10/13/2010
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 13, 2010 – Walter Thomas “Tom” McGough Jr., will join the executive staff of UPMC as chief legal officer on Jan. 1, 2011. Currently, Mr. McGough is a partner with Reed Smith, where he also serves as a member of the executive committee and former chair of the litigation department. Mr. McGough replaces Judge Robert J. Cindrich, who has elected to step down as UPMC’s chief legal officer and is assuming other duties at UPMC. Judge Cindrich has served as chief legal officer since January 2004.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Mr. McGough received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, then clerked for Judge Collins J. Seitz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit and Justice William H. Rehnquist of the Supreme Court of the United States. He returned to Pittsburgh in 1980, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania before joining Reed Smith as an associate in 1982.
Early in 1987, Sen. Bob Dole, then minority leader of the U.S. Senate, appointed Mr. McGough associate counsel to the Senate Committee investigating the Iran-Contra affair. Mr. McGough returned to Reed Smith as a partner at the end of that year.
Mr. McGough has handled a wide variety of litigation, including cases in the health care industry. He is recognized in the Best Lawyers in America in five categories: Bet-the-Company Litigation, First Amendment Law, Commercial Litigation, Appellate Litigation and White Collar Criminal Defense.
“Tom McGough has exceptional knowledge, background and experience in the law,” said Jeffrey A. Romoff, UPMC president and CEO. “He is a lawyer of stature and gravitas, with great passion for the mission and values of UPMC.”
Reed Smith Global Managing Partner Greg Jordan said, “Tom is an outstanding lawyer, and has been a superb leader and valued partner at Reed Smith. We are pleased for him and expect that he will do great things for UPMC.”
Mr. McGough received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Princeton University. His civic and charitable positions have included service to WQED Multimedia, Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation, Dapper Dan Charities, Shady Side Academy and the Mayor’s Commission on Public Education, among others.
