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Michele Pearce

Of Counsel

Covington & Burling LLP

Washington, DC, USA

Michele Pearce

Michele Pearce’s Biography

Michele Pearce is a highly skilled lawyer with over two decades of military and government service. She serves as Of Counsel at Washington DC-based Covington & Burling LLP, an international law firm that specializes in advising clients on transactional, regulatory, litigation and public policy matters.

Michele previously served as Acting General Counsel and Principal Deputy General Counsel of the US Army. She was nominated to serve as the General Counsel in April 2020 and was voted out of the Senate Armed Services Committee in May 2020. Michele is the first Hispanic-American woman to serve in these positions.

As the Chief Legal Officer of the US Army, she was responsible for advising the Secretary on legal matters related to management of a force of 1 million soldiers and civilians, missions conducted in 140 countries and an annual budget of $178B. Specifically, Michele was responsible for matters including modernization of acquisition and contracting practices to address emerging threats, implementation of AI and hypersonics systems and ethics programs as the Army’s Designated Ethics Officer.

Of particular note, Michele spearheaded the Army’s new initiative, Project Inclusion, which focuses on strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Other significant legal issues she was responsible for include the implementation of Operation Warp Speed, the federal program focused on developing and fielding a COVID-19 vaccine.

Prior to serving in the Army, Michele was appointed by Gen. James Mattis to serve as the Deputy General Counsel (Legislation) at the Department of Defense.

Before joining the DoD, Michele was the Senior Defense Advisor to Sen. Susan Collins, providing advice on legal and budgetary matters related to DoD, DHS and DVA activities. She also served as Staff Lead and Counsel for the House Committee on Armed Services, where she oversaw a multi-billion-dollar portfolio for the DoD relating to operations and maintenance activities.

Michele Pearce’s Newsfeed

Covington & Burling LLP

Former Army Acting General Counsel Michele Pearce Joins Covington

Michele Pearce, former Acting General Counsel of the Department of the Army, has joined Covington’s Public Policy practice in Washington. “Covington is widely regarded as a go-to firm among clients in the aerospace, defense, and national security sectors, and I look forward to the opportunity to help clients navigate complex issues,” said Ms. Pearce. “I’m excited to join a dynamic team of lawyers and advisors who place a premium on policy experience.”

U.S. Department of the Army

Inclusion, diversity and equity: the Army Principal Deputy General Counsel’s story

Michele Pearce, Principal Deputy General Counsel of the Department of the Army, visited Fort Buchanan on September 29 to serve as guest speaker for the National Hispanic Heritage Month observance... Ms. Pearce first words were “I am Puerto Rican.” Right away, she shared with the audience her family experiences as she elucidated this year’s theme, “Honoring the Past, Serving the Future.”

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Michele Pearce’s Background

Covington & Burling LLP

Of Counsel

May 2021 - Present

Washington, DC, USA

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Covington & Burling LLP is an international law firm with offices in major cities across the globe, including Beijing, London, New York, Brussels, Frankfurt, Dubai and Seoul. The firm advises clients on important transactional, regulatory, litigation and public policy matters.

Department of the Army | Office of the General Counsel

Acting General Counsel

Mar 2020 - Jan 2021

Washington, DC, USA

The General Counsel of the Army serves as the chief legal officer of the United States Department of the Army and senior legal advisor to the Secretary of the Army.

Department of the Army | Office of the General Counsel

Principal Deputy General Counsel

Jan 2020 - Jan 2021

Washington, DC, USA

The United States Department of the Army is one of the three military departments forming the Department of Defense of the United States of America.

Nomination Hearing to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army

Nominee

Aug 2020 - 2020

Washington, DC, USA

Michele Pearce was nominated for the position of General Counsel of the Department of the Army in May 2020 and appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on August 4, 2020.

Operation Warp Speed

Supervisor | Legal Advisory

2019 - 2020

Washington, DC, USA

Using the resources of the federal government and the US private sector, Operation Warp Speed accelerated the testing, supply, development, and distribution of safe and effective vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to counter COVID-19.

United States Space Force

Lead Attorney

2018 - 2019

Washington, DC, USA

Founded in 2019, the United States Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the Armed Forces. The USSF organizes, equips, and trains space forces with the goal of protecting US and allied interests in space and providing space capabilities to the joint force.

United States Department of Defense | Office of the General Counsel

Deputy General Counsel (Legislation)

Sep 2016 - Jan 2020

Washington, DC, USA

Michele also served as Associate Deputy General Counsel (Personnel & Health Policy) during her time at the United States Department of Defense. The DoD is a department of the federal government overseeing all agencies and functions related to national security and the United States Armed Forces.

United States Senate

Senior Defense Policy Advisor | Office of Senator Susan Collins

Jan 2015 - Sep 2016

Washington, DC, USA

The United States Senate represents the upper chamber of the US Congress and alongside the lower chamber (House of Representatives) forms the legislature of the United States.

