Role at BarkerGilmore
Since May 2017, Michelle Banks has been a Strategic Advisor and Coach at BarkerGilmore where she specializes in executive leadership coaching for women General Counsel. Michelle brings an exceptional corporate perspective to her clients to help them transition into new roles, manage change, and successfully resolve the array of challenges they face. She primarily supports newer General Counsel and those who are going through a period of transition (e.g., going global or public, changing industries, etc.).
Board Affiliations and Accolades
Active in many non-profit organizations, Michelle is Co-Founder of UCLA Law Women LEAD, a network of more than 4,200 women law students and alumnae at her alma mater, and Ms. JD’s award-winning LaddHer Up retreat, pairing seasoned women General Counsel with early career women law firm associates for inspiring professional development and mentorship.
Michelle has received numerous national and regional awards, including the ABA’s “Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement” Award in 2019 and the Burton Foundation’s “Legend in Law” Award in 2016. She has been recognized as a “Top General Counsel to Watch” by Corporate Board Member, a “Corporate Counsel Innovator” by the Financial Times, and a “Distinguished General Counsel” by the Directors Roundtable.
She is a frequent speaker on leadership, presenting to numerous organizations such as the Association of Corporate Counsel, Association of General Counsel, Center for Women in Law, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and National Association of Women Lawyers.
Education
Michelle earned her B.A. in Economics with College Honors from UCLA and her J.D. from the UCLA School of Law.
Expertise
Leadership Development, Organizational Strategy, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Succession Management
Experience
As Gap Inc.’s Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer, Michelle was a key member of, and strategic advisor to, the CEO’s senior leadership team and reported to the CEO and the Audit & Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. In addition to managing teams in 15 countries, Michelle served this iconic retailer in leadership roles that resulted in successful global expansion, acquisitions, three CEO transitions, and restructuring of the company’s operating model.
Before her tenure at Gap Inc., Michelle served as Legal Counsel to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Before then, Michelle served in the Corporate and Finance, Latin America, and Asia practice groups at global law firm Morrison & Foerster. She began her career in the Corporate practice group at Sheppard Mullin.
Industry Experience
Industrial, Financial, Non-Profit, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Technology, Consumer
Michelle's Insights
As Bob Dylan once sang, “You don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind’s blowing.” Similarly, you don’t have to be an economist to foresee the [...]
A Guide for Onboarding Legal Executives In a recent BarkerGilmore GC Advantage℠ webinar, “Creating an Effective Onboarding Plan for a Senior Legal Leader,” experienced General Counsel Cherée Johnson and [...]
Strategic Advisor and Coach Michelle Banks, former EVP, Global General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and CCO of the Gap Inc., is joined by Angela Han, Senior Corporate Counsel at HealthPro Heritage, [...]
