Anton R. “Tony” Valukas has decided to step down from the honorary role of chairman of Jenner & Block, and will continue as an active, senior partner of the firm. “In the coming years, I intend to remain an active practitioner, helping our firm to develop opportunities representing our clients and mentoring the next generation of lawyers, but I believe now is an appropriate time for me to continue a natural transition of my practice,” Mr. Valukas said. “I am very confident in the direction the firm is taking. We are firmly committed to our core values, have a clear strategy for the future, and a talented and committed leadership team.”

Various firm leaders commented on Mr. Valukas’ career. Craig C. Martin, chair of the firm’s Litigation Department said, “Tony has been and will continue to be a tremendous asset to our firm. He not only has practiced at the highest levels of our profession, but time and time again has embraced and embodied our commitment to pro bono work, community service and assisting those who do not have meaningful access to the legal system.”

Terrence J. Truax, the firm’s managing partner said, “Tony has been an extraordinary leader at Jenner & Block and in the broader legal community for decades. In the coming years, we will continue to rely heavily on his deep well of experience and insights, but we understand at this stage in his distinguished career, Tony wants to focus on servicing his clients and mentoring other lawyers. Everyone Tony mentors benefits from his experience as a lawyer as well as his deep and abiding commitment to giving back through community service, pro bono and the many private, unheralded one-on-one contributions he has made over the years. He has set a very high bar across the board.”

A recent recipient of The American Lawyer Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Valukas’ career includes many historic and important moments. In 2014, he led a highly complex internal investigation for the General Motors Company regarding events leading up to certain recalls stemming from faulty ignition switches. In 2009, Mr. Valukas was appointed as the examiner in the Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. bankruptcy, reputed to be the largest such case in U.S. history. The resulting account, coined by the press as the “Valukas Report,” was universally applauded for its clarity and usefulness in determining what brought about the demise of Lehman Brothers, an event many commentators point to as the precipitating event triggering the economic crisis of 2008.

Chambers USA has named him one of the leading U.S. litigation lawyers for eight consecutive years. In 2011, The American Lawyer magazine recognized Mr. Valukas as the “Newsmaker of the Year,” and in January 2012, named him “Litigator of the Year.” In 2009, Chicago Lawyer named him “Person of the Year.” In 2013, Mr. Valukas was recognized by The National Law Journal as one of “The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” and by Best Lawyers as “Chicago Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year.” He has also been recognized by Best Lawyers for more than 25 years.