Former Dentons US CEO Mike McNamara leads legal advisory firm

He was a partner at Dentons for over 20 years

Former Dentons US CEO Mike McNamara leads legal advisory firm

Baretz+Brunelle (B+B), a growth advisory firm to businesses in the legal sector, announced the appointment of Mike McNamara as its first chief executive officer and partner.  

McNamara, who previously served as CEO of Dentons US, joins B+B and has over two decades of experience in executive leadership roles within the legal industry. During his tenure at Dentons, McNamara was instrumental in expanding the firm from its regional foundations in the Midwest to a multibillion-dollar enterprise.  

As Dentons’ CEO, he managed a region that accounted for nearly a third of Dentons’ worldwide revenue. His leadership saw Dentons through its most successful financial and operational periods, which included integrating nearly 50 offices across four continents and multiple strategic mergers and acquisitions. 

At B+B, McNamara is expected to leverage his extensive experience to enhance the firm's advisory services, which include talent intelligence and acquisitions, and its NewLaw practice, which assists law firms, companies, and investors in identifying opportunities around innovative technologies for delivering legal services and managing critical business functions. 

“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 expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “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.” 

Cari Brunelle, another co-founder of the firm, praised McNamara’s proven capabilities in navigating business disruptions and spearheading growth initiatives. “There is no better authority than Mike on how to confront disruption in the business of law and be incredibly successful,” Brunelle said. 

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