Michelle Miller

Medtronic

Michelle Miller, former vice president and chief counsel of employment law at Medtronic Inc., spent decades expanding access to the legal profession while championing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the Minnesota legal community.

Miller’s path to law began with a vision formed in the 1960s. “As a teenager in the 1960’s, I was inspired by the opportunity to make the world a better place — a vision that has guided me throughout my career and life,” she wrote. After a successful career in academia, Miller enrolled in law school in her mid-30s, initially aspiring to become a civil rights litigator. She quickly discovered litigation wasn’t her passion, but her commitment to civil rights, equity and diversity could be applied in other legal venues.

After earning her juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1986, Miller practiced employment law at Leonard, Street and Deinard, serving as special master for eight employment discrimination class actions. She joined Medtronic in 1996 as senior legal counsel, eventually becoming vice president and chief counsel of employment law, responsible for delivering global legal services on employment matters.

At Medtronic, Miller developed and led the Law Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative and served as executive sponsor for multiple employee resource groups. Following George Floyd’s murder, she and Medtronic established two endowed scholarships at the University of Minnesota Law School honoring judges Pamela Alexander and Michael Davis to support students committed to social justice and civil rights.

Miller’s service extended across numerous organizations, including chairing the University of Minnesota Law School Board of Advisors, serving on the boards of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, and holding leadership positions with Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers and Minnesota Women Lawyers.

“Rather than a single defining moment, my journey has been grounded by purpose and passion toward expanding access to and within the legal profession and mentoring future leaders,” Miller explained. Miller retired from Medtronic in 2023.