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Brendan Gutierrez McDonnell

Brendan Gutierrez McDonnell is a visionary thinker addressing legal and business challenges for public and private growth companies. He leverages technology, including AI, to enhance client service.

He advises on mergers, acquisitions, and financings, including private equity and venture capital. Brendan also provides guidance on securities and corporate laws (including director and officer duties), executive compensation, and general corporate contracts. His clients range from startups to Fortune 100 companies across industries like technology, manufacturing, specialty chemicals, transportation, logistics, consumer goods, creative services, and footwear and apparel.

With an accounting background, Brendan understands clients' financial goals and offers tailored solutions. He advises multinational clients on global business issues, market entry, and international transactions. He also represents active private equity firms in acquisitions and operations.

Brendan is a partner in the firm’s AI Solutions Group and a member of the firm's IDEA Group, promoting innovation. He previously served on the firm’s Management Committee for seven years.  

  • Recognized by Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A in Oregon, 2008-2024
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in Portland
    • Corporate Law, 2012-2025
    • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2025
  • League of Minority Voters’ Civil Rights Award for K&L Gates Portland, 2023
  • League of Minority Voters’ Diversity and Inclusion Award for K&L Gates Portland (played an instrumental role), 2020
  • Named a Minority Corporate Counsel Association Rainmaker, 2020
  • Named an inaugural recipient of the Portland Business Journal Rainmaker Award, 2019
  • Nominated for the inaugural Changing Lawyer Award at the International Legal Technology Association Annual Conference, recognizing and celebrating his unwavering commitment to client service and visionary approach to the disruption of the traditional legal practice, 2018
  • Former Board Member, Hollis Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: HEPH) (Member of the Compensation, Audit and Nominating Committees)
  • Former Board Member, Oregon Food Bank (Member of the Strategic Plan Committee, Nominating and Board Development Committee and the Fund Development Committee)
  • Former Adjunct Professor of Law, Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College
  • Past Chair of the Executive Committee, Oregon State Bar Business Section
  • Certified Ambassador, Greater Portland Inc. (2018 - present)
    • Co-Chair, 2019 and 2020 Certified Ambassador Programs
  • Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals
  • California Bar Association
  • Washington Bar Association
  • Hispanic National Bar Association
  • Chair, Oregon State Bar International Trade in Legal Services Task Force
  • Presenter, “How Machine Learning Can Solve Global and Business Problems,” Financial Executives International “Finance Elevated” Conference (2020)
  • Panelist, “Coming out of the Shark Tank Alive: Negotiating your First VC Term Sheet,” TechfestNW (2019)
  • Presenter, “Different Shades of Green: Finding (the Right) Money for your Startup,” TechfestNW (2018)
Additional Thought Leadership Pages
Additional News & Event Pages
  • Quoted, “To Woo Law Firms, Legal Training Platforms Are Combining Hands-On and Online Learning,” ALM/The National Law Journal/LegalTech News, 10 October 2024
  • Quoted, “K&L Gates Partners With AltaClaro to Offer Gen AI Supervisory Course for Firm Partners and Managers,” Legaltech News/Law.com, 12 September 2024 
  • Quoted, “Advancing Portland: 8 prominent Portlanders on good city vibes,” Portland Business Journal, 25 August 2024 
  • Quoted, “Clients, Common Sense Drive Big Law Gen AI Policies,” The American Lawyer/Law.com, 31 January 2024
  • Quoted, "Inflation, interest rates dampen M&A activity in Oregon after peaking in 2021, lawyers say," Portland Business Journal, 14 November 2023
  • Quoted, "How Portland’s M&A Frenzy Has Rocked Local Law Firms," Portland Business Journal, 1 March 2022
  • Q&A, “Head of Portland M&A Law Office Foresees Favorable Environment for Deals,” Portland Business Journal, April 2018
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