Michelle M. Murray
Carlisle
Summary
Dynamic legal leader with extensive experience at the Social Security Administration, specializing in employment law and compliance. Proven track record in litigation strategy and risk assessment, enhancing organizational efficiency and policy development. Adept at dispute resolution and mentoring teams, successfully leading landmark cases and driving strategic initiatives.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Counsel – Office of the Inspector General
Social Security Administration
Washington
06.2021 - Current
- Principal legal advisor to the Inspector General on a broad array of issues including employment law, ethics, procurement, fiscal compliance, and privacy.
- Lead strategic legal initiatives involving organizational restructuring, personnel disputes, and employment litigation.
- Direct and mentor a multidisciplinary legal team; develop talent through targeted training, career growth planning, and performance development.
- Oversee internal investigations related to harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and misconduct by senior officials.
- Streamlined early legal involvement in operational audits, boosting efficiency and enhancing legal risk mitigation.
- Designed and led legal education programs for leadership on key topics including accommodations, discrimination, harassment, and conflicts of interest.
- Represent the agency in employment litigation before the EEOC, MSPB, OSC, and coordinate with DOJ on federal litigation.
Deputy Counsel – Office of the Inspector General
Social Security Administration
Washington
01.2020 - 04.2021
- Advised executive leadership on legal compliance, personnel policy, and employment-related litigation strategy.
- Managed the review and modernization of national personnel policies to align with evolving legal standards and organizational needs.
- Oversaw whistleblower protection functions and internal personnel policy compliance.
Acting Director & Senior Attorney – Office of Strategy and Performance
Social Security Administration
Washington
06.2019 - 01.2020
- Directed strategic evaluations of organizational performance and personnel processes to enhance efficiency.
- Supervised team focused on improving legal operations, data integrity, and policy compliance.
Senior Litigation Counsel, Employment Law
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Washington
11.2016 - 06.2019
- Led legal strategy and oversight for employment law matters across nine regions, covering 26 field offices.
- Provided expert legal counsel on performance management, discipline, EEO, whistleblower matters, and federal litigation.
- Represented the agency in complex cases before the MSPB and EEOC; collaborated with internal investigators and HR executives.
- Conducted nationwide trainings on employment law trends, gender identity discrimination, and litigation best practices.
Senior Attorney, Labor & Employment Law
Social Security Administration
Woodlawn
06.2010 - 11.2016
- Delivered high-level legal counsel to agency executives on employment litigation, discrimination claims, and labor relations.
- Successfully led high-impact litigation and investigations, including the first precedent-setting removal of an administrative law judge for performance.
- Played a lead legal role in a landmark class action EEO case and advised on strategic litigation responses.
General Attorney, Labor & Employment Law
Social Security Administration
Woodlawn
04.2005 - 06.2010
- Represented the agency in administrative hearings and developed employment policies addressing whistleblower protections, accommodations, and digital records.
Associate, Labor & Employment Group
DLA Piper
Baltimore
06.2003 - 10.2004
- Provided litigation counsel and risk mitigation advice to private sector clients on a range of employment law matters.
Associate, Labor & Employment Division
Miles & Stockbridge, P.C.
Baltimore
09.2001 - 06.2003
- Defended national corporations in state and federal employment law matters; managed litigation from intake through trial.
Education
Senior Executive Fellows - Executive Certificate
Harvard Kennedy School
Boston, MA02.2020
Juris Doctor - Cum Laude
Georgetown University Law Center
Washington, DC05.2001
Bachelor of Arts - All-Ivy Academic Honors
Yale University
New Haven, CT05.1996
Skills
- Employment law and compliance
- Litigation strategy and risk assessment
- Investigative procedures and policy development
- Personnel policy drafting and updating
- Dispute resolution
- Legal analysis
- Process optimization
Awards
- CIGIE Excellence in Multiple Disciplines, 2024
- Council of Counsels to IGs Leadership Award, 2023
- DOJ Assistant Attorney General’s Exceptional Service Award, 2018
- SSA Commissioner’s Team Award (Lead), 2015
- SSA General Counsel Individual and Team Citations, 2015
References
Available upon request.
Additional Leadership Affiliations
- Liaison, CIGIE Legislative Committee
- OIG Touhy and Giglio Officer
- Internship Program Director & Career Mentor, Federal Legal Community
Bar Admission
Maryland, In Good Standing, 12/01/01
Timeline
Chief Counsel – Office of the Inspector General
Social Security Administration
06.2021 - Current
Deputy Counsel – Office of the Inspector General
Social Security Administration
01.2020 - 04.2021
Acting Director & Senior Attorney – Office of Strategy and Performance
Social Security Administration
06.2019 - 01.2020
Senior Litigation Counsel, Employment Law
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
11.2016 - 06.2019
Senior Attorney, Labor & Employment Law
Social Security Administration
06.2010 - 11.2016
General Attorney, Labor & Employment Law
Social Security Administration
04.2005 - 06.2010
Associate, Labor & Employment Group
DLA Piper
06.2003 - 10.2004
Associate, Labor & Employment Division
Miles & Stockbridge, P.C.
09.2001 - 06.2003
Senior Executive Fellows - Executive Certificate
Harvard Kennedy School
Juris Doctor - Cum Laude
Georgetown University Law Center
Bachelor of Arts - All-Ivy Academic Honors
Yale University
Similar Profiles
Benjamin FoleyBenjamin Foley
Claims Technical Expert at Social Security Administration, SSAClaims Technical Expert at Social Security Administration, SSA
Kirk LennardKirk Lennard
Claims Representative at Social Security Administration, SSAClaims Representative at Social Security Administration, SSA
Kelley A. DraineKelley A. Draine
Benefit Authorizer at Social Security AdministrationBenefit Authorizer at Social Security Administration
Sara SmithSara Smith
Customer Service Representative at Social Security Administration, SSACustomer Service Representative at Social Security Administration, SSA
Eden MosemannEden Mosemann
Caregiver at Self-employeedCaregiver at Self-employeed