ROYAL OAK, Mich. – November 3, 2026 – Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that Amanda Barnes has been named one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ 2026 Notable Leaders in Communications.
At Brooks Kushman, Barnes leads the firm’s marketing team and plays an integral role in shaping how the firm positions itself in an increasingly competitive legal market. As Marketing Director, Operations & Inclusion Manager, she leads firmwide marketing, business development, communications and related operational strategy, with a particular focus on connecting the firm’s brand and business development efforts to long-term growth.
Under Barnes’ leadership, marketing has taken an increasingly strategic role in identifying opportunities for the firm to build visibility, strengthen relationships and reach new audiences. That work includes developing strategic alliances and partnerships, evaluating sponsorships and industry involvement, strengthening the firm’s thought leadership program, and using relationship intelligence and data to help leadership identify opportunities for growth.
Barnes has also helped formalize the firm’s approach to awards and legal rankings, including developing a firmwide process to identify significant matters, client successes and representative work that can be used to more effectively position both the firm and its attorneys for recognition. Those efforts support a growing list of accolades. In 2026, Brooks Kushman earned six Best Law Firms rankings, including four regional Tier 1 rankings; maintained Band 1 for Intellectual Property in Michigan in Chambers USA for the tenth consecutive year; and had 10 attorneys recognized by Managing IP, including nine IP Stars and one Rising Star. The firm was also named Firm of the Year for both Patent Prosecution and Trademark Prosecution in the Midwest at the Managing IP Americas Awards 2026.
Barnes’ recognition also reflects the critical role that strong business professionals play in the success of a modern law firm. Legal excellence is at the core of a firm’s reputation, but sustaining and expanding that reputation requires professionals behind the scenes who can translate that excellence into a clear market position, build relationships with the organizations and communities that matter to the firm, identify opportunities for growth and ensure the work of its attorneys reaches the audiences it is intended to serve. At Brooks Kushman, that partnership between attorneys and business professionals is an important part of how the firm continues to strengthen its national reputation and grow strategically.
About Amanda Barnes
Amanda Barnes is the Marketing Director, Operations & Inclusion Manager at Brooks Kushman, where she leads the firm’s marketing, business development, communications and related operational strategy. She works closely with firm leadership and attorneys to strengthen the firm’s brand, build strategic relationships and identify opportunities for continued growth. Her work also includes advancing the firm’s use of technology and AI-enabled workflows, as well as strengthening its approach to business development, thought leadership and market visibility. Amanda Barnes brings a strategic and creative approach to positioning Brooks Kushman and its attorneys for continued success.
About Brooks Kushman P.C.
Founded in 1983, Brooks Kushman P.C. has built a national reputation as a premier intellectual property and technology law firm. We accomplish this with the understanding that the most effective IP solutions come from putting great minds together – our clients and our own. With offices across the country, we forge strong relationships with corporations, small to medium-sized businesses, and leading universities.
Brooks Kushman counts a number of Fortune 100 Corporations across a variety of industries among its clients. Our attorneys have a deep understanding and broad range of experience in a variety of industries and technologies, including automotive, AI & data, automation, consumer electronics, manufacturing, medical device, computer technology, aerospace, chemicals, biotechnology, retail, food & beverage, green technology, fintech, and more. We are also recognized by leading legal publications and rankings, including, Best Lawyers, Law360, Intellectual Asset Management, Managing Intellectual Property, and World Trademark Review. For more information, please visit www.BrooksKushman.com.