Paul Hastings New Boss to Fill ‘Big Shoes’ After Surprise Ascent

Paul Hastings is getting a new leader for the first time in more than two decades. It wasn’t supposed to be Frank Lopez.The firm last year gave the job to Ronan O’Sullivan, a London deals lawyer and then 16-year Paul Hastings veteran, it confirmed. Chairman Seth Zachary had groomed O’Sullivan, 49, for the post.Months later, Zachary told firm partners O’Sullivan decided against taking the role for ‘personal reasons.’ Zachary threw his weight behind Lopez, 47, a New York securities lawyer who had been with the firm for just more than two years.