Kyle Lachmund Sworn In as Delaware Vice Chancellor

State of DE - The Delaware Court of Chancery has a new member on its bench. Kyle H. Lachmund took the oath of office as Vice Chancellor on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

The swearing-in was a small, private event. It took place at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington.

His appointment marks a milestone for the court. Lachmund is the 46th judicial officer named under the Delaware Constitution in the court's 234 years.

Lachmund earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon. He then went on to law school at New York University School of Law, where he finished magna cum laude.

His first job out of law school brought him to the same court he now serves. He worked as a law clerk for Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster.

From there, he spent more than three years at the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. In February 2021, he moved to Richards, Layton & Finger in Wilmington.

At Richards, Layton & Finger, he worked in the Corporate & Chancery Litigation practice. He was promoted to Director in that group in July 2024.

Much of his work as a private attorney took place in the Court of Chancery. He argued many cases in front of the same court he has now joined as a judge.

Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick, who leads the court, shared her thoughts on the new Vice Chancellor.

"I am thrilled to welcome Vice Chancellor Lachmund to our bench," said Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick. "His extensive experience litigating before the Court of Chancery will be invaluable to the Court and those we serve."

Lachmund steps into the seat once held by Morgan T. Zurn. She left the Court of Chancery after she was sworn in as a Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court on July 29, 2026.

Justice Zurn spent ten years with the Court of Chancery. She served as a Magistrate in Chancery from 2016 to 2018, then as a Vice Chancellor from 2018 to 2026.

Lachmund said joining the court has special meaning for him, since it is where he first started as a lawyer.

"It is the honor of a lifetime to serve on the Court where I began my legal career," said Vice Chancellor Lachmund. "I look forward to working alongside my distinguished colleagues and to continuing the Court of Chancery's tradition of delivering fair and efficient justice to all litigants."

We would like to congratulate Vice Chancellor Lachmund on his new role with the Delaware Court of Chancery.