Michael A. Lawson is a Partner at Ellis George LLP.
Michael has over three decades of experience in providing legal counseling in business financings, private investment companies, and mergers and acquisitions. Michael has extensive experience in advising clients on executive compensations and employee benefits such as stock options and other equity-based compensation plans, tax-qualified and non-qualified pension plans, fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transactions, single and multi-employer plan liability matters, severance agreements, as well as ERISA-related issues in structured finance transactions, bankruptcy proceedings, and proxy contests. He has regularly counseled boards of trustees, investment advisors, investment managers, trustees, and other fiduciaries, including ERISA litigation cases, U.S. Department of Labor exemption requests, matters involving the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and cases before various government agencies. Clients appreciate Michael’s approach of integrity and long-term success as he guides them through financial decisions.
As a civil rights advocate with a passion for public service, Michael’s background also includes his position as the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, an agency of the United Nations under President Barack Obama’s administration.
Michael was named President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, where he served for six years. He remains active in these communities, serving on the boards of several influential organizations, from the Board of Airport Commissioners for Los Angeles World Airports to the California State Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees. He is a former board director and chairman of the Constitutional Rights Foundation and a former board director for the Advancement Project. Michael’s additional board memberships include Loyola Marymount University, Morehouse College, Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles County Bar Association Diversity in the Profession Section Executive Committee, John M. Langston Bar Association, New Roads School, and Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic.
Recognitions
Recognized for his activism for civil rights, impactful community engagement, and significant support of Angelenos, Michael received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at California State University, Dominguez Hills. He has also been named one of “American’s Leading Lawyers for Business” by Chambers USA, an internationally recognized legal ranking and insights intelligence organization.
Practice Areas:
- Litigation
- Executive Compensation, Employee Benefits, ERISA
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Education:
- Loyola Marymount University, B.A., 1975
- Harvard Law School, J.D., 1978
Bar Admissions:
- California
- New York
- Washington, DC
