Michael DeMar is an Outside Counsel Guidelines Attorney in the firm’s Office of General Counsel. He focuses on the review, negotiation, and implementation of outside counsel guidelines, ensuring alignment with firm policies and client requirements. Michael advises attorneys on contractual terms related to billing, staffing, compliance, and engagement scope, and supports firmwide efforts to manage risk and maintain consistency in client service.
Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Michael served as Client Contracts Counsel at an Am Law 100 firm, where he negotiated outside counsel guidelines and advised on firm compliance and risk mitigation strategies. With more than two decades of legal experience, he brings a seasoned and pragmatic approach to balancing firm obligations with client expectations. Michael works closely with attorneys and firm leadership to ensure clear, consistent engagement documentation and helps identify and resolve potential conflicts between client requirements and professional responsibilities.
Credentials
Education
- Tulane University, LL.M., Admirality, 1999
- Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 1997, Articles Editor, Journal of Law; Policy Fellow, Center for the Study of International Business Law
- George Washington University, B.A., International Affairs, 1991
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- New York
- Massachusetts (Inactive)
- Louisiana (Inactive)
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Supreme Court of the United States