Guiding Manufacturers Through Complexity: A Conversation with Mike Sullivan

With decades of experience in both in-house and private practice roles, Mike Sullivan brings a deep understanding of the manufacturing industry and the complex legal issues that surround it. His unique perspective comes from working on both sides of the table—first as a senior executive at a global manufacturing giant, and now as a trusted advisor to clients across the Southeast and beyond.

Q: Prior to joining Taylor Duma, what was your legal background? How has that evolved into what your practice looks like today?

A: Before joining Taylor Duma, I served as Chief Legal Officer of a publicly traded international Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) company headquartered in San Jose, California. At the time, the company employed over 75,000 people and operated manufacturing facilities in 27 countries around the globe.

After stepping away from that role, I relocated to Atlanta and returned to private practice. That transition has allowed me to bring the lessons I learned as an in-house counsel—particularly the ability to balance legal risk with business priorities—to clients here at Taylor Duma. I understand what it means to sit at the executive table and provide practical legal advice that supports business growth, and that perspective is something I bring to every client relationship today.

Q: Is there a specific region where most of your clients are located? How does your legal practice cater to those types of clients specifically?

A: Most of my clients are based in the Southeastern U.S., particularly around Georgia and neighboring states. That said, I also continue to serve clients on the West Coast—including my largest client, which is an EMS company based in Los Angeles.

Regardless of where they’re located, my approach remains consistent: I focus on understanding each client’s operations, their risk profile, and their long-term business goals. Whether it’s a local manufacturer or a multi-national company, I provide legal support that is both responsive and tailored to the specific demands of their industry.

Q: Is there a specific client size or business model that works best with your legal practice?

A: No—there’s no size restriction on who I work with. My practice has spanned the full spectrum of manufacturing businesses.

For example, I’ve served as General Counsel for a $20 million manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, providing hands-on legal advice across every area of the business. On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve held the role of Chief Legal Officer for a $12 billion publicly traded EMS company. That experience gives me the ability to adapt my legal services to the needs of a wide range of clients, whether they’re lean startups or large, complex corporations.

What matters more than size is the ability to build a strong working relationship. I aim to serve as an extension of the client’s internal team - someone they trust not only to react to issues but to help them anticipate and avoid them.

Q: How does your practice intersect with the manufacturing industry? Have you worked with any manufacturing clients to date?

A: Manufacturing has been at the core of my legal career for decades. Whether serving as in-house counsel or representing companies in private practice, I’ve worked alongside manufacturing businesses of all kinds and sizes.

My experience includes navigating a wide array of legal issues that manufacturers face daily—everything from contract negotiation and supplier disputes to real estate, employment matters, and compliance. Having spent years inside the industry, I understand the pressures manufacturers face and the pace at which they operate. That experience translates into more pragmatic, business-oriented legal guidance.

Q: What sparks your interest the most about the manufacturing industry? Are you seeing any trends in your region, or where your clients are located?

A: What I find most compelling about the manufacturing industry is how it touches nearly every area of legal practice. When you're working with a manufacturer, you're dealing with real estate and leasing, labor and employment matters, supply chain issues, customer agreements, intellectual property, financing—you name it.

That complexity is what keeps the work interesting. No two days are the same, and every legal challenge is connected to something tangible being built, shipped, or improved.

In the Southeast, I’m seeing a continued push toward high-tech and advanced manufacturing. Companies are leveraging automation, AI, and smart systems to stay competitive and efficient. That shift brings new legal challenges, particularly in areas like data privacy, IP protection, and evolving regulatory compliance. It’s an exciting time to be supporting manufacturers as they adapt and grow in this rapidly changing landscape.