She had a 35-year career at EY, where she held various executive leadership roles
Dentons has announced the election of Kate Barton as its next global CEO.
Barton will succeed Elliott Portnoy, the firm's founding Global CEO, who has served since its launch in 2013. Barton had a 35-year career at EY, where she held various executive leadership roles, most recently as global vice chair. At EY, Barton led multiple business units, including tax, law, and people advisory services, overseeing a global workforce of 70,000 professionals and generating over $11 billion in revenue. She is credited with transforming EY’s global tax practice through strategic investments in people, technology, and processes.
Barton will join Dentons in early September to facilitate a seamless transition with Portnoy, whose term ends November 9. She will officially begin her tenure as global CEO on November 10.
“Kate has extensive experience in leading a complex and global professional service organization and has an outstanding skillset in managing people, processes, and systems,” said Elliott Portnoy. “She has my unqualified support, and I am confident she will lead Dentons from strength to even greater strength and success.”
Reflecting on her new role, Barton expressed enthusiasm for joining Dentons, praising its pioneering business strategy and client offerings. “Under Elliott’s leadership, this firm has differentiated itself with its polycentric approach and integrated cross-border and multidisciplinary client engagements. I look forward to working with Dentons’ accomplished regional leadership to continue challenging industry norms and adapting to the ever-changing world of technology and innovation,” Barton said.
Portnoy, as the founding Global CEO, has been instrumental in Dentons' significant growth, expanding the firm's presence to 167 locations in 82 countries. His tenure is marked by Dentons’ “uniquely global, deeply local” approach to professional services, earning the firm recognition and favourable regard among the world’s most important legal and business solutions services purchasers.
“Dentons and the broader legal profession have benefited enormously from Elliott’s visionary leadership and accomplishments. We thank him for his service and for positioning Dentons to continue thriving in today’s dynamic environment,” said Nicholas How Park, non-executive chair of the global board at Dentons. Kate has shown the highest commitment to our purpose—redefining what is possible and shaping the future—and I speak on behalf of our leadership in welcoming her into our organization.”
Gerald Singham, chair of Dentons' global board talent and governance committee, led the selection process for the new Global CEO, which involved both internal and external candidates from across the globe.
