The catalyst for Michele Yarbrough’s accomplished legal career came as a student at the University of Southern Mississippi in the early 2000s, where she experienced moments of discrimination based solely on her gender. While pursuing a degree in criminal justice, she felt a desire to make a difference for those unable to speak for themselves, serve her community, and utilize her education for good. While earning a Master of Public Administration at the University of South Alabama, she gained experience as a Worthless Check Division Intake Clerk for the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office; she ultimately advanced to business manager. She subsequently found success as a grant administrator for the Office of Prosecution Services.

In the midst of a lengthy position as a business manager at the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Ms. Yarbrough studied for her Doctor of Jurisprudence at the Birmingham School of Law. Ultimately attaining her law degree in 2015 and being admitted to practice in Alabama in 2016, she joined the office as general counsel from 2017 to 2019. She was then active as an associate attorney-turned-lead associate attorney at Scott and Associates between 2019 and 2022.

Since 2022, Ms. Yarbrough has excelled as general counsel and employee relations manager at Hyundai Glovis. In this capacity, she handles everything from contracts and labor law compliance to workers’ compensation and civil litigation, including garnishments; manages all legal matters; supervises two external law firms where the workload exceeds available hours each week; deals with sensitive internal labor relation matters and conducts high-level investigations related to fraud and theft. Additionally, she handles complaints, collaborates with different individuals to gather the necessary statements, investigates the allegations, and works to resolve disputes between the parties involved. As a testament to her legal expertise and effectiveness, she boasts an exceptional win ratio in court over the course of her career, having taken 90 cases to trial and losing only one.

In addition to her primary endeavors, Ms. Yarbrough has found great fulfillment in volunteer work, dedicating her time and skills to causes she is passionate about. She contributes pro bono hours to organizations she’s involved with, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution—from which she’s won a Community Service Award for Excellence in Community Service—as well as USA Rugby, where she provided hundreds of hours of legal assistance while she served on the board. She was also the first woman elected president of the Battleship Men’s Rugby Club in Mobile, Alabama, and assisted in the formation of the Auburn University Women’s Rugby Club, serving as their first coach from 2009 to 2010, and in the formation of the Troy University Men’s Rugby Club, their first coach in 2010.

Ms. Yarbrough also channels her creative passion as a quilter for Quilts of Valor, an organization that honors American war veterans by presenting them with handmade quilts; she also makes smaller ones for children’s cancer hospitals, bringing brightness and cheer to young patients in their wards. For Ms. Yarbrough, these activities are meaningful ways to give back to her community.

Looking toward the future, Ms. Yarbrough sees herself further enhancing the labor relations and legal department within her company, striving to strengthen the foundation for employees and create an even better working environment. She considers the company her home and expresses her deep appreciation for it, affirming her intention to retire there due to the strong sense of loyalty and love she feels for the organization.