Overview
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.
Honors & Recognition
Named one of the "Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago" by Crain's Chicago Business (2017)
Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers (2015-2018)
Center for Empowerment & Economic Development (CEED), Business Training & Professional Development Outstanding Volunteer (2015)
Life Time Advocate Award – Advocating for Women, Veteran and Minority Businesses (2013)
Credentials
Education
Loyola University of Chicago Law School
DePaul University Dispute Resolution Center
Bradley University
Hofstra University
Admissions – Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Washington D.C.
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar Member)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
- Illinois Supreme Court
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Accredited Attorney: Veteran Claims
Admissions – State
- Illinois
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
Court of Federal Claims Bar Association
Federation of Women Contractors (FWC) General Counsel
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Lifetime Member
WBENC - WBDC Local Corporate Business Partner, Advisory Committee
Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
SDVOB Elite of Illinois, General Counsel
Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing
News & Insights
External News & Publications
"The ABC’s of Diversity Certifications & Teaming Arrangements: Opportunities for Large and Small Contractors and Suppliers", ASA Chicago Edition, Winter 2010
"Contracting with the Government", Smart Business Magazine, 2009
"Structuring Construction Deals, Key Legal & Practical Issues to Address", Inside the Minds: Aspatore Books, 2007
"Construction Contract Fundamentals", Lorman Education, May 2005
"Outsourcing Professional Services: Legal Issues to Consider", NAPM Chicago Purchaser Magazine, 2002
Events
Speaking Engagements
Leveraging Diversity Certifications and Ownership Changes, Succession, Asset Purchase and Novations, Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Selling, Buying, Transferring Small Business Ownership & Succession Planning training, American Indian Chamber Education Fund PTAC, December 15, 2020
Contract Crisis Government and Private Contracts, Thursday, November 19, 2020
New Federal Contracting Laws & Small Business Administration Program Updates, PTAC Workshop and UCEDC, October 8, 2020
Joint Ventures, Teaming Agreements and Mentor Protégé: The Good, Bad and Very Ugly, US Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Aug. 21, 2020
Contract Crisis, Force Majeure, Terminations of Contracts: Immediate Action Items, Arizona Indian Chamber of Commerce and AZ PTAC, Aug 13, 2020
Protecting Your Certifications During Corporate Changes, PTAC Workshop and UCEDC, July 30, 2020
WBDC Regional Conference Speaker, Summer Summit Series, Guest Speaker and Panelist, July 28, 2020
Contract Crisis Webinar, US Veteran Organization VET-Win, July 8, 2020
Final SBA Rule for WOSB/EDWOSB Certifications – Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center, July 2, 2020
Highlights – Final SBA Rule for WOSB/EDWOSB Certifications – Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center, July 2, 2020
Contract Crisis Webinar, Government & Private Contracts – Force Majeure, Terminations, Suspensions and Suggested Immediate Action Items, Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force, June 17, 2020
New SBA Final Rule WOSB Program, Webinar, Host with WBDC, Guest Speaker, June 11, 2020
Federal and Local Government Financial Relief for Small Businesses: Demystifying the New Loan Programs and Applying for Relief, June 10, 2020
Contract Crisis Webinar, Government & Private Contracts – Force Majeure, Terminations, Suspensions and Suggested Immediate Action Items, Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force, May, 26, 2020
Succession Planning, US Women Impacting Public Policy, April 22, 2020
Federal Financial Relief for Small Business: Demystifying the New Loan Program and Practical Tips to Apply, Phoenix Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, April 17, 2020
Federal and Local Government Financial Relief for Small Businesses: Demystifying the New Loan Programs and Applying for Relief, Women's Business Development Center, April 7, 2020
Teaming, Partnering, & Subcontracting, The VETS Group Small Business Seminar, November, 12, 2019
Selling, Acquiring or Transferring Small Business Ownership Interests: Legal & Practical Tips for Federal Contractors,Veterans Enterprise Training & Service Group Advanced Business Financial Workshop Series, November 6, 2018
