Longtime attorney Melodie Rose has become the first woman president of Fredrikson & Byron , the law firm announced Friday. The board officially appointed her to the role earlier this week. Fredrikson & Byron is the largest law firm in Minnesota.

Rose adds to the growing number of women leading Minnesota’s major law firms. Earlier this year, TCB reported that women were leading one-third of the 15 largest law firm offices in the Twin Cities. In the United States, women held only 12% of managing partner roles in 2020, according to data from the National Association of Women Lawyers, so the state continues to outpace the national average of women representation in law firm leadership roles.

In addition to her 33 years of experience at the state’s largest law firm, Rose has served on Fredrikson & Byron’s board of directors, as chair of the firm’s business division, and on the firm’s elected compensation committee. She also co-chairs Fredrikson’s public companies and corporate governance groups. In addition, Rose also serves on the selection committee for TCB‘s recurring Outstanding Directors Awards program.

“I am honored to be selected by my colleagues to serve as president,” Rose said in the release. “I look forward to building on the strong legacy of John Koneck, to continuing Fredrikson’s dedication to clients, lawyers and staff by embracing innovative technologies and service models, and reinforcing a strong commitment to the communities where we live and work. I firmly believe that staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving legal landscape is key to delivering exceptional results to the firm’s diverse workforce and clientele.”

Rose is an expert in securities regulation and corporate governance. In an interview with the Star Tribune, she said some of her early actions in her new role will include trips to the firm’s Midwestern offices better know the firm’s employees and community.

After nearly two decades as firm president, John Koneck will turn the president role over to Rose while still staying on at Fredrikson & Byron as a practicing attorney. Rose’s appointment is “ushering in a next era of innovative leadership and vision for the firm,” according to a Fredrikson & Byron news release.

“The demonstrated dedication of Melodie to our firm, our clients, and our profession, her sharp business and financial acumen, combined with her years of leadership experience in our firm, will undoubtedly drive Fredrikson’s continued growth and success,” Koneck said in the news release.