The American Lawyer has named Squire Patton Boggs Global Managing Partner Michele Connell and partner Sarah Rathke to its 2022 Midwest Trailblazers list. The special series recognizes lawyers in the Midwest region of the US who have moved the needle in the legal industry and are change agents who have made significant marks on practice, policy, and technological advancements in their areas of legal practice.
Michele Connell was appointed as the firm’s Global Managing Partner, US LLP, with responsibility for the business and operations in 34 of our global offices in the US, the Middle East, Asia and portions of Europe. Ms. Connell has established a record of excellence in M&A and governance and has been a driving force behind diversity and inclusion efforts in the firm and across the industry. She serves on multiple boards including DirectWomen, a non-profit organization focused on increasing the representation of women directors on corporate boards of which the firm was a founding member.
Ms. Rathke was recognized for her work with supply chain disputes. She co-authored a book titled Legal Blacksmith: How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes, to help companies manage supply chains more proactively. Ms. Rathke litigated supply chain disputes involving automotive, aerospace, food, medical, construction, and office products. She has argued and tried cases on behalf of manufacturers in forums throughout the US. Her clients include foreign, domestic, and multinational manufacturing entities.