William J. Brennan, Esq.
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William J. "Bill" Brennan is a trusted legal advisor to business executives and entrepreneurs. He sifts through complex facts and makes risk assessments based on the thing that really matters — the business goals of his client's enterprise. Bill solves problems with an eye on the big picture. Clients appreciate that he's decisive, organized, and a clear communicator.
Operating on his own and on a virtual platform, Bill has very little overhead and no obligation to feed legal work to associates or fellow partners. This means he can offer the expertise of a seasoned general counsel for a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house G.C. He reviews legal issues objectively and from a business perspective, focused solely on the financial and strategic objectives of his clients. When legal issues require specialized or additional talent or support, Bill identifies and recruits the most appropriate and cost-effective resources, just as he did in his role as Vice President/General Counsel at BISSELL. |
An Experienced Chief Legal Officer for Your Company
Before his retirement in January 2020, Bill served for 21 years as BISSELL’s first in-house general counsel. When he started at BISSELL, Bill was a “one-person” legal department, the Company’s go-to lawyer for contracts and legal issues. As the Company grew, he built and managed a sophisticated staff of attorneys and legal professionals and supervised all global legal activities, including risk management and ethical compliance. He served as Secretary to the BISSELL Inc. Board of Directors and its many committees and subsidiaries.
Bill’s experience leading legal teams to practical and efficient results includes a wide array of business and legal issues, including:
Before his retirement in January 2020, Bill served for 21 years as BISSELL’s first in-house general counsel. When he started at BISSELL, Bill was a “one-person” legal department, the Company’s go-to lawyer for contracts and legal issues. As the Company grew, he built and managed a sophisticated staff of attorneys and legal professionals and supervised all global legal activities, including risk management and ethical compliance. He served as Secretary to the BISSELL Inc. Board of Directors and its many committees and subsidiaries.
Bill’s experience leading legal teams to practical and efficient results includes a wide array of business and legal issues, including:
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Bill has supervised the growth and protection of extensive intellectual property and patent portfolios and has counselled on important patent-avoidance decisions. He developed and led in-house seminars regarding negotiation and communication skills designed to reduce legal risk. For matters that required specialized legal assistance, Bill selected outside counsel, negotiated the terms of their retention, and supervised their work to ensure efficiencies for the Company.
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A Seasoned Litigator and Consultant Bill came to BISSELL after eight years as a partner at Dykema Gossett PLLC, and a combined seven years as an associate at Dykema and Lord, Bissell & Brook in Chicago (now Locke Lord LLP). At both firms he specialized in litigation and trial work including first-chair jury trials, focused on product liability defense for major manufacturers including General Motors, International Harvester, Black & Decker, and Pepsi Cola General Bottlers. |
Education and Civic Engagement
Bill earned his J.D. cum laude at The University of Michigan and a B.A. with High Honors at the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. He serves the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce as Chair of the Public Policy Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors and its Executive Board; he also is a member of the Advisory Board of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University. Bill's volunteer efforts have included service as Chair of West Michigan Catholic Social Services (now Catholic Charities West Michigan) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. |
PROFESSIONAL TESTIMONIALS
“I have known and worked with Bill Brennan for nearly 40 years. As a former trial lawyer, Bill knows what to expect in litigation. Having served as chief legal officer of a major private corporation, Bill knows how to manage all the threats that a company faces, whether in the courtroom, the regulatory arena, or in international commerce. He understands a budget and how to work within it, while still getting optimal results. Beyond his legal capabilities, Bill has exceptional business acumen and outstanding interpersonal skills. I would highly recommend him to any business looking for assistance in any of Bill’s many areas of expertise. |
For over two decades, I worked with Bill as outside employment law counsel. I always found Bill to be a calm influence and a problem solver. Bill kept his eye on the ultimate goal and avoided getting swept up in the emotion of the moment. This enables Bill to take a calculated view of the issue at hand and to provide solid advice. |
I worked closely with Bill on a number of corporate, financial and commercial matters. Bill diligently coordinated all relevant resources at BISSELL, and we always divided the work between internal and external resources so as to keep a close eye on costs. Bill has a sharp legal eye and is great fun to work with. He is very fast in responding and managing expectations. His focus is on quality improvement and bridging the gaps between business interests and legal parameters. I would strongly recommend any adviser or counsel to pick Bill’s brain in getting the business going. |
Testimonials from Bill's BISSELL internal clients:
"Bill has demonstrated all of the Core Values, Leadership Attributes, and Core Competencies...but what really struck me was some of the innovative and creative ways he dealt with the challenges facing us. Bill quickly assembled a team composed of BISSELL associates and outside professionals. Like a conductor leading an orchestra, Bill kept all participants engaged and on task...I will always remember Bill's leadership and his attitude of never giving in or giving up. I would not want to be an opponent of Bill's. His negotiation skills and never-give up-attitude are key resources for any team."
"Bill is very collaborative and approaches his role within the organization with a great deal of passion, professionalism and respect for others and their view points. His interactions demonstrate intelligence, balance and a willingness to solve problems collaboratively. He continues to be an outstanding representative of BISSELL in the community."
"Bill is a great resource, highly skilled, results oriented and always obliging and willing to assist."
"Bill is always a provocative thinker and willing to challenge in a conversation. He is a strong negotiator and does a nice job of instilling that in the rest of the organization. He makes himself approachable with a bit of self-deprecation. He is also a big asset in periods of stress/crisis as he typically has a balanced and unemotional viewpoint."
"Bill is an inviting leader. He is extremely approachable, smart and entertaining in all positive ways. He is passionate about protecting the company's interest and is always an advocate for our Associates. He has a good team and a strong network of resources for BISSELL."
"Bill has demonstrated all of the Core Values, Leadership Attributes, and Core Competencies...but what really struck me was some of the innovative and creative ways he dealt with the challenges facing us. Bill quickly assembled a team composed of BISSELL associates and outside professionals. Like a conductor leading an orchestra, Bill kept all participants engaged and on task...I will always remember Bill's leadership and his attitude of never giving in or giving up. I would not want to be an opponent of Bill's. His negotiation skills and never-give up-attitude are key resources for any team."
"Bill is very collaborative and approaches his role within the organization with a great deal of passion, professionalism and respect for others and their view points. His interactions demonstrate intelligence, balance and a willingness to solve problems collaboratively. He continues to be an outstanding representative of BISSELL in the community."
"Bill is a great resource, highly skilled, results oriented and always obliging and willing to assist."
"Bill is always a provocative thinker and willing to challenge in a conversation. He is a strong negotiator and does a nice job of instilling that in the rest of the organization. He makes himself approachable with a bit of self-deprecation. He is also a big asset in periods of stress/crisis as he typically has a balanced and unemotional viewpoint."
"Bill is an inviting leader. He is extremely approachable, smart and entertaining in all positive ways. He is passionate about protecting the company's interest and is always an advocate for our Associates. He has a good team and a strong network of resources for BISSELL."