Mike McGee Named a 2023 Leader in the Law
Miller Canfield’s Michael McGee has been selected as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Leaders in the Law Class of 2023.
McGee served as the international firm’s CEO from 2013 to 2021. During his tenure as CEO, he steered the firm through a period of growth, transformative change, and impact.
As the second-longest-serving CEO in our firm’s history, McGee became a unifying force, an agent of change, and a consensus builder. Among his accomplishments as CEO, he expanded the firm’s global presence and capabilities. Opening offices in strategic locations such as Washington D.C., Ohio, California and Qatar demonstrated his visionary approach to growth. Notably, his foresight led to the creation of the firm’s automated and connected vehicles practice, positioning us as pioneers in this emerging field. Additionally, his dedication to advancing aerospace and defense capabilities showcased his commitment to diversifying the firm’s legal expertise.
“Mike’s lifelong dedication to excellence in the practice of law, inspirational leadership, and transformative contributions to the legal community have not only reshaped our firm but have also left an indelible mark on the legal profession and the broader community,” said Miller Canfield CEO Megan Norris, who succeeded McGee in 2021.
Under McGee’s leadership, the firm strengthened its commitment to pro bono service when it hired Wendy Richards as pro bono counsel in November 2016. Soon after, in the summer of 2017, the firm embarked on what is possibly the largest and most complex matter ever taken up by the pro bono team, the highly publicized Hamama v. Adducci litigation, which prevented hundreds of Iraqi nationals living in the U.S. from removal without due process in immigration courts, something that McGee considers among the most important of the firm’s undertakings in the past decade. Mike’s steadfast presence during the Muslim ban crisis and the Hamama litigation showcased his commitment to justice, as the firm provided vital legal support to those affected.
McGee counts among his proudest achievements as CEO the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Miller Canfield has always been forward-thinking in diversity matters, and the commitment was reenergized when we were among the 54 major firms in the U.S. to take part in the Women in Law Hackathon in 2016, an innovative program to advance the careers of women in the legal profession.
Out of the Hackathon, the Mansfield Rule was born, requiring participating law firms to demonstrate that 30% of candidates considered for advancement and lateral hiring are members of traditionally underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and attorneys with disabilities. Miller Canfield was one of 27 firms in the country and the only firm in Michigan to achieve Mansfield Plus certification during the program’s first year, a designation Miller Canfield continues to hold, having achieved this designation five years in a row.
Under McGee’s leadership, the firm further solidified its commitment to diversity with the appointment of DEI director Michelle Crockett to the post of deputy executive officer.
McGee and his fellow honorees will be recognized at Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s annual Leaders in the Law event and will be featured in the Dec. 18, 2023, special edition.