Michael Barton

As chief financial officer, Michael is responsible for shaping Husch Blackwell’s financial strategy, operations, and systems. He oversees the firm’s core financial functions and works closely with firm leadership on strategic planning, investments, and growth initiatives.

He brings more than two decades of experience leading finance and operations for professional services organizations, including Am Law 100 firms and global accounting and advisory partnerships. In those environments, he has consistently partnered with executive leaders and boards to align financial decisions with business strategy. He is known for building clear planning processes, strengthening financial infrastructure, and translating financial data into insights that lawyers and business leaders can use. 

Before joining Husch Blackwell, Michael served as chief financial officer at Schulte Roth & Zabel, where he led financial diligence and integration efforts related to its 2025 merger with McDermott Will & Emery. Earlier in his career, he held CFO and CFO/COO roles at Goodwin Procter, Cherry Bekaert, and Geller & Company, and was an executive director at Grant Thornton during a period of dramatic growth. He has repeatedly and successfully guided organizations through transformative transactions, including firm sales and divestitures, private equity investments, and large-scale systems implementations delivered on time and on budget. 

Michael’s success is attributable in large part to his focus on people and communication. He builds high-performing finance teams, works across functions with HR, IT, and marketing, and acts as an educator who helps partners and leaders understand the business of the firm. Presenting financial information in clear, practical terms, he drives informed decision-making across the entire organization.