Chicago—Dentons, the leading law firm, announces the appointment of Chicago lawyer Mary G. Wilson to the key leadership role of US managing partner. The first woman US managing partner for Dentons, she joins US Chief Executive Officer Mike McNamara and the Firm’s leadership team in guiding the US region of the world’s largest law firm.

As US Managing Partner, a longstanding position in Dentons US vacant since 2017 when McNamara was elected to his current role, Wilson will focus her leadership time on matters relating to the Firm’s 1,100 lawyers and professionals across its 25 offices. This will include initial emphasis on supporting practice leadership in advancing with intensity practice plans, client service priorities and diversity and inclusion initiatives, and directing the rollout of new tools and resources to support clients.

 “Mary’s enthusiasm for and commitment to our Firm and clients is ever present, and I am very proud to welcome her to this important leadership role,” said McNamara. “I admire Mary’s ability to build and strengthen relationships as she simultaneously accomplishes the key strategic goals entrusted to her at the absolute highest level with laser focus. Mary is a gifted lawyer and leader, and our Firm will be stronger because of her leadership in this role.”

Since joining Dentons as a health care partner 14 years ago, Wilson has served in numerous leadership roles, including co-chair of the Associates Development Committee, managing partner of the Chicago office for more than five years, and an active member of the Firm’s US Board. She represented Dentons in its industry-leading efforts at Diversity Lab’s 2018 Diversity in Law Hackathon, and her team presented a strategy to enhance law firm and legal department policies, practices, and commitments relating to diversity and inclusion.

“I’m honored to play an active role in guiding the US region,” said Wilson. “When I joined Dentons, I knew the firm had a unique vision. I continue to be impressed and inspired by our global growth our talented people and the enthusiastic culture at Dentons to be at the forefront of change in the legal marketplace.”

Wilson will continue her robust legal practice, which focuses on national finance, health care law and tax-exempt organizations, in addition to the managing partner role.

In her finance practice, she counsels and represents borrowers, underwriters, banks and issuers, and serves as bond counsel in tax-exempt bond issues and other finance transactions. She has led billions of dollars’ worth of financings in many states. She also advises and represents hospitals and health systems in corporate transactions, and counsels all types of tax-exempt organizations in transactions, governance matters, tax-exemption issues and organizational issues.

Profiled in legal media and recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ Who’s Who is Chicago Business, Wilson is active in health-related charitable organizations as well. These include serving on the board, and as past chair, of Heartland Health Outreach, an organization dedicated to addressing the healthcare needs of the homeless, the board of KEEN Chicago, and as a board member of the American Diabetes Association Chicago Leadership Board.

Wilson earned her JD, with honors, from the University of Chicago Law School, and her BA, cum laude, from Yale University.

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