Michael S. Hawley
Former Chair, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, Board of Directors (2007-2009) & Partner, K&L Gates

Mike, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, moved to Florida after high school and enrolled at the University of Florida, where he received his undergraduate degree in Economics.  A job in the banking industry took him to Tampa, where he worked for a bank holding company for over six years, managing equity portfolios for the Trust Department and, later, government bonds for the holding company.  While there, Mike attained designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst and has continued to stay active in that organization.

In career shifts, Mike and his wife (of 39 years), Katherine, resigned from their jobs in Tampa and headed back to law school and medical school, respectively, resulting in another extended stay in Gainesville, Florida.  As their programs didn’t coincide perfectly, Mike obtained a graduate law degree in taxation (LL.M.), following his J.D. degree, and was fortunate to be able to teach tax classes at the law school for two years while Katherine was working through internship and residency in Gainesville.

Having lived in a number of places and concluding that staying in Gainesville forever was not an option (although tempting in the Spring and Fall), Mike and Katherine surveyed several potential places in which to settle down.  Charlotte kept appearing high on their list, since it looked to be a very dynamic and welcoming community, with the added attraction of being within striking distance of the mountains.

They made the calculated move to Charlotte in 1983, with Mike beginning his law practice at Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman and Katherine ultimately joining the Nalle Clinic as an internal medicine specialist.  They were accurate about their impressions of Charlotte and were greeted with open arms.  Both have been very involved in community organizations, including the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, Rotary Club of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Medical Society (Katherine as Past Chair), US Airways Education Foundation, British American Business Council, Myers Park Homeowners Association, Charlotte Foreign Trade Zone and others.

Mike’s practice as a lawyer is in the tax, corporate and succession planning areas.  He works regularly with international companies, which provided an early connection to the World Affairs Council.  Kennedy Covington combined with the global law firm K&L Gates in 2008, expanding available resources considerably and permitting Mike and colleagues to further connect Charlotte to the world, through their 37 offices in Asia, Europe and the US.

When asked about his involvement with the Council (which he Chaired from June 2007 through December 2009), Mike noted the following:

From a macro perspective, the World Affairs Council is a community gem, engaging students and teachers in global thinking and bringing speakers of renown to Charlotte for community gatherings on pressing international topics.  WACC programming not only fosters understanding of critical international issues but also helps to connect all of us, with global awareness as a shared goal.

At a micro level, some of Katherine’s and my best friends and closest acquaintances developed as a result of involvement in the World Affairs Council.  It is brimming with incredibly talented, interesting and engaging folks.  We are privileged to be associated with the organization and have been richly rewarded with unbelievable opportunities and life experiences.