Chicago—Dentons is pleased to announce that Mary Ann Hynes, formerly Senior Vice President, Counsel to the Chairman and Chief Compliance Officer of Ingredion, Inc., has joined the firm as senior counsel in Chicago. Hynes was the first woman to serve as general counsel of a Fortune 500 company.

Hynes will work with Dentons lawyers and professionals across industry sectors to advise public and private corporations on governance, risk management, mergers & acquisitions and international ventures. She has extensive experience in the mining and minerals, aerospace, food and industrial products, natural resources, commodity and media/software industries. She served as a member of the Advisory Manufacturing Council to the US Secretary of Commerce.

Hynes served as senior vice president, general counsel and chief legal officer for IMC Global Inc. of Lake Forest, Ill., from 1999-2004. She previously was senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for Sundstrand Corporation of Rockford, Ill., from 1998-99, and general counsel/chief legal officer for Wolters Kluwer U.S. Corporation in Riverwoods, Ill., from 1996-98. Hynes joined the legal department of CCH Incorporated, also of Riverwoods, Ill., in 1971, established the law department in 1978 and served as vice president and general counsel from 1979-95, becoming the first woman to serve as general counsel of a major corporation.

Throughout her career, Hynes has focused on expanding opportunities for women in law and championing the cause of diversity in the legal profession. Her achievements inspired InsideCounsel to create the Mary Ann Hynes Award, given annually to female general counsel who help drive the advancement of women in the legal world.

"We are thrilled and honored to welcome one of the leaders of the legal profession to Dentons," said Mary Wilson, head of the Chicago office. "The standard Mary Ann has set as a general counsel, businessperson and advocate for women's empowerment has raised the bar for all of us. We are thrilled that she will share her expertise and insight with our lawyers and clients."

Hynes also serves as a corporate director. "Mary Ann's business acumen makes her an invaluable advisor to clients. She focuses first and foremost on achieving strategic objectives and minimizing risk. That's the value Dentons is committed to providing to clients," said Mike McNamara, Dentons' US Managing Partner.

"Dentons' dynamism and vision is evident every day, most recently with the global expansion," said Hynes. "I will be working with a host of talented lawyers and professionals to address clients' needs around the globe and here at home."

Hynes received an Executive MBA. from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Business, a LLM in Taxation and JD from John Marshall Law School, and a BA from Loyola University.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com