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Michael McGinley
Senior Of Counsel
Corporate
Washington, D.C.

D202-378-9055

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Michael (Mike) McGinley is Senior Of Counsel at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he advises clients in the defense technology sector, leveraging his extensive experience in defense innovation, government acquisitions, contracting, and compliance requirements.

Prior to joining the firm, Mike led national defense technology accounts for Google Public Sector, advising clients on defense, AI, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions. Previously, he was appointed by the Secretary of Defense to establish and lead the Boston office of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Department of Defense’s innovation arm, where he developed strategy, led defense business development, and regularly engaged with senior Defense Department leaders, members of Congress, and allied officials. During his time at DIU, he launched initiatives including the GigEagle talent marketplace and The Cambridge Project, a technology evaluation program in partnership with Harvard, MIT, and Tufts.

Mike is a Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force Reserve with more than 25 years of service and extensive experience in government operations. He created and leads the Department of War’s first AI-driven national security talent operations platform and plays a critical role in the modernization of Air Force programs worth more than $60 billion annually. In recognition of his contributions to government IT and national security innovation, Mike was honored with a 2025 Federal 100 Award and the 2025 GovCIO Flywheel Award for Innovation in Emerging Technology.

In private practice, Mike co-founded the cybersecurity practice at Wiggin and Dana LLP and previously handled complex dispute resolution at Clifford Chance. Earlier in his career, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Margaret A. Ryan at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the nation’s highest military court.

Mike is practicing virtually in Massachusetts. He is licensed in Washington, D.C. Mike is not admitted in Massachusetts and therefore not authorized to practice law in Massachusetts.

Experience

Michael (Mike) McGinley is Senior Of Counsel at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he advises clients in the defense technology sector, leveraging his extensive experience in defense innovation, government acquisitions, contracting, and compliance requirements.

Prior to joining the firm, Mike led national defense technology accounts for Google Public Sector, advising clients on defense, AI, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions. Previously, he was appointed by the Secretary of Defense to establish and lead the Boston office of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Department of Defense’s innovation arm, where he developed strategy, led defense business development, and regularly engaged with senior Defense Department leaders, members of Congress, and allied officials. During his time at DIU, he launched initiatives including the GigEagle talent marketplace and The Cambridge Project, a technology evaluation program in partnership with Harvard, MIT, and Tufts.

Mike is a Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force Reserve with more than 25 years of service and extensive experience in government operations. He created and leads the Department of War’s first AI-driven national security talent operations platform and plays a critical role in the modernization of Air Force programs worth more than $60 billion annually. In recognition of his contributions to government IT and national security innovation, Mike was honored with a 2025 Federal 100 Award and the 2025 GovCIO Flywheel Award for Innovation in Emerging Technology.

In private practice, Mike co-founded the cybersecurity practice at Wiggin and Dana LLP and previously handled complex dispute resolution at Clifford Chance. Earlier in his career, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Margaret A. Ryan at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the nation’s highest military court.

Mike is practicing virtually in Massachusetts. He is licensed in Washington, D.C. Mike is not admitted in Massachusetts and therefore not authorized to practice law in Massachusetts.

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