Michelle McLeod is a consultant in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution and litigation group, where she advises clients on navigating complex disputes across Southeast Asia. Michelle brings a combination of high-level trial advocacy and global public sector expertise to help clients manage and resolve commercial disputes.

Before joining Tilleke & Gibbins, Michelle worked for more than a decade as a trial attorney and federal prosecutor with the US Department of Justice, where she led all phases of litigation in civil and criminal cases in federal courts nationwide. Her work included complex matters involving state and local governments, multistate entities, and private individuals, often centered on systemic discrimination, constitutional and statutory violations, and regulatory enforcement. She also successfully negotiated and mediated settlements to resolve government investigations.

Michelle also served as a US diplomat and legal advisor for the US Agency for International Development, advising on more than USD 2 billion in foreign assistance across 16 countries in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Eastern Europe. Her work included guiding senior officials through complex regulatory, contractual, and governance challenges. By identifying and mitigating legal risk early, Michelle has helped prevent costly disputes and litigation, with her strategies holding up under scrutiny in courtrooms, before oversight bodies, and in international negotiations.

Michelle holds a JD from the University of Maryland School of Law and a bachelor of science degree from East Carolina University. She is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and New York.