Michelle likes to win, and clients appreciate the experience, judgment, and mindset she brings to every engagement. Known for her hands-on, commercial approach, she works closely with clients to develop strategies that move matters forward efficiently and decisively.
As the leader of Reed Smith’s global Antitrust & Competition team, Michelle provides clear, coordinated guidance across litigation, transactions, investigations, and compliance in the United States and internationally.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Represented Imker Capital Partners portfolio company, Euramax for Mobility, in its joint venture with Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc.
Successful resolution of an Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) wage fixing investigation resulting in no action against our home health care company client and closure of the investigation in less than one year
Obtained dismissal (without prejudice) of leading drug wholesale company in multi-district antitrust class action litigation (In re Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2724, Reliable Pharmacy, 19-cv-6044, Doc. No. 155).
Represented Imker Capital Partners portfolio company, Euramax for Mobility, in its joint venture with Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc.
Successful resolution of an Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) wage fixing investigation resulting in no action against our home health care company client and closure of the investigation in less than one year
Obtained dismissal (without prejudice) of leading drug wholesale company in multi-district antitrust class action litigation (In re Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2724, Reliable Pharmacy, 19-cv-6044, Doc. No. 155).
Lead antitrust counsel for divestiture buyer U.S. Venture relating to pipeline and storage company Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s $435 million acquisition of competitor Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.
Ongoing representation of health care provider in investigation pursuant to Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act.
Ongoing representation of health care service provider in DOJ wage fixing investigation.
Merger control counselling, including HSR filings and responding to agencies inquiries for dozens of transactions in 2022 relating to the energy, IT, healthcare, financial, media, and manufacturing sectors.
Ongoing representation and defense of PNC Bank in one of the largest antitrust multi-district litigation proceedings ever (In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litig., No. 1:05-md-01720 (E.D. N.Y.).
Ongoing defense of one of the world's largest bearings manufacturers in the automotive parts antitrust multi-district legislation cases in the Eastern District of Michigan.
Successfully defended publicly traded company relating to no-poach and no-hire claims and allegations.
Successfully defended a major steel producer in coordinated conduct, market allocation and price-fixing conspiracy cases by indirect purchasers.
Obtained dismissal of a purported nationwide class action brought against PNC Bank in federal court in the Northern District of California.
Served as co-lead U.S. antitrust counsel for client's agreement to sell its end-to-end managed satellite and terrestrial communications business for approximately $425 million.
Successfully defended market-leading public company in an industry-wide criminal bid rigging investigation by the DOJ, resulting in no charges and no action taken against our client.
Assists with obtaining antitrust approval for divestiture buyers before antitrust authorities.
Advised a pharmaceutical company on antitrust issues relating to the $462 million sale of its subsidiaries.
Advised a major manufacturer on U.S. antitrust issues relating to the $339 million sale of its velocity controls business.
Counsels dozens of clients in responding to civil investigative demands from the FTC and information requests from state attorneys general in connection with investigations of mergers and alleged price-fixing across various industries.
Retained by large public and private companies to conduct antitrust internal investigations and manage antitrust compliance training and related matters.
Contributed to the successful defense of insurer against antitrust claims.
Advises dozens of corporate clients on the need for and execution of Hart-Scott-Rodino Act filings and related pre- and post-merger counseling.
Provided successful representation on motion to dismiss a class action complaint against a bank client and one of its mutual funds and the fund’s trustees related to the fund’s redemption of preferred shares in the wake of the collapse of the auction rate securities market.
Obtained a favorable settlement of claims on behalf of a mortgage lender that orally contracted to purchase more than $20 million of loans from the plaintiff bank.
Defended and obtained a favorable settlement for a major bank in defense of claims relating to an interest rate swap agreement.
Assisted with the successful defense of a leader in the industrial supply industry against a claim for breach of contract.
Served as counsel for Highmark in responding to a civil investigative demand from the FTC and information request from the Pennsylvania attorney general in connection with an investigation of Reading Hospital's merger with Surgical Institute of Reading.
Successfully defended WESCO Distribution in two AAA arbitration matters filed by Remote Inventory Systems alleging breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets relating to inventory management software.
Contributed to the successful defense of Highmark in a lawsuit by West Penn Allegheny Health System Inc. (now Allegheny Health Network) against it and the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center for conspiracy in violation of the antitrust laws.
Assisted lead antitrust counsel for DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ) in its $230 million merger with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (Mumbai).
Obtained summary judgment in favor of United States Steel Corporation, defeating an antitrust action brought by Stanislaus Food Products Company. Plaintiff claimed that the defendants had entered into an agreement to allocate the market for sales of tin mill products to tin can manufacturers in the western United States in violation of section 1 of the Sherman Act, California’s Cartwright Act, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code, and California’s Unfair Competition Law. Stanislaus Food Products Co. v. USS-POSCO Industries, et al., No. 1:09-cv-00560 (E.D. Cal. 2013), affirmed, No. 13-15475 (9th Cir. 2015).
Obtained a favorable settlement for a major steel producer in coordinated conduct, market allocation, and price-fixing conspiracy cases.
Recognitions
- Ranked in Chambers USA for Pennsylvania Antitrust, 2023-2025
- 2024 Mentor & Mentee Collaboration Winner, Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards 2024, Corporate Counsel
- 2023 Best Law Firm Mentor, Pennsylvania Legal Awards 2023, The Legal Intelligencer
Credentials
Education
Education
- Duquesne University School of Law, 2006, J.D., cum laude, Comment Editor, Duquesne Law Review; Katie Elisabeth Westbrook Award for Excellence (2006); Order of the Barristers (2006); ATLA Regional Trial Competition Champions (2006); Buffalo/Niagara Trial Competition Finalist & Best Advocate Award (2005); National Trial Competition Regional Finalist (2005); Carol Los Mansmann First Year Appellate Moot Court Competition Finalist (2004)
- Washington & Jefferson College, 2003, B.A., Economics, Political Science and Spanish, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa; recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Book Prize in Economics, the Howard Goldfarb Prize in Political Science, and the J. Adolph Schmitz Prize in Languages
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Pennsylvania
Court admissions
Court admissions
- State Supreme Court - Pennsylvania
- Supreme Court of Appeals - West Virginia
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court - Central District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- Supreme Court
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- American Bar Association – Antitrust Section
- Journal of Federal Agency Action – Board of Editors
- Washington & Jefferson College – Pre-Law Alumni Advisory Board (2011-present)
- Duquesne University Kline School of Law – Past Board Member; General member (2006-Present)
Clerkships
Clerkships
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Pennsylvania, Chief Judge Gary L. Lancaster (deceased)
News
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Blogs
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Events
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Civic and Charitable Affiliations
- March of Dimes Western PA Market Board of Directors (2023-Present)
- Vice-Chair of 2021 Pittsburgh Signature Chefs Auction Event for March of Dimes
- Pittsburgh YWCA – Board Member (2015-2021); Secretary (2017) Executive Committee Member (2017–2021) and Chair of Development Committee (2017-2019)
Interests
Michelle lives with her husband, Brian, and their three children Madeline, Henry, and Olivia in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. As a former marathoner, competitive figure skater, and certified yoga and spinning instructor, Michelle is passionate about exercise and its associated benefits on one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.