Michael R. Cannon
Former Executive Vice Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, Litigation Partner in Major Washington, D.C. Law Firm, and Federal Prosecutor of White Collar Crime
Beyond his legal expertise, Michael assumed important leadership roles in university management.
He was responsible for overseeing the budgets and operations of various administrative departments of the university, chaired or served on numerous executive search committees for both academic and administrative leaders, chaired the university’s institutional conflict-of-interest policy development committee, created the institution’s first enterprise risk management policy, and founded the university’s prestigious post-graduate fellowship program that mentors applicants for distinguished scholarships like Rhodes and Marshall. He was also actively involved in academic life, teaching courses on insurance law at the law school, and the undergraduate course he still teaches today on legal conflict in modern American society.
Before joining Washington University, Michael was a partner in a prominent Washington, DC law firm, focusing on insurance litigation and commercial law. Earlier in his career, he served as a federal prosecutor handling public corruption cases for the Department of Justice. Michael holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, an A.B. in Economics from Washington University, and a B. Litt. in Politics from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
His higher education expertise spans complex regulatory compliance, high-stakes litigation, financial and management oversight, and policy development that protects and advances university missions. Over decades, Michael has partnered closely with university leaders, offering trusted advice that balances innovation with tradition. His collaborative, solutions-driven approach has helped shape governance, foster ethical research practices, and guide institutions through evolving legal and economic landscapes, and in his consulting practice he has continued to do so.
Recognized as a national leader in higher education legal affairs, Michael Cannon has built a legacy of thoughtful, strategic counsel and management that supports academic excellence and institutional integrity. He co-founded a leading organization of Chief Legal Officers of major research universities that is now in its 21st year.
Michael Cannon is a seasoned attorney with more than 23 years experience leading legal and executive functions in higher education.
Michael served as Executive Vice Chancellor and General Counsel at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was the chief legal advisor to the university’s Board of Trustees, Chancellor, and senior leadership. In this role, Michael provided legal counsel and operational leadership across all aspects of university operations, including academic affairs, sponsored research matters, medical center clinical activities, university-wide human resources, and faculty governance practices.
Throughout his tenure, Michael managed a broad range of responsibilities, including navigating complex litigation in areas such as employment, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. He developed and enforced key institutional policies on issues like Title IX, research ethics, and personnel matters. Michael also played a critical role in ensuring the university’s compliance with federal laws and regulations affecting research funding, clinical care, and financial aid.
