Godfrey & Kahn to Name Marvin Bynum as New President
The firm’s upcoming leadership transition on January 1, 2027, will change the point of contact for legal and business operations.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
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Milwaukee-based law firm Godfrey & Kahn has announced that shareholder Marvin Bynum will become president and managing partner on January 1, 2027. Bynum succeeds Nic Wahl, who is transitioning to the role of executive chairman after 16 years of leadership.
Why it matters
The transition marks a significant shift for one of the region's largest firms, as it hands off operations from a long-tenured leader to a successor who has risen through the firm's ranks over the past 17 years.
Founded in 1957, the firm currently employs nearly 200 lawyers across several offices. The leadership transition follows a 16-year tenure by outgoing president Nic Wahl, who will remain on the board of directors.
The players
Marvin Bynum
A shareholder in the real estate practice who joined the firm in 2010.
Nic Wahl
The outgoing president and managing partner who led the firm for 16 years.
Godfrey & Kahn
A Milwaukee-headquartered law firm with nearly 200 lawyers and a presence in six cities.
The details
The board of directors selected Bynum, a shareholder in the real estate practice, to oversee the firm's operations. Bynum joined the firm in 2010, the same year Wahl assumed the role of leader. The firm operates across multiple offices, including its Milwaukee headquarters and locations in Madison, Appleton, Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Washington, D.C.
Timeline
1957: Godfrey & Kahn was founded.
2010: Marvin Bynum joined the firm.
January 1, 2027: Bynum assumes role of president and managing partner.
Market Landscape
This transition aligns with the standard multi-year leadership succession planning common in mid-to-large regional professional services firms. It follows the pattern of long-tenured executives shifting into advisory board roles to maintain continuity after extended periods of growth.
Operators in Milwaukee should note the shift in contact and decision-making authority at a key professional services partner starting in 2027. Businesses that rely on Godfrey & Kahn for legal counsel should prepare for updated administrative reporting structures ahead of the year-end transition.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at professional service firms serve as a signal for operators to review ongoing service agreements and primary points of contact. Ensure your legal counsel records are updated to reflect the new management structure taking effect on January 1, 2027.
Further reading
Read more about professional leadership shifts in People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Madison365.
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