Honigman Elects Jonathan O’Brien as Next Chair and CEO

DETROIT – Honigman LLP today announced that Jonathan O’Brien, Ph.D., will become the firm’s next Chair and CEO, effective January 1, 2027. He will succeed David Foltyn, who will assume the role of Chair Emeritus on the same date.

O'Brien, who joined Honigman in 2008, currently serves as Honigman’s First Vice Chair and Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. He has more than 25 years of experience as a business-focused intellectual property (IP) strategist, assisting companies, large and small, across a variety of industries with their global procurement, transactional and enforcement matters. He possesses extensive experience with IP issues related to mergers and acquisitions, public and private offerings, and collaborations. He has a particular strength in the life science industry and has worked on more than two dozen commercial products and late-stage clinical assets. O’Brien has received numerous awards and recognitions, including several from LMG Life Sciences, which recognized him twice as the “Patent Strategy Attorney of the Year” (2023 and 2024), multiple recognitions from Chambers USA for Intellectual Property, repeat honors from Best Lawyers in America for Patent Law, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Michigan Super Lawyers, and more.

“I am honored and humbled to be elected as Honigman’s next Chair and CEO,” said O’Brien. “It’s a privilege to lead a firm known for its market leadership and commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients across the country. I look forward to continuing to foster an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship — one that empowers our attorneys to grow as trusted advisors and drive meaningful results for our clients.”

As Chair and CEO, O’Brien will oversee the firm’s more than 350 attorneys and 350 business professionals throughout Michigan, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Israel as well as cultivate a growing national client base.

“Jonathan is known for his pragmatic business acumen, wise legal counsel, strength, compassion and confident leadership— all skills that will serve him well as he steps into this critical position,” said David Foltyn, Honigman Chairman and CEO. “I am confident that the future of the firm is in capable hands with Jonathan.”

About Honigman LLP

Honigman LLP is an Am Law 200 full-service, general business law firm with more than 350 attorneys counseling clients on complex issues across the country in Chicago, Michigan, Washington, D.C. and Israel. Honigman lawyers counsel clients on complex issues in more than 60 areas of law. For more information, visit www.honigman.com.

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