Salt Lake City—Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar announced today that Joshua E. Little has been named Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Firm. Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar is the Utah member of Dentons, the world’s largest law firm.

N. Todd Leishman, who has served as CEO and Chairman since 2018, will return to full-time practice, effective immediately. Under his leadership, Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar, formerly Durham Jones & Pinegar, grew its revenue by 34%, expanded its representation of significant existing and new clients, and combined with Dentons in 2020. Leishman will continue his practice focusing on M&A, corporate governance matters and general corporate representation.

Little has been with the Firm since 2004 and previously served as the Firm’s Chief Financial Officer, and has been a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors since 2008. He will continue practicing during his tenure as CEO of the Firm. Little's wealth of experience and exceptional ability to assist businesses, both private and public, in meeting their strategic objectives have established him as a respected leader in the legal field.

Little is a long time resident of Utah and graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University and cum laude from Harvard Law School. He has garnered multiple awards and recognitions during his legal career; including The Best Lawyers in America© in Corporate Law (2019–2022); Martindale-Hubbell® with an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating™; Super Lawyers and listed among Utah Business’s Legal Elite.

”Josh Little is well-prepared to lead our Firm,” said Leishman. “We have taken important steps to anticipate and prepare for the future by strengthening core operations and combining with Dentons, which allow us to offer clients a unique and potent mix of expertise and geographic coverage across the United States and throughout the world. Josh will bring new energy and vision to help us leverage our strategic positioning to better serve clients and attract and retain talent.”

”It is an honor to be given the opportunity to lead Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar and to work alongside an exceptional leadership team as we navigate the next important chapter for the Firm,” said Little.

“Since the founding of the Firm over thirty years ago, we have been dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to our clients and to attracting extraordinary people to help us do so. Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar experienced tremendous growth under Todd’s leadership, for which we are indebted to him and his leadership team. We are now focused on strategically and intentionally leveraging that foundation and our strong Firm culture to continue our support of clients wherever they do business, locally or around the globe, and to our attorneys, employees and their families.”

Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar also congratulates two members of the Firm who have been promoted to new roles. Sarah W. Matthews has been appointed to the Firm’s Executive Committee and as Chair of the Firm’s Finance Committee. Matthews is a shareholder in the Firm’s Intellecutal Property and Techonology Section and has extensive experience in patent and trademark prosecution. Others on the Executive Committee include Joshua E. Little, Jeffrey M. Jones, N. Todd Leishman and Melissa A Smith.

In addition, Matthew J. Orme, has joined the Firm’s Board of Directors. Orme is a leading shareholder in the Firm’s Litigation practice group  and has been with the firm since 2009.

The Firm expresses its deep gratitude to Richard M. “Rick” Hymas, who has stepped down from his positions on the Firm’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Rick will continue to work on the management team in the capacity of Associate General Counsel to the Firm, and will continue his full-time practice as a senior shareholder in the Employment and Litigation practice groups.

About Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar

Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar is a member firm of Dentons, the world's largest law firm, connecting top-tier talent to the world's challenges and opportunities with more than 20,000 professionals including more than 12,000 lawyers, in more than 200 locations and 80-plus countries. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and award-winning client service, challenge the status quo to advance client interests. www.dentons.com