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June 15, 2026
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Michael Best is proud to announce Carrie Byrnes, partner and Co-chair of the Access and Engagement Committee, as the new Co-managing Partner of Los Angeles. She will oversee the office’s operations and strategic planning alongside Dan Offner, partner and head of the Venture Best team in California. Offner has served as the sole Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office since 2024 when his firm, O&A, P.C., merged with Michael Best.
With 20 years of experience—and prior roles as in‑house counsel and a human resources leader—Byrnes brings a practical, people‑centered lens to executive compensation and employee benefits. As relationship partner, she serves as a strategic point of contact for several clients, coordinating multidisciplinary teams across corporate, tax, labor and employment, privacy and cybersecurity, venture financing, M&A, investigations, and litigation.
“I’m honored to step into this role at such an exciting time for our Los Angeles office,” said Byrnes. “We have strong momentum in the market, and I look forward to working closely with our team to continue building a presence that reflects the strength of our platform and the needs of our clients.”
Within the firm, she has held many leadership roles, including leading the Employee Benefits subgroup, chairing the Women’s Development Group, launching the Parents & Caregivers network, and co-chairing the Access & Engagement Committee.
“I am thrilled that Carrie has agreed to take on this role of Co-managing Partner for Michael Best’s Los Angeles office,” said Offner. “With Carrie’s exceptional leadership skills and drive, Michael Best will really be able to grow here in Los Angeles, a city of great opportunities for Venture Best and the firm as a whole.”
Prior to joining Michael Best, Byrnes served as the lead Chicago benefits partner at an Am Law 100 firm, the first General Counsel of a venture capital firm, and worked at the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA. Byrnes served as a longtime adjunct professor teaching J.D. and LL.M. courses and is a frequent speaker, known for translating dense rules into clear, practical guidance.