Buying and Selling Small Businesses and Impact on Certifications,Navy Gold Coast Small Business San Diego Conference, August 6, 2018
New And Important Federal Laws And Small Business Program Updates,SAME Phoenix, Small Business Conference, June 21, 2018
Corporate And OtherChanges That Can Impact Small Business Certification, PTAC, New Jersey, May 10, 2018
Bid Protests: How, Why and When to Protest:National 8(a) Conference, Nashville, TN Feb 1, 2018 Corporate and OtherChanges That Can Impact Small Business Certifications, FWC workshop, December 12, 2018
Mergers, Acquisitions, Equity, Investments & Succession Planning:SAME National Conference Pittsburgh, PANov 16, 2017
Red Flag Fraud Indicators of Pass-Thrus -SAME Government Contracting Official Workshop:Nov. 14, 2017, Pittsburgh, PA
Corporate Changes That Can Compromise SDVOSB, WOSB, 8(A), Hubzone And DBE Certifications Including Partial Sale Of Ownership Interests, Acquiring Firms Or In Succession Planning, National APTAC Conference, Hyatt Hotel, Washington DCNov. 7, 2017
New And Important Federal Laws & Small Business Program Updates For Federal Contractors Native American PTAC, Phoenix, AZSeptember 2017
Maintaining Certifications When Selling an Ownership Interests In Your Company, Acquiring a New Company Or Succession Planning.WBENC Regional Conference, Rosemont, IL Sept2017
New And Important Federal Laws And Small Business Program Updates: State of Nevada, PTAC, Las Vegas, August 4, 2017
New Federal All Small Business Mentor Protégé Program:Women Impacting Public Policy and Small Business Administration Business Day.July 2017
Certifications, Protecting Them and Joint Venture Teaming Considerations: Federal Reserve Bank, Detroit, MIJuly 20, 2017
New SBA Rules and Other Laws Impacting Government Contractors, SBA Cleveland & NASA Cleveland, OH, June 20, 2017
New Mentor Protégé Program, Teaming & Joint VenturesWebinar SBA Columbus, May 2, 2017
Buying and Selling Your Business: How Reorganizations Can Impact Your Federal and other Certifications:WBDC,Kansas City,May 4, 2017
New SBA Regulations and Other New Federal Laws that can Impact Your BusinessSociety of Military Engineers, (SAME) Small Business Industry Day,Phoenix AR,April 27, 2017
SBA Mentor Protégé Small Business ProgramUSACE Small Business Conference, Nashville Tennessee,March 15, 2107
Federal Bid and Size Protests: Legal Issues and Practical TipsSBA Columbus, Feb. 23, 2017
Business Reorganizations That May Impact Your Certifications and Buying & Selling WBE and Diverse Businesses, WBDC Chicago, Feb 15, 2017
Protecting Your Certifications, Understanding Actions That Can Lead To Decertification & What To Do When The Government Knocks On Your Door, IDOT workshop, Chicago, Feb 14, 2017
Bid, Size, And NAICS Protests- Why, How, And When To Pull The Trigger State of Nevada PTAC, Dec. 2, 2016, Las Vegas NV
New Game Changing SBA Small Business Mentor Protégé Programs and Changes to Small Business Joint Venture rules, Beyond B2B: Connecting for Growth, Dayton, OH, October 4, 2016
Federal Teaming, Joint Ventures, and Mentor Protégé: New Sweeping Rules, ChallengeHer, Chicago, IL September 1, 2016
Protecting Your Certifications, Understanding Actions That Can Lead To Decertification & What To Do When The Government Knocks On Your Door,FWC, Chicago August 31, 2016
Teaming, Joint Ventures, and Mentor Protégé: New Sweeping Rules, ChallengeHer, Livonia, MI, August 9, 2016 and Chicago, IL, September 1, 2016
USACE Chicago & Detroit District Understand the New SBA Teaming, Joint Venture and Mentor/Protégé Rules to Increase Revenue Streams, Procurement Information You Need to Know August 1, 2016, USACE offices Chicago
Latest Changes In Laws That Impact Federal Contractors; SAME Phoenix Post Small Business Symposium, Phoenix, AZ, July 28, 2016
Construction Law and Contracts: Protect Your Bottom Line; Turner Construction Minority and Women Business Construction Management Training Program, July 13, 2016
WOSB, WBE & MBE, Certifications: Eligibility Criteria & Protecting Your Certifications; Turner Construction MBE/WBE Construction Management Training Program July 13, 2016
Federal Laws and Small Business Program Updates, Society of Military Engineers (SAME) 2016 Joint Venture Training Conference & Expo, Phoenix, AZ, May 24, 2016
New Federal Regulations and their impacts on Small Business, 3rd Annual Pacific Northwest SAME Small Business Symposium, Seattle, WA, April 26, 2016
Government Protests and Debriefings: What to Do and How to Do It, WBDC Workshop, Chicago, IL, April 12, 2016
Bid, Size & NAICS Protests: When, How and Why to Protest, National APTAC Spring Conference St. Louis, MO. April 4, 2016
New and Important Federal Laws & Small Business Program Updates, State of Nevada PTAC, Las Vegas, NV April 1, 2016.
