When organizations face their most challenging moments, Bruce Hennes is often one of the first calls. His famous observation, “The Court of Public Opinion is Always in Session,” has become a guiding principle for executives, attorneys, and organizational leaders navigating crises where reputation, trust, and public perception can change in an instant.
For more than 35 years, Bruce has advised corporations, law firms, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, and senior living providers through high-profile crises where leadership, communication, and public trust are on the line.
Today, as President of Hennes Communications Division, AKCG, he continues that legacy as part of one of the nation’s leading Crisis PR firms.
Crisis Communications Leadership
Bruce founded Hennes Communications in 1989 after building a diverse career in political campaigns, nonprofit leadership, and corporate government and public affairs. Under his leadership, the firm became one of North America’s few agencies dedicated exclusively to crisis communications, litigation communications, issues management, executive media training, and reputation management.
Following the firm’s acquisition by AKCG – Public Relations Counselors in 2026, Bruce now leads Hennes Communications Division, AKCG, providing strategic counsel to organizations facing legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational challenges.
Throughout his career, Bruce has advised an extraordinary range of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, public utilities, healthcare systems, universities, school districts, government agencies, law firms, manufacturers, nonprofits, and senior living organizations. Clients have included the American Public Power Association, Avery Dennison, ThyssenKrupp, Interlake Steamship, University Hospitals, Kent State University, Lubrizol, NASA, and hundreds of other organizations that have relied on his guidance when effective communication was critical.
Known for his strategic judgment and calm leadership under pressure, Bruce regularly counsels executive teams, boards of directors, and legal counsel through leadership transitions, litigation, cyber incidents, product recalls, workplace tragedies, regulatory investigations, and other high-stakes situations where reputations are on the line.
National Recognition & Professional Honors in Crisis Communications
Bruce’s work has earned recognition as one of the nation’s leading crisis communications advisors.
He is individually ranked by Chambers and Partners in the 2026 Crisis & Risk Management Guide, while Hennes Communications Division, AKCG (formerly Hennes Communications) is one of only 21 U.S. firms recognized nationally in the Crisis PR & Communications category. Chambers is widely regarded as the global standard for evaluating professional services firms, relying on rigorous independent research and client and peer evaluations.
From 2019 through 2026, Bruce was named to the Lawdragon 100 Leading Consultants & Strategists, recognizing the nation’s most trusted advisors to the legal profession. In 2022, he was inducted into the prestigious Lawdragon Hall of Fame, honoring a career of exceptional service and influence within the legal industry.
His leadership has also been recognized throughout Northeast Ohio. Bruce was named to The Cleveland 500 by Cleveland Magazine from 2021 through 2024, recognizing the region’s most influential leaders. In 2024, he was honored by Crain’s Cleveland Business as a Notable Leader in Communications, followed by inclusion in the publication’s Who’s Who list in 2026, highlighting the region’s most influential business leaders.
Educator, Speaker & Industry Leader in Crisis Communications
Beyond advising clients, Bruce is passionate about preparing the next generation of communicators and leaders.
He is an Associate Professor in the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, where he teaches future communications professionals the principles of effective leadership, media relations, and crisis communications.
Bruce is one of the nation’s most sought-after speakers on crisis communications, reputation management, executive media training, and litigation communications. He frequently presents to law firms, bar associations, emergency management agencies, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and trade associations throughout the United States, with a particular focus on helping leaders communicate effectively during high-consequence events.
His contributions to the legal profession extend well beyond the classroom. Bruce served on the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association for 20 years, including 18 years on its Executive Committee, making him one of the few non-attorneys in the country to serve in such a leadership role for a major metropolitan bar association. He also serves on the faculty of the Ohio State Bar Association Leadership Academy and has delivered more than 30 continuing legal education (CLE) programs annually to attorneys and bar associations nationwide. In addition, he has been a four-time keynote speaker for the American Bar Association’s Bar Leadership Institute.
Bruce earned his degree in Political Science from York University in Toronto, Canada, and holds certifications in effective communications from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Today, Bruce continues to help organizations build, preserve, and restore positive reputations, providing trusted strategic counsel when leadership matters most.
Contact Bruce to speak at your next event, train leaders in your organization, or to learn how crisis communications counsel from one of the nation’s nationally ranked Crisis PR experts.
