Michelle is a seasoned litigator with a multifaceted practice that encompasses complex commercial litigation, white collar defense, and government investigations. She has extensive experience with shareholder, construction, product liability, and contract disputes as well as consumer class actions and criminal defense matters. She represents clients in a broad spectrum of industries, including health care, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, education, financial services, construction, technology, retail, and telecommunications, as well as governmental entities and nonprofits.
A dynamic and driven practitioner with 20 years of experience, Michelle nimbly guides clients through all phases of litigation before state and federal courts and administrative bodies. She regularly provides counsel on highly sensitive matters, often assisting with crisis management and strategies for handling the press. Her practice includes representing corporations and individuals being investigated by or targeted for indictment by the US Department of Justice or for prosecution by various federal and state agencies. She also represents colleges, universities, and university systems in investigations.
Prior to joining Mintz, Michelle was a partner at a US-based law firm, where she handled a wide range of high-stakes litigation. She also served in several leadership roles at the firm, most recently as the managing partner of the Baltimore office, a member of the Executive Committee, and
Michelle also serves in leadership and board roles at numerous bar, civic, and alumni organizations. She has received many honors for her work, including being named a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation and one of the "Most Influential Black Lawyers" by Savoy magazine.
In law school, Michelle served on the Georgetown Journal of Gender and the Law.
Experience
- Represented a high-profile client in criminal and related civil matters in Delaware and Maryland.
- Represented a manufacturer in a multimillion-dollar, international breach of contract matter that was settled via arbitration.
- Represented a municipality in a multimillion-dollar breach of contract case that was settled via mediation.
- Represented a multinational retailer in a $25 million bench trial for breach of lease, which resulted in a partial summary judgment for the defense.
- Handled multidistrict litigation on behalf of a national retail organization against a builder of approximately one dozen stores in multiple states. The matter involved approximately $30 million in overall construction claims and resulted in favorable judgments and subsequent settlements for the client, including the coordination of replacement contractors and suppliers.
News & Press
Mintz DC Managing Member Michelle N. Lipkowitz Named “Managing Partner of the Year” by The National Law Journal
October 25, 2024
Mintz DC office Managing Member Michelle N. Lipkowitz was selected as the 2024 “DC Managing Partner of the Year” by The National Law Journal. The award recognizes “business leadership prowess” and highlights “notable initiatives and successes around law firm management,” according to the publication.
Benchmark Litigation has recognized seventeen Mintz Members in its 2024 guide to the leading litigation firms and lawyers in the US. The firm was also acknowledged for its work in Massachusetts, being named “Highly Recommended” in the Commonwealth and received top-tier rankings across three practice categories, including General Commercial, Insurance, and White Collar.
Mintz DC Managing Member Michelle N. Lipkowitz Named a “Managing Partner of the Year” Finalist by The National Law Journal
September 09, 2024
Mintz announced that its DC office Managing Member Michelle N. Lipkowitz has been named a finalist for The National Law Journal’s inaugural “DC Managing Partner of the Year” award. The award recognizes “business leadership prowess” and highlights “notable initiatives and successes around law firm management,” according to the publication. The winner will be announced at an awards dinner on October 24.
The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 184 Mintz Attorneys across 56 Practice Areas
August 15, 2024
187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Benchmark Litigation has recognized 14 Mintz Members in its newly released 2024 guide to the leading litigation firms and lawyers in the US. The firm was also acknowledged for its work in Massachusetts and received high rankings across three practice areas, including General Commercial, Insurance, and White Collar.
Mintz is pleased to announce that DC Office Managing Member Michelle Lipkowitz and Associate Courtney Herndon have been selected for the National Black Lawyers (NBL) “Top 100” list. Additionally, Associates Alain Mathieu, Allanah Wynn, Laura Martin, and Chris Lighten have been named to the National Black Lawyers' “Top 40 Under 40”.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Michelle Lipkowitz's appointment to Managing Member of the Washington, D.C. office was featured in an article published by Savoy.
Mintz Names New DC Office Leader
April 4, 2023
The National Law Journal covered the appointment of Michelle Lipkowitz to Managing Member of the Washington, D.C. office.
Mintz Taps New Office Managing Members In SF, DC
April 3, 2023
Law360 featured the appointment of Michelle Lipkowitz (Washington, D.C.) and Stephen Osborn (San Francisco) to Office Managing Partners.
BOSTON – Mintz is pleased to announce the appointments of Michelle N. Lipkowitz and Stephen M. Osborn as Office Managing Members in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, respectively.
