Experience, Innovation, Leadership
Facing a rapidly changing legal sector, Michael helps firms and lawyers develop strategies and practical skills to navigate these changes. He brings a unique range of experiences at top global law firms – Latham, Freshfields and White & Case. He has worked as a partner, a Chief Marketing Officer and a leader of innovation. He is a visionary and collaborative leader experienced in operating in complex organizations.
About
Michael Hertz
Michael has a diverse range of experiences working in top global law firms, including serving as a partner, a chief marketing officer, a chief knowledge officer, and the founder of an innovative non-profit. He leverages these experiences to help individuals, teams, leaders and firms achieve success. He offers a range of services, including executive coaching, training, and consulting.
He has been a certified executive coach since 2021. He has applied these skills extensively in his leadership roles with large global teams and through the White & Case’s award-winning internal coaching program. Furthermore, Michael has co-designed and delivered training programs tailored for new partners, associates, and leaders.
His approach to coaching centers on listening deeply to each person’s experiences, understanding their environment and setting practical steps for achieving their goals. His years of experience navigating complex, matrixed global organizations and leading a global team allows him to provide unique insights and highly relevant guidance.
Michael has an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, a master's degree from the University of Chicago, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. He is a graduate of the iCoach Executive Coaching program and Hogan certified.
Michael lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his spouse. He has two children and is also an avid dog lover.
Services
Based on these experiences, Michael now consults on a variety of areas for law and other professional services firms and the people and teams that are working inside these organizations, including:
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Consulting
He works with firms in a wide range of areas such as strategy, key clients, industry go-to-market approaches, lateral integration, client feedback, thought leadership and innovation.
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Individual Coaching
He works 1:1 with leaders and other professionals to improve impact and leadership potential.
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Team Coaching
Michael works with teams – legal and business support – to improve collaboration and team effectiveness.
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Training
Michael has co-developed training programs for leaders, partners and associates. Topics range across people leadership, business development, marketing and innovation.
Testimonials
A super guy,
Some say a Jedi too.
He worked wonders for me —
Imagine what he could do for you!
Hugh Verrier, Chair of White & Case (2007-2023)
Michael has always understood the link between innovation and excellence in client service. Listening to clients and designing solutions that address clients’ pain points requires a certain mindset. He has it and I am excited to see how he applies it in his role as a coach and consultant.
Michele DeStefano, Professor of Law, University of Miami and Founder of LawWithoutWalls
Michael brings an unusually thoughtful perspective to the legal profession, shaped by his time as a partner at Latham, his leadership as Chief Marketing Officer of White & Case, and his work building an innovation-focused nonprofit. What sets Michael apart is his ability to understand how lawyers develop business and how markets really function. He combines strategic insight with a deep appreciation for the people and cultures that drive successful firms. People trust Michael because his advice is grounded, practical, and deeply informed by experience.
Deborah Farone, Former CMO at Cravath and Debevoise. Author, Breaking Ground (Jan 2026). Consultant & Legal Industry Strategist.
There are few people who can combine being a lawyer with business development, marketing and innovation across three global law firms, but Michael is one of them. A winner of an FT innovation award himself, as well as being behind some standout innovations from his time at Freshfields and White & Case, Michael understands the partner psyche and their struggles across a range of areas such as business development and innovation. He will be a rare asset to any partnership looking to go on a change journey.