COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
222 NORTH MAIN ST. · P.O. BOX 8645 ·ANN ARBOR, MI ·48107-8645
MEDIA RELEASE
April 29, 2022
For Immediate Release
Contact: Crystal S. Campbell, Public Information Officer | [email protected] | (734) 478-1856
Washtenaw County Corporation Counsel, Michelle Billard, nominated for
Crain’s Business Detroit “Notables in Corporate Counsel” Award
Ann Arbor, MI – Michelle Billard, Washtenaw County Corporation Counsel, has been nominated for a “2022 Notables in Corporate Counsel” award by Crain’s Business Detroit. Billard joined Washtenaw County in 2017 as Assistant Corporation Counsel. In 2020, she was promoted to Corporation Counsel after a short stint as interim. Michelle is the first, female Corp. 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. She navigates 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.
Billard leads an office that works closely with the Risk Management and Labor Relations departments, ensuring that Washtenaw County works efficiently and effectively with our internal labor partners, protects ourselves from liability and minimizes 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 different environment. Her insight, experience and advice have been vital in navigating the ever-changing, Covid-19 landscape.”
“Michelle has the unique ability to engage and connect with all levels of our 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. We are very proud that she has been recognized for her work."
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. She lives in southeast Michigan with her husband and three children.
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