Michele spent seventeen years as a litigator, then began her Alternative Dispute Resolution practice. She has devoted her private practice to mediation and arbitration for almost twenty years.  She has been recognized in the Best Lawyers in America for ADR since 2004, and has served on the Executive Council of the ADR section of the Arizona State Bar since 2010. She also serves as the Director of Trial Advocacy at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. More details about her professional background are available on the full resume located on this site.

• Bennington College (MFA, Dual Genre: Fiction and Nonfiction, 2022)
• University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1983)
• University of Michigan (B.A., Psychology and Communications, 1980)

SELECTED LEGAL PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES:

• Southwest Super Lawyers, Top 5% of Attorneys in the Southwest- 2022-Present
• Valley of the Sun United Way Bench and Bar Donor Circle, 2021-Present
  • Founding Member, 2021-Present
• Valley of the Sun United Way Tocqueville Society and Major Gifts Committee, 2021-Present
  • Co-Chair, 2021-Present
• Super Lawyers, Top Rated Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorney, 2021- Present
• Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2021-Present
• Best Lawyers in America, 2004-Present
• Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2004-Present
• Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, 2010-Present
• Mentor Program Co-Chair, 2012-Present
• Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, Board of Directors, December 2017-present
• AADC Program “Ladder Down: Women Helping Women Climb the Ladder of Success,” Participant 2013, Sponsor 2014-present
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Executive Committee, State Bar of Arizona, 2010-Present
  • Section Chair 2011-2012
  • Vice Chair 2010-2011
  • Secretary, 2017-present
• American Arbitration Association, Panel of Neutrals, 2004-Present

SELECTED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES:

• Phoenix Art Museum, Board of Trustees, August 2022 – Present
• Brophy College Preparatory High School, Board of Regents, April 2020 – Present
• Brophy College Preparatory High School, Project Graduation Committee, 2019
• Brophy College Preparatory High School, Basketball team Mom (Freshman, JV, and Varsity), 2016-present
• The Challenge Foundation Board of Directors, June 2017 to present
• Literary & Prologue Society of the Southwest Advisory Board, May 2016 – Present
• All Saints Episcopal Day School
  • Board of Trustees, May 2008 – May 2016
  • Executive Committee, Secretary and Governance Committee Chair, May 2009-May 2011
  • School Security Task Force, 2012-Present
  • Enrollment Management Committee Chair, May 2011-2016
  • Athletics Task Force, 2011-2016
  • Development Committee, 2013-2016
• All Saints Episcopal Day School Parent Association
  • President, 2007-2008
• American Heart Association, Heart Ball Committee, 2011-2013
• Childsplay, Childsplay Gala Committee, Spring 2013 and Spring 2014
• Snell & Wilmer, Book Club Co-Chair, Spring 2013 – present
• Attorneys’ Liability Assurance Society, Book Club Committee Co-Chair, 2009-Present
• Boys’ Team Charities, 2009-2014
• Den Leader, Cub Scouts, Pack 107, 2005-2011
• Chair, Dedication of Sandra Day O’Connor House at Arizona Historical Society Museum Event, April 2009-October 2009
• National Charity League, 2004-2009
• Xavier College Preparatory School Mothers Guild, 2002-2009

Effective 9/1/2022, Michele charges $500.00 per hour, no half-day or full-day minimums, no cancellation fee, and $150 per hour travel time if mediation or arbitration location is more than 1 hour away from central Phoenix.