Michele L. Connell

Bio

Michele Connell is the firm's Global Managing Partner, US LLP, with responsibility for the business and operations in 34 of its global offices in the US, the Middle East, Asia and portions of Europe. Michele is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a recognized expert and strategic advisor on global mergers and acquisitions in high-risk regulatory and commercial end markets ranging from automotive and transportation, fintech, industrial manufacturing and healthcare companies. With more than 25 years' experience in the international arena, including as a diplomat for the US government, her business acumen, language skills and cross-cultural awareness are global in nature.

Michele has extensive experience in leading strategic investments in challenging markets, including China, Brazil and Europe, and innovating structures to minimize execution and integration risk. She is a trusted advisor to public company boards on sensitive matters of governance, shareholder activism and strategic decision-making and has significant experience leading effective teams.

Before attending law school, Michele served as a diplomat in the US Department of State, where she advanced the mission of the US government while serving in the US Embassies in Poland and Honduras. Michele received the Meritorious Honor Award from the US government for her service.

Michele serves on the boards of multiple non-profits, including University Hospital Health Systems, Inc., a US$4 billion health system with more than 32,000 employees, where she sits on the governance and compensation committees. Michele is also on the board of DirectWomen, a national organization that works to increase the representation of women lawyers on corporate boards. She serves on the board of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Cleveland's 14,000+ member chamber of commerce, and on the board of the United Way of Greater Cleveland. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation, which promotes the role of public service and pro bono work in the practice of law and the development of public policy.

Michele earned a BS at Georgetown University and her J.D. at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law.