Congratulations to Michelle Billard, Washtenaw County's Corporation Counsel, for her 2022 Crain’s Business Detroit's “Notables in Corporate Counsel” award nomination.
In 2020, Billard was promoted to Corporation Counsel for Washtenaw County after a short stint as interim. Michelle is the first, female corporation counsel to serve Washtenaw County. She is an integral part of the leadership of Washtenaw County. She serves as the county’s top legal advisor, offering legal opinions, research and counsel to the Board of Commissioners, Administration and all county departments, navigating everything from complex legal dilemmas to departmental legal questions. She serves on the County Administrator’s Strategic Leadership Team, ensuring that the decisions made by leadership are legally sound and grounded in best practices.
She leads an office that works closely with the Risk Management and Labor Relations departments, ensuring that we work efficiently and effectively with our internal labor partners, protect ourselves from liability and minimize risk to our organization. Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, Sue Shink says of Michelle, “Throughout the pandemic, Michelle has helped us to adapt our operations. It’s such a drastically changing landscape. Her insight, experience and advice have been vital in navigating the shift from in-person meetings... to all virtual meetings...and back again.”
“Michelle has the unique ability to engage and connect with all levels of the organization.”, says Gregory Dill, County Administrator, “She provides necessary guidance and assistance to all levels of our employees who, together, provide the necessary safety net service to the residents we serve. "
Congratulations Michelle!
Michelle keeps herself abreast of the latest knowledge and practices of municipal law through her professional bar associations and affiliations. She has held membership in the bar associations of Michigan, Massachusetts, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, and the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals Federal Bar Association, Massachusetts Chapter.
In a pro bono capacity, Michelle serves as a Policy Specialist and the Director of Risk Management for Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women where she oversees risk management and develop policies for 130+ chapters of collegiate women across the United States and Canada. Michelle is a pleasure to work with, providing guidance, and the occasional sweet treat from her family’s bakery. She lives in in southeast Michigan with her husband and three, small children.