Godfrey & Kahn Names Marvin Bynum Next President and Managing Partner
Godfrey & Kahn Names Marvin Bynum Next President and Managing Partner
MILWAUKEE (Oct. 26, 2026) – Effective January 1, 2027, Marvin Bynum will become Godfrey & Kahn’s next President and Managing Partner. Marvin will take over for Nic Wahl, who has led the firm for the past 16 years. Nic will remain deeply engaged with the firm as Executive Chairman and a member of our Board of Directors, helping to ensure our continued success over the coming years.
What our clients experience from Godfrey & Kahn will not change. Our focus will continue to be where it has always been – on you, our clients and friends.
We are excited about what lies ahead and deeply grateful for our relationship and your trust.
Throughout his career, Marvin has excelled at every leadership position he has held. Now is the right time to pass the torch. The firm is in a great place and Marvin was an obvious choice for this next chapter.
– Nic Wahl
About Marvin
Marvin is exceptionally well prepared to build on the firm’s legacy. Joining Godfrey & Kahn in 2010, Marvin has grown his career here and today is a shareholder in our real estate practice and serves on our Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of TerraLex, which is a network of law firms that enables us to help our clients with their legal needs all around the world. Throughout his time at the firm, Marvin has earned the trust and respect of colleagues and clients alike through his judgment, empathy, decisiveness and deep commitment to Godfrey & Kahn. Marvin’s impact extends well beyond the firm and is illustrated through his extensive engagement in our community, including:
- Milwaukee College Prep – Vice President, Board of Directors
- Acts Housing – Member, Board of Directors
- Milwaukee Development Corporation – Member, Board of Directors
- Marquette University Vieth Institute for Real Estate Leadership – Member, Board of Directors
- Marquette University Law School Alumni Association – Member, Board of Directors
- Marquette University Law School – Adjunct Professor (2022 - 2026)
- Marquette University Law School, Howard B. Eisenberg Service Award (2024)
- Harbor District – Former Board President
- Silver Spring Neighborhood Center – Former Board President
- Recognized by Chambers USA (2023 - present)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2021 - present)
This firm is a special place, primarily because of our wonderful people who care deeply about doing right by each other and our clients. I have long counted myself fortunate to be here, so I do not take this responsibility lightly. I am incredibly humbled to continue the legacy of our founders and exceptional leaders, such as Nic, who has been a remarkable mentor to me along the way.
– Marvin Bynum
About Nic
Nic began his career with Godfrey & Kahn in 1990. During his career he practiced in the real estate, corporate and mergers and acquisitions areas where he excelled as a lawyer. In 2010 the firm’s Board of Directors tapped him to be the firm’s next President and Managing Partner. Under Nic’s leadership the firm has steadily continued to build its client base and reputation as one of Wisconsin’s elite business law firms. The firm has always focused on finding exceptionally talented people and has insisted that they approach work with a team mindset. Nic is unwavering in his focus on that culture and we are a better place for his steady, caring, consistent and humble leadership. Nic will continue with the firm in an Executive Chairman role and on the firm’s Board of Directors.
###
With nearly 200 lawyers, Godfrey & Kahn is one of Wisconsin's leading business law firms. Founded in 1957, Godfrey & Kahn maintains offices in Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, Green Bay, and Eau Claire Wis.; and Washington, D.C.