House Committee on Armed Services

Staff Lead | Counsel

Jul 2010 - Dec 2014

Washington, DC, USA

The U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives with oversight jurisdiction of matters related to U.S. Armed Forces.

Romney Readiness Project

Deputy Team Lead | National Security

2011 - 2012

Washington, DC, USA

As a member of the Romney Transition team, Michele was tasked with preparing a transition based on enacting rapid changes during the first 200 days of his potential administration. Specifically, Michele oversaw national security appointments.

United States Air Force

Judge Advocate

1996 - 2009

Washington, DC, USA

The United States Air Force is one of the eight US uniformed services and represents the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces.

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Michele Pearce’s Gallery

Michele in conversation with a cadet in the Department of Law during a visit to West Point, N.Y.

Michele addresses cadets in the Department of Law during a visit to West Point, N.Y.

Michele Pearce testifies at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on her nomination to be general counsel of the Department of the Army

Michele Pearce speaking to a classroom

Previous Board Positions

Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School Foundation

Board Member

Montgomery, AL, USA

The Air Force Judge Advocate General's School Foundation is an educational institute to provide students with a foundation in the principles and concepts of military law and Air Force legal procedures.

The Rape Crisis Center

Board Member

Las Vegas, NV, USA

The Rape Crisis Center (RCC) provides support and resources to victims of sexual assault

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Previous Advisory Roles

Department of Defense Task Force on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault

Legal Advisor

Washington, DC, USA

The Department of Defense Task Force on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault responds to incidents of sexual assault, with particular emphasis on the care given to the victims. The department's priorities include preventing sexual assaults from occurring and assuring the systems of reporting, responding and investigating sexual assaults are timely, effective and sensitive to victim needs.

American Bar Association

Advisor to the Legal Assistance for Military Personnel Committee

Washington, DC, USA

The American Bar Association is the national representative of the legal profession and has the defense of liberty and delivery of justice as its mission.

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Media

Military Officer Magazine

Feature | Women's History Month

Mar 2021

Alexandria, VA, USA

Michele Pearce was recognized for her career and accomplishments as a Judge Advocate and Lt. Colonel (Ret.) in the US Air Force, becoming the first Hispanic woman to serve as the Army’s acting General Counsel, and for her tireless work in improving equal access to education and opportunities for all.

Publications

Department of Defense Guidebook on Investigations

2019

Washington, DC, USA

"Sexual Assault and Female Recruits"

Contributing Author

2006

Washington, DC, USA

This chapter is from the collection titled 'Recruit Medicine', published by the Office of The Surgeon General and US Army Medical Department Center and School. "Sexual Assault and Female Recruits" looks at a range of issues on the subject, including sexual trauma, the dynamics of sexual assault in the military, medical responses, and education and prevention programs.

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Awards & Endorsements

Department of The Army

Distinguished Public Service Medal

Washington, DC, USA

The Department of the Army Distinguished Public Service Medal recognizes distinguished service toward the accomplishment of the Army's mission.

United States Department of Defense

Distinguished Public Service Medal

Washington, DC, USA

The Distinguished Public Service Medal is highest honorary award presented by the Secretary of Defense to non-career Federal employees, private citizens, and foreign nationals.

United States Department of Defense

Secretary of Defense Organizational Excellence Award

Washington, DC, USA

The Secretary of Defense Organizational Excellence Award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the mission of the Department of Defense.

Iraq Campaign Medal

Honoree

Washington, DC, USA

The Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that was created in November 2004. The medal is awarded to any member of the U.S. military who performed duty within the borders of Iraq.

United States Air Force

Alfred M. Kuhfeld Outstanding Judge Advocate of the Year Award

Washington, DC, USA

This award recognized Michele as the most outstanding judge advocate of the year based on excellence, initiative and devotion to duty.

United States Air Force

Nellis Air Force Base Air Warfare Center Company Grade Officer of the Year

Nellis Air Force Base, NV, USA

The Company Grade Officer of the Year is awarded to an officer that shows extraordinary leadership, expertise and commitment not only in their career field, but in their everyday lives as well.

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Public Service

Project Inclusion

Member

Washington, DC, USA

Project Inclusion is the U.S. Army’s initiative to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across the force and build cohesive teams. Michele has played an integral role in the initiative's 'Your Voice Matters' program, a series of listening sessions for personnel to discuss current social issues, share personal experiences, and offer suggestions to make the Army better and more inclusive.

Academic Appointments

Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School

Adjunct Faculty Member

Montgomery, AL, USA

The Air Force Judge Advocate General's School provides instruction to new judge advocates and paralegals, in addition to offering approximately 30 continuing legal education courses.

Bar Admissions

U.S Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

Washington, DC, USA

U.S. Supreme Court

Washington, DC, USA

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Community Engagement

Connect-McLean

President

McLean, VA, USA

Connect-McLean is a community-based civic organization focused on school and traffic safety initiatives and funding.

Michele Pearce’s Education

The University of Connecticut School of Law

Juris Doctor

1993 - 1996

Mount Holyoke College

Bachelor's degree, English (cum laude)

1988 - 1992