Michelle’s unfailing dedication to her clients is evidenced by the fact that her first client, whom she worked with as a first-year associate almost 20 years ago, remains an active client. She establishes strong and lasting relationships by committing herself to client service. Michelle understands her clients’ business goals, guides them in their use of new technologies, and communicates with them as their business activities unfold.

Michelle’s practice is focused on helping her clients establish powerful and lasting relationships with their customers and prospects. Regardless of industry – technology, manufacturing or education – companies need to maintain contact with their clients and prospects while ensuring that their communications comply with the laws and regulations regarding marketing and privacy – whether through sweepstakes/contests, telemarketing, email marketing or beyond. Michelle’s communications experience includes licensing, enforcement, contracts, rulemaking and advocacy.

When clients find themselves involved in an enforcement matter with the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission or state agencies, Michelle’s deep knowledge in these areas and her strong footing in the privacy community help her to resolve issues in the most expedient manner possible. Michelle also advises clients as to what policies and procedures can be put in place to show a company’s good faith efforts, should the government come knocking. When companies are involved in potential data or security breaches, Michelle knows which questions to ask to ensure they have a sound legal strategy. She works with the company step-by-step to resolve the situation from both the government’s, and her clients’ as well as their customers’ points of view. Michelle has extensive experience defending individual and class actions in the consumer protection context, including dozens of Telephone Consumer Protection Act cases.

Michelle has received certification as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP-US) from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). The IAPP’s extensive training and continuing education in the area of privacy ensures that Michelle stays abreast of developments in the U.S. and abroad, so that she can provide the up-to-date information her clients need.

Previously, Michelle was a partner at Thompson Hine where she was a member of their telecommunications, corporate transactions & securities and emerging technologies groups. She began her legal career in the litigation department at Paul Hastings, where she spent seven years honing her litigation skills, prior to moving into their corporate practice. Her litigation experience gives her a solid foundation for helping clients avoid litigation as well as in advising them when they are faced with litigation. This litigation experience, coupled with her regulatory and corporate experience, allow Michelle to offer her clients a full complement of services.

Awards + Recognition

• ALM 2013 Washington DC's Women Leaders in the Law
• ALM 2012 Top Rated Lawyer - Technology Law
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) certification, International Association of Privacy Professionals
• Editorial Board Member, E-finance & Payments Law & Policy
• Editorial Board Member, E-Commerce Law & Policy

Professional + Community

• Women in Cable and Telecommunications Past Board Member Washington, D.C. - Baltimore Chapter
• Federal Communications Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar
• New York State Bar Association
• Women's Bar Association of DC
• Volunteer, Special Olympics
• Brandeis University Alumni Admissions Council
• Volunteer, Arlington County Public Schools, Virginia
• Pro Bono Volunteer through the District of Columbia Bar