Michael McDonnell

About Michael McDonnell

As New York Life\'s General Counsel, I am helping a storied financial institution navigate complex, high-stakes legal, regulatory and business challenges in a rapidly changing world. Building on the success of its first 180 years, New York Life is now transforming itself to succeed through the volatility and uncertainty of the next 180. I am fortunate to have a voice in this incredible effort. I lead a team of 275+ legal, compliance and government affairs professionals. We drive progress and reinforce a strong ethical culture across New York Life\'s businesses. We are intensely focused on transforming ourselves as technological change accelerates, seeking more efficient ways of working and productive applications of artificial intelligence across our legal, compliance and lobbying practices. I came to the role of General Counsel after more than 20 years at the intersection of law and business in the insurance industry, first at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and then for the past 12 years here at New York Life.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President & General Counsel

   New York Life

   Oct 2022 — Present · New York, NY, US

   Mike has day-to-day oversight of New York Life\'s Office of the General Counsel. The company\'s Corporate Compliance Department and Office of Governmental Affairs also report up through Mike.

Education

• Bowdoin College

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), History, German

  1994 — 1998

• University of California, Berkeley

  Doctor of Law (J.D.)

  2000 — 2003