Hugh Tanner

About Hugh Tanner

Hugh provides strategic consulting and recruiting services to individual partners and partner groups in the lateral marketplace as well as representing law firms in connection with growth objectives, office openings, and law firm mergers. Hugh brings a 40 year legal career as a highly regarded lead trial attorney focused on complex commercial and mass tort litigation and also has decades of law firm management experience honed at three Am Law 100 firms.Before joining MLA, Hugh served on the Executive Committee of Winston & Strawn. In addition, he was Chair of Winston’s Oil & Gas Litigation Practice and served on their Compensation Committee during 2018–2023. Previously, Hugh was Managing Partner of the Houston Office of Morgan Lewis & Bockius helping steward office growth from 4 to 90 attorneys and garnering recognition as “Texas Litigation Department of the Year” during his 2008–2018 service. Hugh began his legal career at Norton Rose Fulbright where he served as Commercial Litigation Team Leader. While there, he was a trial partner dually assigned to NRF’s Litigation and Tax Sections during 1985–2008. Most recently, Hugh was a trial partner with Texas’ largest law firm, Jackson Walker, from 20••••25.Hugh played a pivotal role as lead counsel for Schlumberger, the world’s largest oil field services company, during the Deepwater Horizon investigation and legal proceedings. Hugh led the Deepwater Horizon trial team that secured the complete dismissal for the client at the close of the plaintiffs’ case. Hugh’s trial experience includes a diverse range of cases ranging from complex commercial to mass tort to white collar crime. Beyond litigation, Hugh counseled corporate boards and management on issues of risk management, litigation strategies, and corporate governance. Hugh has been recognized as an Acritas Star Lawyer, a BTI Client Service All-Star, a Law360 Environmental MVP, and among The Best Lawyers in America. Lawdragon has also recognized Hugh among their 500 Leading Lawyers in America, and the Houston Business Journal listed Hugh as part of Who\'s Who in Energy.Outside of his legal career, Hugh has a deep passion for youth baseball and softball. He has served on the Board of Directors of Little League International for two decades, including ten years serving as Chair and Vice Chair. Little League is the world\'s largest youth sports program serving two million players in over 80 countries around the world. While Chair Hugh led the successful effort to bring the island nation of Cuba into the Little League family.

Experience

1. Managing Director

   Major, Lindsey & Africa

   Aug 2025 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   Major, Lindsey & Africa is the world’s leading legal search firm. Founded in 1982, the firm offers specialized recruiting services to meet the evolving legal and governance needs of law firms, corporations, and individuals seeking to advance their careers in the legal and governance sectors. With over 27 offices and more than 200 search consultants globally, Major, Lindsey & Africa leverages its extensive market knowledge and experience to partner with organizations in fulfilling their legal and governance talent requirements and to provide solutions for increasing team efficiency and effectiveness. Major, Lindsey & Africa is a part of Allegis Group, the global leader in talent solutions. To learn more about Major, Lindsey & Africa, visit and follow MLA on LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram.

Education

• University of Mississippi

  Bachelor of Business Administration - Accountancy, Accounting

  1976 — 1980

• University of Mississippi

  Juris Doctor, Law

  1982 — 1985