Mintz Announces New Member Growth
December 16, 2022
We're thrilled to announce the addition of 17 new Members to Mintz. Along with seven attorneys recently elevated to membership in the firm, we’ve welcomed ten lateral Members in 2022. They add depth to our experience and capabilities in life sciences, health care, financial services, private equity, sports & entertainment, technology, and other sectors.
New Member Michelle N. Lipkowitz's move to Mintz was covered in The Maryland Daily Record. On the reasons for joining Mintz, Michelle said, “Mintz was super attractive to me because they’re just doing so many things well. I found their attorneys to be very talented, entrepreneurial and collaborative.”
Saul Ewing's Baltimore Leader Jumps To Mintz In DC
October 19, 2022
Mintz Member Michelle Lipkowitz's arrival to the firm was featured in an article published by Law360 Pulse.
Saul Ewing Executive Board Member, Office Leader Exits for Mintz
October 18, 2022
Mintz Member Michelle Lipkowitz's arrival to the firm was featured by The American Lawyer.
Preeminent Litigator Michelle N. Lipkowitz Joins Mintz
October 18, 2022
Mintz is pleased to announce that Michelle N. Lipkowitz has joined the Washington, DC office as a Litigation Member.
Recognition & Awards
Benchmark Litigation: Litigation Star (2023-2025)
Best Lawyers in America: Commercial Litigation (2023-2025), Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2024-2025)
The Daily Record: Influential Marylander (2021)
Benchmark Litigation: Local Litigation Star in Maryland (2020 to present)
Baltimore Business Journal: Leader in Diversity (2019)
Savoy magazine: Most Influential Black Lawyers list (2015, 2018, and 2022)
Included on the Maryland Super Lawyers list (2015 to present)
ABA Forum on the Construction Industry: Fellow (2013 – 2015)
The Daily Record: Leader in the Law (2014)
Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, The Distinguished Women's Award (2014)
Selected to the Maryland Super Lawyers: Rising Stars list (2013 and 2014)
National Bar Association and IMPACT: Nation's Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40 (2013)
The Daily Record: Named to the "Top 100 Women in Maryland" list (2013)
Named a "Mover and a Shaker" by Diversity & the Bar magazine (2011)
The Daily Record: Named one of Maryland's "Leading Women" (2010)
The Daily Record: VIP List (2010)
Involvement
- Board Member, University of Maryland Medical System
- Board Member, Folio Collaborative
- Former Chair, Transportation Professional Services Selection Board, State of Maryland
- Former Chair and Member, Baltimore City Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals
- Former Member, Character Committee, Second Appellate Circuit of Maryland
- Former Member, Baltimore County Planning Board
- Former Board Member, Baltimore Urban Debate League
- Former Board Member, Park Heights Renaissance
- Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2014)
- Fellow, Baltimore Bar Foundation
- Trustee, Baltimore Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Leadership Academy, Maryland State Bar Association (2003-2004)
- Executive Member, Academy Committee, Leadership Academy, Maryland State Bar Association
- Member, Bar Association of Baltimore City
- Member, Judicial Nominating Committee, Bar Association of Baltimore City
- Member, Bench Bar Committee, Bar Association of Baltimore City
- Member, Women's Bar Association of Maryland
- Member, Monumental City Bar Association
- Maryland interviewer, Harvard Alumni Association
- Member, Harvard Club of Maryland
- Member, Harvard University Black Alumni Association
- Member, Georgetown University Law Center Alumni Association
- Member, Potomac School Alumni Association
- Member, Groton School Alumni Association
- Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
Recent Insights
Mintz DC office Managing Member Michelle N. Lipkowitz was selected as the 2024 “DC Managing Partner of the Year” by The National Law Journal. The award recognizes “business leadership prowess” and highlights “notable initiatives and successes around law firm management,” according to the publication.
Benchmark Litigation has recognized seventeen Mintz Members in its 2024 guide to the leading litigation firms and lawyers in the US. The firm was also acknowledged for its work in Massachusetts, being named “Highly Recommended” in the Commonwealth and received top-tier rankings across three practice categories, including General Commercial, Insurance, and White Collar.
Mintz announced that its DC office Managing Member Michelle N. Lipkowitz has been named a finalist for The National Law Journal’s inaugural “DC Managing Partner of the Year” award. The award recognizes “business leadership prowess” and highlights “notable initiatives and successes around law firm management,” according to the publication. The winner will be announced at an awards dinner on October 24.
