Mike McNamara, Former CEO of Dentons US, Joins Baretz+Brunelle as Chief Executive Officer and Partner

NEW YORK — April 9, 2024 — Baretz+Brunelle, a growth advisory firm to businesses in the legal industry, announced today that Mike McNamara, former CEO of Dentons US, will become its first chief executive officer. McNamara joins B+B after more than a decade in executive leadership at Dentons, where he was a partner for over 20 years and propelled the firm’s growth from its Midwestern roots to its status as a global, multibillion-dollar enterprise. He will lead the continued evolution of B+B, expanding its unparalleled collaboration with firms, companies, innovators, and investors in the legal industry to achieve their growth goals. 

“Mike is a transformational leader whose addition immediately transforms Baretz+Brunelle,” said Spencer Baretz, co-founder of B+B. “No one is more qualified to advise growth-seeking clients than Mike, who has lived the experience in a way few have. His presence validates the quality of our work and strategy to date, enhances our insights on day one, and opens new paths for B+B’s future.” 

McNamara is widely known throughout the legal industry for his record of business results emblematic of his unique ability to assist organizations meeting large challenges — and understanding large business opportunities. Appointed as CEO of Dentons US in 2017 following six years as managing partner, he led a region that delivered nearly a third of Dentons’ global revenue. McNamara is a sought-after advisor to C-suite leaders, private equity and family office investors, legal technology innovators, and risk management consultancies. 

“I am here alongside Spence, Cari, and our team to build something new — and something needed,” said McNamara. “The legal industry is driving change in business sophistication, technology, and finance in ways we are only beginning to see accelerate. I am proud to become CEO of Baretz+Brunelle as we design and redefine the multidimensional support that high-performing organizations need today and tomorrow to succeed in this new legal economy. Our integrated growth offering simply does not exist in the market today.” 

Grounded in two decades of client-centric work, B+B focuses on the things that drive growth for businesses in the legal industry – reputation, talent, revenue, leadership, capital, and innovation. B+B recently expanded its advisory services to include Talent Intelligence & Acquisitions, offering a holistic approach to lateral hiring that mirrors strategic buyers of assets, and its NewLaw practice that assists law firms, companies, and investors in identifying opportunities around innovative technologies for delivering legal services and managing critical business functions.

“There is no better authority than Mike on how to confront disruption in the business of law and be incredibly successful,” said Cari Brunelle, co-founder of B+B. “His proven ability to build and lead teams through complex projects and aggressive growth makes him the ideal leader for B+B, and we are excited to have him join us.”

During McNamara’s tenure, Dentons achieved the best financial and operational performance in its history during the midst of the pandemic, acquired a storied 100+ Wall Street group, integrated nearly 50 offices across four continents in a first-mover transatlantic combination, closed a bicoastal merger, and executed five US transactions in 18 months to integrate operations and talent across 44 offices under a novel national law firm strategy. He also served on the Global Management Committee and the Global Board of Dentons.