September 3, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved partner, colleague and friend Michele M. Mulrooney. She passed away on September 1, 2025.
A visionary leader and a founding member of Willkie’s Los Angeles office, Michele’s passion, dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence were instrumental in driving Willkie’s growth, culture and success in Los Angeles and beyond. As one of the nation’s leading private wealth and estate planning attorneys, Michele served as Co-Chair of Willkie's National Private Wealth Group, and has been widely recognized and celebrated as a trailblazing attorney and trusted advisor to her many clients during her four-decade career.
Aside from her many impressive legal accomplishments, Michele was deeply committed to giving back to others, including through her work as a mentor and advocate for women. Early in her career, she worked part-time because she had young children. When she went back to full-time and eventually became a partner, she ensured that her firm kept women active in law by giving them the opportunity to work a reduced schedule to balance family and career without sacrificing one for the other. Michele also had a strong passion for philanthropy and derived great satisfaction from helping her clients realize their philanthropic goals and giving back to institutions that were meaningful to her, including those supporting education, women’s rights and equal opportunity for all.
She was an active leader in the LA legal community. Through her role as a Board Member of the USC Gould School of Law, her alma mater, and her longstanding support of other community initiatives, Michele was deeply respected for her integrity, compassion and generous spirit. She also served as Co-chair of the Building Committee for Gould, and as a member of the UCLA Health System Board.
We will remember Michele not only for her many professional achievements, but as a compassionate leader, committed mentor and dedicated advocate who touched so many lives at Willkie, in the legal community, in Los Angeles, and beyond. Her legacy will continue to inspire us for many years to come.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Michele’s family, including Michele’s two daughters, two grandchildren and two step-sons, during this incredibly difficult time. While Michele was a brilliant and highly accomplished lawyer, she took immense pride in her role as a mother. Our thoughts are with her loved ones as we join together in honoring an extraordinary leader and remarkable person.