American Lawyer names new editor

Robin Sparkman, the executive editor of American Lawyer, has been named its editor, replacing Aric Press, who has been its editor since 1998 and is taking a vice president position with its parent company as part of a restructuring.

Sparkman was named deputy editorial director for American Lawyer Media’s national publications and executive editor of The American Lawyer in 2008. Previously, she spent six years as editor in chief of ALM’s Corporate Counsel, a sibling publication.

She is a noted speaker on legal and journalism issues, and served as a final round judge for the National Magazine Awards. Before joining ALM, she spent five years as an editor for the business and opinion sections of MSNBC.com, where she was one of the founding members of the website. She is also a former reporter for Newsweek, covering terrorism, the United Nations and politics. Sparkman is a magna cum laude graduate of Wellesley College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Press will head legal content development and will serve as overall manager of the new editorial structure. He will continue to be deeply involved with all ALM national content, including writing commentary for The American Lawyer and overseeing the national news staff. Sparkman will oversee the large law firm content team.

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