Law Firm of the Year Finalist Troutman Pepper Locke and Chair Tom Cole Lead Firmwide Recognition in 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards

PHILADELPHIA – Law firm of the year finalist Troutman Pepper Locke, also shortlisted for M&A Practice of the Year, along with Chair Tom Cole, Deborah Spranger, Jessica Davis, and Laurenlee Dominguez, has earned recognition across multiple categories in the 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards, presented by The Legal Intelligencer and Law.com.

Troutman Pepper Locke is shortlisted for Law Firm of the Year and M&A Practice of the Year, while its attorneys and leaders are recognized for Managing Partner of the Year, Law Firm Innovators, Most Promising Newcomer, and Most-Effective Dealmakers, reflecting the firm’s continued momentum across leadership, innovation, and client impact.

Winners will be announced on June 11, 2026, at an awards dinner at the Hilton at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.

Finalists

Law Firm of the Year

Troutman Pepper Locke, with more than 200 attorneys and 200 business professionals across four Pennsylvania offices, is a finalist for Law Firm of the Year. The firm’s industry-shaping client work, sustained economic engagement across the state, and deep civic leadership have helped define Pennsylvania’s legal market while elevating the firm’s national profile.

M&A Practice of the Year

The firm is also shortlisted for M&A Practice of the Year, underscoring the strength and scale of one of the region’s leading transactional platforms. Troutman Pepper Locke has one of Pennsylvania’s largest transactional technology practices, advising companies on M&A, collaboration, and financing deals through a cross-disciplinary team of corporate, intellectual property, and regulatory attorneys.

Managing Partner of the Year – Tom Cole

Cole, Chair of Troutman Pepper Locke and based in the Philadelphia office, is recognized for steering two transformative law firm mergers within five years. His strategic, communication-focused leadership, emphasizing transparency, cross-practice connectivity, and seamless client service, has driven innovation, growth, and long-term institutional strength across the firm.

Most-Effective Dealmakers – Deborah Spranger

Spranger, leader of the Life Sciences Transactions Practice, is distinguished for her ability to achieve clients’ goals and consistently close deals. She is recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s most sought-after M&A advisors, known for aligning parties’ objectives to close complex transactions and deliver strategic value beyond deal size.

Law Firm Innovators – Jessica Davis

Davis, chief intake and conflicts officer, is acknowledged for her creative leadership in setting the firm apart in a crowded market. She leads efforts to manage risk while rapidly implementing generative AI tools, including Troutman Pepper Locke’s in-house platform Athena. As a member of the Generative AI Task Force, Davis ensures the firm adopts emerging technology quickly, safely, and in line with client policies.

Most Promising Newcomer – Laurenlee Dominguez

Dominguez, an associate in the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group, earned a spot for her exceptional potential, work ethic, and legal acumen. She brings a distinctive combination of intellectual rigor and practical insight to her work and is already being entrusted with high-profile, complex transactions.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.