Michael Williams

Background

About Michael Williams

Legal Expertise Governance Operations & Strategy Human Capital ManagementChief Legal Counsel and Board advisor with broad, multifunctional capabilities, strong business orientation and strategic focus across diverse technology, communications, governance and Fortune 500 companies. Partner to CEOs and company boards, with longstanding executive leadership across multiple corporate functions. Legal Expertise:25+ years in chief legal officer, corporate secretary, and outside counsel leadership roles, advising Fortune 500 senior executives and boards of directors on strategic corporate growth and restructuring in the US and abroad. Led M&A, divestiture, strategic partnering, securities and investor matters. Directed cybersecurity, antitrust, litigation, commercial and trade risk management and compliance. Corporate Governance:Recipient of NYSE award, “Best In-house Legal Team for Corporate Governance at a Large Cap Company” at Staples, having provided strategic and legal oversight for global transactions, instituted a series of best practices for corporate governance, new director onboarding, activist shareholder campaign management, cybersecutity breaches, and FCPA investigations.Operations & Strategy:Improved companies’ global positioning, day-to-day operations and long-term viability, overseeing legal operations and direct-reporting information security systems, technical standards, trade strategy and compliance teams at Fortune 500. Exercised sound judgement in formulating and negotiating marketing, operations and trade agreements and resolving product, HR, and antitrust matters. Human Capital Management:Highly accomplished global leader recognized for creating award-winning, high-performance legal teams of sizable in-house legal staff working across four continents.Member in good standing of the California Bar Association