About David Byrne
David Byrne Guenther built a layered academic foundation before entering the law. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Kenyon College in 1980. He later completed a Master of Arts in Germanic languages and literature at Duke University in 1995. Guenther then returned to formal legal study and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1999.
He moved into private practice soon after law school. In 1998 he worked as a lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. By 2004 he was working at Dykema Gossett PLLC. Those roles placed him in major firm environments and exposed him to complex transactional and corporate practice settings. In 2015 he took on an of counsel position at Conlin, McKenney & Philbrick, P.C., a role he continues to hold.
Parallel to his firm work, Guenther developed an academic career at the University of Michigan Law School. He served as an adjunct clinical assistant professor beginning in 2010. In 2015 he was named clinical assistant professor and director of the International Transactions Clinic. In that clinic he has overseen student representation and practical projects that bring cross-border transactional issues into the classroom. He has also maintained professional affiliations over many years, holding memberships that date back to 2000 and 2005.
Guenther is admitted to practice in Michigan and New York, and his career has moved between private practice and legal education. He has taught, supervised clinic work, and served as counsel in firm contexts. His classroom work emphasizes real-world transactional practice for law students, while his firm role keeps him engaged in client matters in both states. He currently practices as of counsel at Conlin, McKenney & Philbrick, P.C., handling matters in Michigan and New York and overseeing international transactions through his clinic work.
