Dentons reshuffles management team

Newly appointed CEO Mike McNamara replaces current co-chief executive officers Jeff Haidet and Peter Wolfson, who will both assume chair positions at the law firm.

Global law firm Dentons has reshuffled its management team as part of a “planned transition process following an unprecedented period of growth, integration and expansion,” according to a statement from the firm.

Mike McNamara has been named US chief executive officer. He currently serves as the firm’s US managing partner and takes over the role from co-CEO’s Jeff Haidet and Peter Wolfson.

Dentons has established private equity and real estate practices. The firm counts KKR, AXA Private Equity, Bridgepoint, TPG Real Estate, Tishman Speyer and Blackstone among its clients.

Following the appointment Hadiet will become US chair and Wolfson will serve as global vice chair. Both will remain members of the US and global boards and Wolfson will continue his legal practice.

The appointments become effective January 1 2017.

McNamara, who joined the firm 14 years ago, has served as US managing partner for five years. During this time he has lead Dentons through multiple phases of development in the US, including the firm’s 2015 merger with McKenna Long, according to the statement. He is one of the founding partners and past chair of the firm's public policy and regulation practice.

Haidet – a deal lawyer – served for more than a decade as chair of McKenna Long, which subsequently merged with Dentons, which he joined in 1985. Haidet advises on domestic and international commercial transactions for a variety of corporate clients, including private equity firms. He has experience in transactions and financial structuring, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and industry consolidations.

Wolfson, who is part of the firm's restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy practice, joined the firm 15 years ago and has been centrally engaged in virtually all of the firm's growth initiatives, according to the statement.