Bio

Michelle Kantor is a Partner in McDonald Hopkins LLC and leads the Federal and Local Government Contracting & Procurement practice group for the firm. Michelle has more than 35 years experience practicing in government contracting, small business certifications, procurement law, corporate law and government contracting disputes. Michelle was named by Crain’s Business Chicago as Top Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago in August 2017, was named by Crain’s Business in Chicago's Notable Women Lawyers in August 2018 and was again named by Crain’s Business in Chicago's Notable Women Lawyers in August 2020. Michelle is a member of the Board of Directors for the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) under the National WBENC, with a 9 state region for WBE certifications, loans and business assistance. Michelle represents federal, local state government and commercial contractors, Native American-owned and Tribally-Owned firms, ANC and commercial contractors in WBE/MBE/DBE and SBA 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone certification submissions, appeals and compliance issues, small business programs, eligibility challenges, size protests, bid protests, and Appeals, contract disputes, regulatory compliance, whistleblower actions and other government issues. Michelle prepares Joint Venture, Teaming Agreements and Novation Agreements, professional service agreements, construction and design professional agreements and other commercial and government project agreements. Michelle also assists clients in SBA Mentor-Protégé submissions and supplier diversity programs. Michelle acts as outside general counsel to numerous companies regarding their corporate issues, mergers and acquisitions, succession and equity infusion planning and other legal needs. She also works with her M&A team to review and prepare stock and asset purchase agreements for small business and MBE/WBE/DBE/Veteran certification compliance; and guides her clients in transitioning ownership. Michelle is also General Counsel to the Federation of Women Contractors and a National Partner and member of Women Impacting Public Policy WIPP. She is also a Life Time Member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). She also serves on the WBDC Regional advisory committee. Michelle has also served as Deputy Director for the City of Chicago, DCAP and Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and served as Internal Counsel for three years. Michelle has received the Lifetime Advocate Award from the Federation of Women Contractors for her work in promoting, counseling and advocating for women, minority, and veteran owned small business firms. Michelle is a frequent speaker at seminars, conventions, webinars & trade associations nationwide.