DirectWomen, a national nonprofit that works to increase the representation of women on corporate boards, has selected Squire Patton Boggs corporate partner and Cleveland office managing partner Michele L. Connell as a member of the 2019 DirectWomen Board Institute Class.
The 2019 DirectWomen class is comprised of an outstanding group of 18 women lawyers, including general counsel of Fortune 500 companies, partners at top law firms and leading lawyers from academia. Since its inception more than a decade ago, 198 women have participated in the Board Institute, and nearly 28% of the institute’s alumnae now serve as directors of major companies.
The Institute covers key issues facing current and future corporate directors and provides an opportunity for class members to interact with a dynamic faculty of leading executives, directors, search firm consultants and institute alumnae. The Board Institute will be held October 2-4, 2019, in New York City.
Ms. Connell focuses her practice on negotiating and completing international mergers and acquisitions and leads teams across the globe to bring value to her clients’ bottom lines. She also advises multiple public and private companies’ boards of directors on a variety of matters, including strategic transactions, executive compensation and governance and compliance trends. She partners with lead executives to create practical and innovative legal solutions for those operating in the global marketplace.
Ms. Connell has received several recognitions for her leadership, advancement of women and legal services. She was honored by Corporate Counsel at its National Women in Law Awards for the “Innovative Leadership” category; named one of Profiles in Diversity Journal’s “Women Worth Watching”; and selected among Crain’s Cleveland Business’ “Women of Note.”