Troutman Pepper Locke Named Finalist in Three Categories for The American Lawyer’s 2026 Industry Awards 

NEW YORK – Troutman Pepper Locke has been named a finalist in three categories for The American Lawyer’s 2026 Industry Awards: firm Chair Tom Cole for Managing Partner of the Year, Best Use of Technology, and Lauren Hancock Miller for Most Promising Newcomer.

The awards honor outstanding achievements across the legal industry over the past year. Troutman Pepper Locke’s recognition in three different categories reflects the firm’s leadership, strong technological innovation, and developing the next generation of legal talent.

The winners will be announced at an awards reception on November 12, 2026, in New York.

Finalists

Managing Partner of the Year – Tom Cole

Cole is recognized for leading two transformative law firm mergers within five years. His client-centric, communication-focused leadership helped drive the firm to $1.85 billion in revenue in its first year, with double-digit growth across net income, revenue per lawyer, and profits per equity partner, while cultivating a culture of deep collaboration across the combined firm.

Best Use of Technology

Troutman Pepper Locke’s Knowledge Management and Innovation team, working alongside John Emmanuel, Zach Lerner, and Matt Cossu of the Insurance Transactional and Regulatory Practice Group, is nominated for developing the firm’s interactive Surplus Lines Dashboard. Launched in September 2025, the weekly updated portal gives U.S. and international carriers and brokers an at-a-glance view of regulatory changes across all 50 states, providing the kind of real-time clarity that has traditionally been out of reach in this space.

Most Promising Newcomer – Lauren Hancock Miller

Miller, an associate in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy, and Enforcement Practice Group, is shortlisted for her significant impact early in her career. Since joining the firm in 2024, she has argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, helping enable 1.2 million additional veterans to access education benefits, and served on the team that obtained a rare stay from the U.S. Supreme Court in high-stakes redistricting litigation.

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.

• Insurance Transactional + Regulatory
• Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement