J. Michael Schell

J. Michael Schell joined Citigroup as Vice Chairman - Global Banking in August 2005.  He assumed a senior leadership role in Citigroup's effort to become the leading global advisory and investment banking franchise. His primary focus is developing and maintaining major client relationships and providing senior M&A expertise.

Mr. Schell spent 29 years as a Wall Street lawyer - principally with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP where he was one of Wall Street's most respected M&A lawyers and a senior partner in the firm's Merger & Acquisitions group.  He earned a reputation as a skilled and determined deal tactician on both offense and defense.  He helped clients design, structure and implement a variety of types of transactions in diverse industries -- many of them high profile and many of them contested or competitive or both.  Many were international.  Mr. Schell was noted for his enduring client relationships, several of which lasted more than 20 years.  In sum, Mr. Schell's experience is broad-based and diverse. 

Mr. Schell received his Bachelor's degree from Columbia University, majoring in English, and received his law degree from Boston University School of Law.

Mr. Schell began his career with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft.  He was recruited to join Skadden Arps' fast-growing M&A group in 1979 after working against them in what was the first, large public prototypical LBO transaction.  He was elected a Skadden Arps partner in 1984.

Mr. Schell is active in a variety of charitable, educational and civic activities.  He is a trustee of Lake Forest Academy and a member of the Boston University School of Law Board of Visitors, a member of the Columbia College Board of Visitors at Columbia University, the National Down Syndrome Society's Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the Gordon A. Rich Memorial Foundation.  He is a former trustee of Boston University.