Joint Ventures, Teaming and Mentor-Protégé Agreements for WOSB's, US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE and PTAC) Nashville, TN, March 17, 2016
New Changes to the WOSB/EBWOSB, Joint Venture Agreements & Other Federal Contracting Law Updates. Arizona PTAC, SBA, Phoenix, AZ, March 3, 2016
WOSB Program updates, WBDC Luncheon, Cleveland, OH, February 29, 2016
FAR and Federal Government Law Training, Chicago, IL, January 22, 2016
Joint Ventures & Teaming Agreement: Legal & Practical Tips APTAC Fall 2015 Training Event, Washington, DC, November 8-11, 2015
Bid, Size and NAICS Code Protest – Why, How and When to Pull the Trigger and Recent Protests of Interest, Proposed Suspensions, Debarments, Terminations for Default, Ethics Violations and Negative Past Performance Reports; New and Important Federal Laws and Small Business Program Updates; 2015 National Veterans Small Business Engagement (NVSBE), Pittsburgh, PA, November 17-19
New DBE Laws and Good Faith Effort Compliance, Federation of Women Contractors, Chicago, IL October 13, 2015
New WOSB, Joint Venture and Other Important Federal Laws and Program Updates, Great Lakes Women's Business Conference, Novi, MI, September 29-30, 2015
Joint Ventures, Teaming, Mentor Protégé Agreements & Federal Laws Impacting Your Bottom Line, PTAC, Frankfort, KY, August 27, 2015
Which Certification is Right for You, Business Smart Week, Detroit, MI, August 3-7, 2015
Teaming Agreements, A&E Federal Projects Source Selection Workshop, Phoenix, AZ, July 30, 2015
New Federal Laws That Can Impact Your Business, 2015 DOE and SAME Great Lakes, Energy Forum and Small Business Industry Days, Chicago, IL, April 14, 2015
Construction Subcontracts: Legal Risks and Tips, IDOT workshop, Chicago, IL, April 7, 2015
New DBE Laws and other Federal Laws impacting Construction Contractors, WCOE Women Build America 2015 Leadership Conference, Washington, D.C., March 29, 2015
New and Important Federal Laws that Affect Small Businesses Workshop, PTAC and WBDC Chicago, IL, March 25, 2015
Understand and Negotiate Your Contracts, WBDC Leadership Institute for Women Keynote Speaker, Indianapolis, IN, WBDC and CEED Michigan, March 10, 2015, WBDC Leadership Institute for Women Keynote Speaker, WBDC and CEED Michigan, Grand Rapids, MI, March 12, 2015
Teaming & Joint Ventures on Government Contracts to Grow Your Business, SBA Annual Lenders Awards Luncheon, San Diego, CA , February 18, 2015
Federation of Women Contractors: DBE New Rules/Protect your Certifications, Chicago, Illinois, February 2015
Joint Ventures, Teaming and Affiliation and New Federal Small Business Contracting Laws, APTAC National Conference, Washington, DC. Nov. 11, 2014
NDAA & Federal Contracting Law Updates, SAME Phoenix Post, Small Business Symposium, Phoenix, AZ, Oct 10, 2014
Ethics in Federal Government Contracting, SAME Phoenix Post, Small Business Symposium, Phoenix, AZ, Oct 10, 2014
FAR Training Course, Taught 5 hour course at Lehigh University, Allentown PA, Sept 24, 2014
Joint Ventures and Teaming: Legal and Practical Tips, Ohio University PTAC and Columbus SBA, Columbus, Ohio Sept. 10, 2014
New Federal Laws that Can Impact Your Small Business and New Protest Decisions of Interest, Business Smart Week, Federal Reserve Bank, Detroit, MI, August 7, 2014
Joint Ventures and Teaming for Contracts, Federal Reserve Bank, Detroit, MI, August 7, 2014
Protecting and Preserving your Small Business Certifications Business Smart Week, Federal Reserve Bank, August 4, 2014
Legal Issues Involved in Joint Ventures & Teaming Arrangements Success, PTAC and Native American Indian Chamber of Commerce National Conference, Palm Springs, CA, July 22, 2014
Joint Ventures, Teaming and Mentor Protégé Relationships: Legal & Practical Tips, & New Laws That Can Impact Small Business, Native American PTAC, SBA Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, April 28, 2014
NDAA, New Federal Laws and Updates, APTAC National Conference, San Francisco, March 25, 2014
Federal Joint Venture & Teaming Agreements: Legal and Practical Tips; SAME & USACE Small Business Conference; Nashville, Tennessee, March 12, 2014
