Alabama’s Lightfoot, Franklin & White, a regional litigation firm with a national practice advising universities and other higher educational institutions, has appointed Melody Hurdle Eagan as its first female managing partner.

Eagan, a products liability partner based in the 67-lawyer firm’s Birmingham headquarters, will assume her new post on Jan. 1, 2018. She will replace fellow litigation partner Wynn Shuford, who has led Lightfoot Franklin for the past four years.