Rochester, NY. Nixon Peabody LLP announced it has elevated Controller Jane Bernard to Chief Financial Officer of the AmLaw 100 firm.
“Jane’s skills, enthusiasm, and proven ability to help accelerate profitability have served her well as Controller, and I am confident she will excel in her new role,” said Rich McCarthy, Nixon Peabody Chief Operating Officer. “Having served as the firm’s CFO, I know firsthand that success in the role requires an unwavering commitment to our firm and our people. Jane has a strong track record in her career of building trusted relationships and cohesive teams.”
Nixon Peabody’s Finance team is responsible for ensuring fiscal responsibility through comprehensive financial planning, forecasting, and reporting, all while aligning financial strategy with the firm’s long-term business goals.
With experience across many different professional services sectors and a track record of incorporating effective procedures from different environments, Jane will focus on creating a service delivery model that positions the firm favorably in a rapidly changing marketplace. As she works to enhance Nixon Peabody’s fiscal strength and continued strategic growth, Jane will continue to explore ways in which the Finance team can optimize its service-delivery model.
Jane succeeds Susan Tripi as Nixon Peabody’s CFO. Susan, who will retire in March, has been a longstanding member of the firm’s Finance team and served as Controller for 18 years before becoming CFO. Rich, Susan, and Jane have collaborated closely in recent months to ensure a seamless transition.
“We’re incredibly grateful for Susan’s commitment to Nixon Peabody throughout her tenure with the firm, and we wish her all the best in retirement,” said Rich.
In addition to Jane’s promotion, Nixon Peabody announced that Rene Abbate has joined as its new Controller. These moves highlight a continued increase in the number of women in leadership positions at the firm. In 2025, Nixon Peabody also hired Tammy Franklin as the firm’s Chief Administrative Officer, who joined Chief Talent Officer Stacie Collier, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer Danielle Wuschke Paige, and Chief Human Resources Officer Tabitha Ross in the firm’s executive leadership team.
Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, Jane served as CFO at a national accounting firm and in financial leadership positions at several service-industry companies. She holds an MBA from the University of Rochester Simon Business School and a BS in accounting from Nazareth University.