8(a) and other Small Business Certifications & Benefits, PTAC and Women’s Business Development Seminar Workshop, Chicago, Illinois, February 19, 2014
Federal Contracting News, Laws and Updates, MIDWEST SBLO Group, PTAC, College of DuPage, Illinois, February 12, 2014
Joint Venture & Teaming Workshop, PTAC & WBENC, Chicago, Illinois, February 6, 2014
USACE Construction Roundtable; Joint Ventures and Mentor Protégé Programs, Hyatt Regency, Cincinnati, Dec 5, 2013
New Defense Authorization Act and Other Recent Federal Contracting Laws, Kittyhawk SAME Post, Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 6, 2013
5% Rule: WOSB Federal Contracting Program Updates and Opportunities, MICEED, PTAC and Michigan WBDC, Regional Conference, Sept 26, 2013, Novi, Michigan
Joint Venture, Teaming Agreements and Mentor Protégé Programs, Michigan PTAC and SBA, Livonia Michigan, Sept 17, 2013
Getting Your House in Order Before You Bid for a Federal Contract, PTAC – Chicago & Women’s Business Development Center, Aug 28, 2013
Teaming Joint Ventures and Mentor Protégé Program Updates, SDVOB Elite National Conference, Sand Diego, CA. August 25, 2013
Ethics and Business Code of Conduct Workshop, New Federal Laws, Bid and Size Protest Workshop, and Joint Ventures and Teaming Workshop, National Veterans Small Business Conference (NVSBC), America's Center Convention Complex, St. Louis, August 5-8, 2013
5% Rule: How to Navigate and Secure Federal Contracts, New Woman Owned Small Business Workshop (WOSB), PTAC and WBDC Chicago, Illinois July 25, 2013
Legal Agreements for Teams, Chicago Urban League, Chicago, Illinois June 29, 2013
WOSB Federal Contracting Program Updates and Opportunities, Women Construction Owners and Executives Annual Conference (WCOE), St. Regis Hotel, Washington D.C., April 24, 2013
WOSB Federal Contracting Program and Recent Updates, WCOE, Washington D.C. April 23, 2013
New Defense Authorization Act and Federal Law Updates Society of Military Engineers, Phoenix Post, April 12, 2013
Federal Small Business Teaming, Joint Ventures and Mentor Protégé Programs, Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Detroit Post, April 4, 2013
Updates on Various Federal Contracting Laws & Recent Bid & Size Protest Decisions, Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Detroit Post, April 4, 2013
Teaming, Government & Corporate Small Business Contracting & Next Steps, WBDC, Lear Corporation, Southfield, Michigan, March 7, 2013
Teaming, Government & Corporate Small Business Contracting & Next Steps, WBDC, Herman Miller, Inc., Zeeland, Michigan, March 5, 2013
Teaming, Government & Corporate Small Business Contracting & Next Steps, WBDC, Duke Realty, Indianapolis, Indiana, February 28, 2013
Federal Contracting Opportunities, WBDC, Chicago, Illinois, December 6, 2012
Government Contracting, Subcontracting Plans and Teaming, Legal Issues for Illinois Structural Engineers Half Moon Seminars, Wheaton, Illinois, November 28, 2012
Tribal Contracting Opportunities,8(a) Certifications Tribal Economic Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 2012
Teaming, Affiliation and Recent Federal Laws, National HUBZone Conference, Washington, D.C. September 5-7, 2012
Teaming, Joint Venture and Mentor Protégé Program Benefits and Rules, Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Memphis, Tennessee, August 15, 2012
Teaming for Contracts, WBE and other Small Business Certifications, Women’s Business Development Center, Aon Center, Chicago, Illinois, August 2, 2012; Target Financial Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 7, 2012; Rubin Brown, St. Louis, Missouri, August 9, 2012; Harley-Davidson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 16, 2012
Small Business Certifications, Set-Asides, Teaming and Mentor Protégé Program, 9th Annual National Convention of Service Disabled Veterans and Small Business, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 2012
Corporate Structures, MBE/WBE certifications and Contracting Law, Chicago Urban League, June 2012
National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo, Detroit, Michigan, June 2012
