Speaker Profile

Michele Roberts is the first woman to head a major professional sports union in North America. As Executive Director, Ms. Roberts serves as the primary advocate for all players, ensuring the protection of the organization and its membership, including serving as the lead negotiator in all collective bargaining activities.

Previously, Ms. Roberts was a renowned trial lawyer, focusing on complex civil and white collar criminal litigation before state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. She has been called the “finest pure trial lawyer in Washington, D.C.” and has received numerous accolades, including being recognized on rankings for Top Lawyers and Most Powerful Women.

Ms. Roberts served for eight years in the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where she was Chief of the Trial Division. She is a frequent lecturer and presenter to both the bench and bar on a variety of topics and served as an adjunct member of the faculty at Harvard Law School.