Chicago—Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, announces today that Mary Wilson has been selected as Managing Partner of the Year as part of Corporate Counsel’s Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards. Wilson, the first female managing partner of Dentons US, is a national finance, health care and tax-exempt organization lawyer who has served in numerous leadership roles at Dentons.
The Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards honor top women lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession—whether in shaping the law, achieving outsized results for their clients, being an outstanding jurist or assisting those in need of legal services. The Managing Partner of the Year award honors Wilson for her impactful year that stands out among her peers.
“Mary’s constant dedication and ever-present commitment to Dentons and our clients is very appropriately honored through this well-deserved award,” said Dentons US CEO Mike McNamara. “Mary’s strong and invaluable leadership remains central to achieving our milestones.”
In her leadership as Dentons US’ managing partner, Wilson helps lead the Firm’s client service and practice management priorities, including Dentons’ innovative Golden Spike initiative to expand talent and capabilities across the US. Wilson maintains her very active practice representing borrowers, banks and underwriters in tax-exempt bond issues, loans and other finance transactions. Over the years, she has worked on billions of dollars in financings across the United States, including put bonds, self-liquidity bonds, lines of credit, direct purchases, accounts receivable financings, fixed-rate financings and swaps.
Wilson also plays a critical role in supporting and building the success of women in the Firm. She directed the design of Dentons’ Executive Mentoring program, which pairs diverse associates with members of the Dentons US Board to support associate career growth and development while allowing the Board to benefit from the views and experiences of diverse associates. She served as a faculty member for the Firm’s 2019 Preparing for Rain Program, which focuses on supporting and training women senior managing associates and new partners in the art of business development. Previously, Wilson served as co-chair of the Associates Development Committee and, notably, as managing partner of the Chicago office for more than five years, where she led the relocation and redesign of the office, which serves as a model for other Dentons offices through its innovative use of space and energy efficiency.
In addition to her leadership roles at Dentons, Wilson has contributed her leadership and energy serving on nonprofit boards, including the Chicago leadership board of the American Diabetes Association and the boards of KEEN Chicago and Heartland Health Outreach.
About Dentons
Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com