Michael J. Gillespie, Partner, Co-head of Diversity & Inclusion, Debevoise & Plimpton

 

 

Michael Gillespie is a corporate partner who advises senior management and boards of companies and investors acting throughout the world, including the United States, Latin America, Asia, India, Russia and various other jurisdictions and regions. Over three decades, Mr. Gillespie has served as trusted advisor to some of the largest companies and groups globally. His work has covered a broad span, from M&A and other strategic transactions to critical governance, compliance and risk management issues.

He has served on the firm’s Management Committee and is a senior member of the M&A, TMT, and Latin America groups, among others. Mr. Gillespie is also co-head of Diversity & Inclusion at the firm.

Mr. Gillespie is ranked in the top tier by Chambers USA, where he is described as “well known and eminent,” “diligent, client-focused and thoughtful about business needs.” Chambers sources also say he is “a phenomenal listener and has an extraordinary strategic mind,” “a wise and insightful adviser, a tenacious advocate and a results-oriented deal lawyer.” According to clients, “he embodies all that you need in a trusted advisor.” He is listed in The Legal 500 US as a “senior statesman” in the media and telecoms sector and is recommended as a leading lawyer for Latin American investment by Chambers USA, where he has been lauded as a “superb negotiator” who “possesses experience and strong background on Brazilian-related deals.” He is also mentioned in Chambers Global as “a great negotiator with rock-solid legal knowledge.”

Mr. Gillespie joined Debevoise as an associate in 1986 and became a partner in 1995. He received a B.A. summa cum laude from Amherst College in 1982 and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1986.