Former E&Y boss returns as Chadbourne COO

Chadbourne & Parke has hired the former global chief executive officer (CEO) of Ernst & Young (E&Y) as its new chief operating officer (COO).

Richard Bobrow replaces Aniello Bianco who is stepping down at the end of the year after 18 years as Chadbourne’s managing director.

Bobrow, 52, will take over responsibility for the New York-based firm’s overall operations, formulating executive strategy and will serve as an ex-officio member of the management committee.

Chadbourne managing partner Charles O’Neill said: "We intend to take full advantage of the exceptional industry leadership, depth of experience and strategic insight Rick brings to Chadbourne.”

Bobrow joined E&Y in 1976 and was admitted to the partnership in 1984. He was named Americas CEO in 2000, and became global CEO in 2002, retiring in 2004 to pursue other interests.

As global CEO he was involved in the successful global integration of Asian and European member firms of Andersen Worldwide.

Bianco joined Chadbourne in 1988 as managing director, and will continue as a full-time advisor to the management committee until the end of the year.

He said: “I view this as an incredibly successful conclusion to our succession planning program, and I look forward to working with Rick during this transitional period."