WSHB Support Services, the management services organization supporting Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP, today announced that John Flannery, former Chief Executive Officer of GE and current Managing Director at Charlesbank Capital Partners (“Charlesbank”), has joined its Board of Managers.

WSHB Support Services was formed in October 2026, while simultaneously receiving a strategic investment from Charlesbank. Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP remains an independent law firm, with its lawyers retaining sole authority over the practice of law and client matters. As a management services organization (“MSO”), WSHB Support Services provides non-legal operational infrastructure and support to the law firm.

Mr. Flannery will serve on the Board of WSHB Support Services alongside Daniel Berman, Stewart Reid, Stephen Henning, and Kevin Smith, who are also members of the law firm’s Management Committee. Charlesbank investors David Katz, Mutian Rui, and Stephanie Lee will also be on the Board of WSHB Support Services. These appointments to the WSHB Support Services’ Board do not change the Management Committee of the law firm, which remains independently governed by lawyers.

Mr. Flannery spent most of his career at GE, where he most recently served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. His GE career began in 1987, and he held leadership positions in the United States, Latin America, and Asia, including CEO of GE Equity, CEO of GE Capital Asia, CEO of GE India, head of GE’s M&A and strategy process, and CEO of the $18B GE Healthcare unit. At Charlesbank, he works closely with CEOs and their teams across the portfolio to strengthen operating performance, strategy, and governance.

Mr. Flannery’s experience is directly relevant to what WSHB is building. He serves on the board of Aprio, a leading accounting firm also in the Charlesbank portfolio, which operates an alternative practice structure with a separate company supporting a licensed accounting firm, much like WSHB’s management services model supporting the law firm. Like WSHB, Aprio is a fast-growing professional services business where building a high-quality support services organization is central to growth. Mr. Flannery also serves on the boards of Penske and Tecomet.

“John’s experience, including on the board of a professional services firm with a similar structure, will make us much more forward-thinking as we continue to grow WSHB Support Services to best serve our clients and our lawyers,” said Daniel Berman, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of WSHB LLP and Chief Executive Officer of WSHB Support Services.

“In under three decades, WSHB has grown from a founder-led firm into one of the largest litigation defense firms in the country. That kind of growth takes extraordinary people and discipline. I’m looking forward to helping Dan and the team build upon this strong foundation to further accelerate growth,” said John Flannery, Managing Director at Charlesbank.

About Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP

Founded in 1997, Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP (WSHB) is a nationwide trial firm that has taken more than 2,000 cases to verdict. The Firm’s more than 550 lawyers in 43 offices represent the insurance industry and public and private companies, from start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, across a broad range of litigation practice areas. In addition to its trial skills, the firm’s longstanding embrace and use of technology, AI, and data metrics to assist in litigation management have distinguished the firm as an innovator in the industry. For more information, visit wshblaw.com or follow WSHB on LinkedIn.

About Charlesbank

Founded in 1998, Charlesbank Capital Partners is a leading middle-market private investment firm with over $22 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2026. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience and sector insights, the firm takes a thematic approach to investing across its target sectors: business and consumer services, healthcare, industrials, and technology. Charlesbank partners with talented management teams to help businesses unlock value and accelerate growth, with a focus on long-term value creation. With offices in Boston and New York, the firm provides flexible capital through complementary private equity and credit strategies. For more information, visit charlesbank.com or follow Charlesbank on LinkedIn.

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