Michelle A. Whelan

Michelle A. Whelan is a Clinical Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Inclusion & Belonging at Cornell Law School, part of Cornell University. She leads the Lawyering Program and co-authored A Guide to Teaching Lawyering Skills (2012). Her career spans 17 years in private practice at Miami firms like Greenberg Traurig, specializing in commercial litigation, corporate disputes, and intellectual property.

Education: J.D. with honors from the University of Florida School of Law (1990). Professional experience includes representing clients in shareholder disputes, contract breaches, real estate conflicts, and defamation cases. Active in legal education, focusing on teaching practical legal skills and pedagogical innovation.

Her research interests emphasize legal education reform and professional development. Though no specific grants or awards are noted, her contributions to curriculum design and clinical legal education are central to her role at Cornell.