Michael B. Coleman has established a national reputation as a transformational leader in business, law, government, and the civic arena. Skilled at bringing people together, Michael has a history of collaboration craftsmanship leading to viable solutions of complex problems. His long history of transformational leadership is manifested in leading roles in a nearly 400-attorney law firm, corporate board responsibility, and as the City of Columbus' longest-serving and first African American mayor. Known as a progressive leader and a pro-business mayor, Michael played an instrumental role in expanding business and employment opportunities and in making Columbus the sought-after business destination it is today.
Michael's leadership in law is recognized through his role as Partner-In-Charge of Ice Miller's Government Law Group and listing as a Government Relations Practice Best Lawyer in America in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Michael blends advocacy with strategy to create dynamic partnerships between business, government, real estate development and urban policy furthering the city's vibrant and thriving reputation. Michael represented 5 of the region's top 10 real estate developments in 2019 and some of the city's largest developers in 2020, 2021 and 2022 totaling approximately $1B in real estate development value.
Michael's leadership in business is evidenced by his work on the board of directors of Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS) serving as the chair of the Sustainability Committee. Michael also serves as an organizing board member of Adelphi Bank, an anticipated minority-owned and controlled bank.
In addition, Michael holds board positions with multiple non-profit organizations including OhioHealth, Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation, Columbus Museum of Art and KIPP Columbus Schools. He is a founding member of the African American Mayors Association, and Chair of the Board of Advisors of The Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Michael is immediate past chair of The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and serves as a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce until the end of 2022.
As a four-term Mayor, Michael built visions, collaborations and strategies that consistently exceeded goals. His impact reached from revitalizing forgotten neighborhoods to reimagining the entire downtown landscape, saving the city from financial ruin, and advancing forward-thinking concepts to inspire a smarter, stronger, and more sustainable capital city. Facilitating these achievements required managing annual capital and operating busgets of approximately $2B, leadership of 9,000 employees and acquisitions of $7B in private investment.
Prior to serving as Mayor, Michael was a partner with Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co., LPA, which later combines with Ice Miller in 2012. Michael earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati and his Law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law, and he is the recipient of six honorary Doctorate degrees.
Michael is a prolific public speaker on topics such as economic development, neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, leadership challenges and racial reconciliation. In addition, his expertise in the areas of leadership, sustainability, and urban economic development has been cited in multiple books and other publications.