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Michelle A. McLeod

Consultant

Biography

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.

Experience

  • First-chaired complex civil and criminal cases in US federal court, developing litigation strategy, managing discovery, leading expert coordination, and conducting trials.
  • Negotiated resolutions in complex disputes through mediation, arbitration, and settlement negotiations, achieving favorable outcomes while avoiding protracted litigation.
  • Advised a US government agency on legal issues related to procurement, financial operations, tax exemptions, employment law, and real estate, ensuring compliance with both US and foreign laws.
  • Advised a US government agency on structuring a USD 75 million cross-border energy project between Moldova and Romania, addressing public international law, procurement challenges, and compliance risks.
  • Advised on compliance for over USD 90 million in US development aid to a Pacific Island country, securing regulatory waivers to preserve humanitarian assistance in a complex geopolitical environment.
  • Negotiated with a foreign government to enforce tax exemptions for private companies implementing US development programs, creating procedures that mitigated millions of dollars in tax liabilities.
ABOUT Michelle

Location

Languages

    English

Education

    JD, University of Maryland School of Law

    BS, East Carolina University

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