Tribal Government Federal Contracting and Supplier Diversity Programs, Michigan Tribal Government Forum, Lansing, Michigan, May 17, 2012
Government Contracting and Small Business Certifications American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Arizona, Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, March 16, 2012
Small Business Certifications, Set-Asides, Teaming and Mentor Protégé Programs, 2012 Rocky Mountain Society of Military Engineers Training, Phoenix, Arizona, March 14, 2012
Key Federal Contracting Laws and Bid Protest Updates: Society of Military Engineers, Regional Great Lakes Conference, Northbrook, Illinois, March 6-7, 2012
Understanding & Negotiating Subcontracts for DBEs, Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago, Illinois, January 30, 2012
Government Contracting and Teaming, WCOE National Conference, Washington, D.C. February 6, 2012
International Teaming and Joint Ventures, United States and South Africa International Women’s Business Conference, Chicago, Illinois, October 2011
Teaming, Joint Ventures and Mentor Protégé Programs, WBENC, WBDC, Chicago, Illinois, October 2011
Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program (WOSB) WBDC, Chicago, Illinois, October 2011
Mentor Protégé Agreements Workshop Facilitator, SAME Great Lakes Regional Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 2011
Joint Ventures and Mentor Protégé Programs, SDVOSB Service Elite National Convention, Chicago, Illinois, July 22, 2011
Drafting Service Agreements and Work Scope, BOMA National Convention, National Harbor, June 2011
Federal Teaming, Joint Ventures and Subcontracting Workshop, Federal Certifications and Audits Workshop , Key Federal Contracting Laws, Workshop, SAME Midwest Small Business Expo, March 16-17, 2011
New Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) and the 8(m) Program; Small Business Set-Aside Certification Criteria and Audits; Teaming, Joint Ventures And Subcontracting; New Federal 2010 Small Business Jobs Act Presentation; Key Federal Contracting Laws that Everyone Must Know, Small Business Symposium, Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Phoenix, Arizona, February 18, 2011
Key Federal Acquisition Rules Relating To Procurement, Teaming and Set-Aside Contracts, National Web Seminar for National Society of Professional Engineers February 15, 2011
Key Federal Acquisition Rules Relating To Procurement and Set Aside Contracts, Women Construction Owners and Executives (WCOE) Annual Conference, Washington D.C., February 7, 2011
Joint Ventures, Mentor/Protégé Programs & Strategic Partnerships, WBDC, Chicago, Illinois, January 2011
HUBZone and other Federal Certification & Set-Asides, Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing, Chicago, Illinois, November 2010
SDVOSB Certification Criteria and Protecting Your CVE, SDVOSB Elite Conference, Foxwoods, Connecticut, August 19, 2010
Construction Law & Contracts, USDOT DBE Bonding Program, Chicago, Illinois, July 2010
Construction Law Contracts, Turner Construction Management Training, Chicago, Illinois, July 2010
Construction Contracts & MBE/WBE/DBE Certifications Illinois Tollway Authority Conference, May 2010
Federal Government Contracting and Legal Issues, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, February 2010
Construction Law, Illinois Department of Transportation, Feb 2010
Government Certification Rules – Getting Certified & Rules To Keeping Your Certifications, DBE Annual Conference, Illinois Department of Transportation, Springfield, Illinois, March 2010
Federal and Public Government Contracting National Web Seminar Part 2, November 2009
Federal Government Contracting National Web Seminar Part 1, October 2009
Construction Law and Contracts: Protect Your Bottom Line, Illinois Department of Transportation Chicago, DBE Workshop Series, Chicago, Illinois, February 2009
Drafting the Scope of Work, BOMA Chicago, Brown Bag Lunch, June 2008
Construction Law and Contracts, U.S. Department of Commerce, Women and Minority Contractor Model Development Program, Chicago, Illinois, February 2008