Michael Hall is a partner in Ice Miller’s Public Affairs Group. He brings to bear more than 25 years of state and federal public policy and political experience, uniquely positioning him to craft strategies and develop solutions that help clients navigate their government relations needs.
Michael has extensive experience in—and a practical understanding of—the executive branch of state government, including the Governor’s office, all cabinet-level agencies, and Ohio’s boards and commissions. He is also experienced in the development and operation of legislative coalitions to successfully advance public policy goals through the Ohio General Assembly.
Prior to joining Ice Miller, Michael served as Chief of Staff to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. During his tenure, the Administration successfully passed a transportation budget that increased investment in Ohio’s transportation infrastructure, passed two operating budgets that in tandem with many successful Administration policy initiatives created H2Ohio to protect Ohio’s water resources, reformed the state’s Medicaid managed care program, and created in-demand job training programs to meet the workforce needs of Ohio businesses. He also led the joint economic development efforts of the Governor’s staff with JobsOhio and cabinet agencies to create a new microchip manufacturing industry in Ohio by attracting companies like Intel Corporation, as well as maintain the state’s position in the automotive manufacturing industry with the expansion of companies like Honda into electric vehicle production. His time in the Governor’s office and on the successful 2018 gubernatorial campaign also included the role of Director of Policy.
Michael also served in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as the Director of Outside Counsel, where he represented all state agencies, constitutional offices, the legislature, universities, and retirement systems in Ohio. Michael oversaw all securities fraud litigation and other complex class-action matters on behalf of the state, and served as a member of the legal team for all public-private partnerships (P3) deals entered or contemplated by the Ohio Department of Transportation or a state university.
Michael also spent time on Capitol Hill, where he worked as a legislative assistant in the office of then-United States Senator Mike DeWine. As part of the legislative staff, Michael focused on policy matters before the Senate Judiciary Committee and advised on the issues of telecommunications, transportation, agriculture, veterans’ affairs, and national defense.
Early in his career, Michael served as a lawyer at two Ohio law firms, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate, and general corporate law matters for business clients.
Michael received his B.A. in Political Science from Cedarville University in 1996 and his J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 2004. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2004.