South Jersey-headquartered law firm Archer & Greiner P.C. announced a major leadership transition, naming partner, veteran trial lawyer, and former Philadelphia City Solicitor Shelley R. Smith as the managing partner of its Philadelphia office, effective Oct. 1.
Smith succeeds Patrick Doran, who has served as the Philadelphia office’s managing partner since 2023 and will now transition into a senior leadership position within firm President Marc Rollo’s Cabinet.
Smith brings an extensive background in public-sector matters, complex litigation, and institutional leadership to her new role. She joined Archer in 2016 following an eight-year tenure as City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia under Mayor Michael Nutter—marking the longest term in that office’s history. During her tenure, she represented the mayor, City Council, and every municipal agency, board, and commission, cultivating a deep network across Philadelphia’s civic, legal, and business landscapes.
Within Archer, Smith is a partner in the firm’s Business Litigation and Labor and Employment groups, where she counsels corporate clients on commercial disputes, workplace compliance and investigations, and civil rights litigation. Additionally, she serves as the firm’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and is a nationally recognized speaker on post-2023 legal developments surrounding diversity and affirmative action. As a seasoned trial attorney, she has tried more than 60 federal civil jury trials to verdict.
“Shelley knows Philadelphia in a way very few lawyers do,” Rollo said. “She brings an exceptional combination of trial experience, institutional knowledge and relationships across the city’s legal, business and civic communities. She is an outstanding choice to lead our Philadelphia office as we continue to build an increasingly connected platform across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.”
With strong operational headquarters in Voorhees, Archer is uniquely positioned across the Delaware Valley. Smith’s appointment aligns with the firm’s broader strategy to seamlessly connect its lawyers, resources, and clients across state lines.
“As a lifelong Philadelphian whose roots here go back to the 1700s, I care deeply about this city, and I’m excited to help lead Archer’s Philadelphia office at an important point in the firm’s growth,” Smith said. “Our clients’ needs don’t stop at the Delaware River, and neither do the talent and deep experience we can offer them.”
Smith’s appointment follows months of intentional succession planning and organizational growth under Rollo, who stepped into the role of firm president on Jan. 1. Alongside Smith taking the helm in Philadelphia, Archer has instituted new leadership for its New York and Delaware offices, appointed five new practice group leaders, and realigned key sectors such as Business Litigation, Corporate Compliance, Investigations & Criminal Defense, and Sports & Entertainment.
