Michael J. O'Neil

Michael O'Neil's practice focuses on international trade, security, information technology, privacy and federal policy.  He advises foreign and domestic clients on both regulatory and legislative solutions.  His recent work has involved counseling U.S. and foreign parties on investment in the U.S., and assisting a range of U.S. clients on critical infrastructure protection, privacy, trade compliance, and Congressional investigations. 

Michael also serves as the North American Director of the Trilateral Commission. He heads up the Trilateral office, meets regularly with Trilateral members in North America, Europe and Pacific Asia, and helps coordinate Trilateral studies. Michael has had a distinguished public service career in defense and intelligence matters and has served in positions in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Immediately prior to joining the firm, Michael served as the general counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency. In this position he was responsible for the conduct of all legal affairs of the Agency. He also served as the chief of staff of the Agency where he coordinated the legislative and public affairs strategy and acted as the Agency's liaison to the National Security Council and Intelligence Community agencies.

In 1995, Michael served as the counselor to the secretary and deputy secretary of defense. In this position he advised the secretary and deputy secretary on policy, organizational and legislative matters. From 1989 to 1994, he served as the counsel to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Thomas S. Foley (D–WA). In addition to advising the speaker on all legal and national security issues, he acted as liaison to foreign embassies and U.S. national security agencies. Before his work for the speaker, Michael served as the chief counsel to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 1977 to 1989.

Michael is the recipient of the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the highest honor awarded by the Central Intelligence Agency, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.