James Goodnow

James Goodnow is the CEO of Fennemore, an Am Law 200 firm with approximately 700 legal professionals in 20 offices across the U.S. When he assumed his current role in 2018, he was 36 years old and the youngest known CEO of a major law firm in U.S. history.

James earned his JD from Harvard Law School and a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of Cambridge Judge Business School in the United Kingdom. He attended undergrad at Santa Clara University, where he graduated first in his class. At Cambridge, he wrote his thesis on how to infuse innovation in established businesses. At Harvard, he wrote his 3L paper (thesis) on emerging LegalTech in the areas of legal research.

James has led M&A transactions that have resulted in the opening of 14 new Fennemore offices across the U.S. He has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence in the law. Based on his efforts, the ABA Journal named him one of “America’s techiest lawyers” in a cover story. Apple features his use of its product in a global Apple in Business ad campaign.

Under James’ leadership, Fennemore has been the fastest-growing firm in the U.S. and led the Am Law 200 in year-over-year revenue growth—with profits growing substantially. Fennemore is also an industry leader in job retention and job satisfaction.

He’s a contributor to Entrepreneur magazine and Above the Law, and he’s the author of Motivating Millennials: How to Recognize, Retain, and Recruit the Next Generation of Leaders.