Michele Smolin – Locus Fermentation Solutions

When Michele Smolin entered the Pittsburgh Sisters of Mercy after graduating from college, she envisioned a life committed to education, healthcare, and service to the underserved alongside an illustrious group of like-minded women. The idea of becoming a lawyer was not on her radar. She was an accomplished musician, had earned a music performance degree and aspired to a path that would lead her to a PhD in music and a career as a college professor teaching future generations. But life had other plans.

Michele Smolin | Locus Fermentation Solutions | General Counsel

Surrounded by sophisticated, intelligent and mission-driven women, she found her aspirations shifting. Preparing for leadership roles in institutions run by the Mercy Congregation—hospitals or universities—seemed natural. A law degree seemed like a prudent direction to prepare her for these future roles. With the Sisters of Mercy’s encouragement, Michele was accepted into several law schools.  She chose Case Western Reserve University because of its nationally recognized health law program, intending to focus on women’s reproductive rights. During law school, it became clear that Michele possessed the skills of a dynamic trial lawyer, which complimented her commitment to Mercy’s values as an advocate for justice.

“Some may consider my path uncharacteristic based upon ill-conceived stereotypes of nuns. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Religious women are perhaps the most highly educated, dedicated and accomplished women around the globe. Single-handedly, religious women built the first educational and health systems in the United States and many other countries, a legacy which continues today,” Smolin says.

Smolin’s early legal career was rooted in service. After finishing law school, she joined the Public Defender’s Office in Pittsburgh, where her work was gritty and relentless, defending those charged with crimes who could not afford private legal representation. While the pay was modest, her membership with the Mercies enabled her to do such work without worrying about economic constraints. She considers it among her most meaningful work and perfectly aligned with her religious and professional values. Smolin became a familiar face in courtrooms and on the streets of Pittsburgh, tirelessly advocating for her clients while becoming a fixture in the city’s legal and civic circles. She had close and collegial relationships with numerous police officers, firefighters, judges and district attorneys. She built a reputation as a formidable trial lawyer who brought compassion and tenacity to every case. For fourteen years, she lived the life she had envisioned in the convent as a musician and a lawyer: serving the poor, sick and uneducated, endeavoring to bring mercy and justice to those who needed it most.

Building a department

Decades later, Smolin channels that same drive and dedication in very different settings. After leaving the convent, she joined a large law firm, married, and won several significant cases. In what she considers an epic week, she delivered her son and was elected shareholder two days later.

Now, as the general counsel for Locus Fermentation Solutions, headquartered in Solon, Ohio, she leads a “lean and mighty” legal and regulatory team supported by an excellent group of outside counsel. She was the company’s first in-house counsel, tasked with building its legal and regulatory framework from the ground up. For Smolin, stepping into this role wasn’t unfamiliar—this is the second time she has been the sole legal architect for an entrepreneurial company. Her approach is methodical, grounded in her years of experience as a trial lawyer and business partner, as well as her commitment to collaboration and trust-building.

Smolin’s first step at Locus was to assess the company’s legal matters. She doesn’t see her role as merely identifying and mitigating risks. Instead, she views herself as a business partner who enables growth and success without becoming a “department of no.” Building relationships with internal stakeholders is a cornerstone of her strategy. She meets with team members across the company to understand their challenges and offers to take legal matters off their plates so they can focus on their core business responsibilities.

“This trust-building is crucial, especially in an organization that hadn’t previously had a legal department,” Smolin explains.

One of Smolin’s priorities has been creating efficient and empowering internal processes. For example, she has focused on developing and using Locus’s legal documents rather than relying on vendor terms or third-party agreements. This shift streamlines operations and helps internal teams navigate challenges with greater confidence. However, Smolin is careful not to overwhelm her colleagues with bureaucratic changes. She balances the need for structure with maintaining trust and collaboration.

“My ultimate goal is to create processes that enable the business to succeed while ensuring compliance and minimizing risks,” Smolin says.

At Locus, intellectual property is a vital focus. The company is heavily invested in research and development, with a robust scientific team driving innovation. While Smolin is not an IP lawyer, she works closely with the company’s IP counsel to manage its patent portfolio and protect trade secrets. She has developed a rigorous process for capturing and documenting ideas from the moment they are conceived, ensuring they are safeguarded and characterized adequately as trade secrets. Smolin marvels at the ingenuity of Locus’s scientists, who transform their advanced knowledge into practical products and processes. Her role is to provide the legal framework for these innovations to thrive in the marketplace.

A career of service

Smolin’s background as a trial lawyer has given her the adaptability and strategic thinking needed to navigate complex legal landscapes. During her 17 years in the courtroom, she honed the ability to quickly immerse herself in unfamiliar concepts—a skill that serves her well in the diverse challenges she faces at Locus. Whether negotiating contracts, managing regulatory compliance, or overseeing the company’s carbon sequestration program, she brings a broad perspective and deep experience to every task.

One of Smolin’s most significant challenges is overcoming the perception that legal processes impede business operations. She acknowledges the impatience that can arise when employees feel that doing things “the right way” slows progress. To counter this, she emphasizes the importance of collaboration and clear communication. She assures her colleagues that her goal is to find mutually beneficial solutions, not to create roadblocks. Smolin’s ability to speak the language of lawyers and business professionals allows her to facilitate smooth negotiations and foster a culture of trust and respect.

Reflecting on her journey, Smolin credits her time in the convent with shaping the person and professional she is today. Along with her parents, Mickey and Betty Smolin, the Sisters of Mercy imbued her with the value of intellectual life, service and community, instilling a sense of purpose that has guided her throughout her career. Whether advocating for an indigent defendant in a courtroom or building a legal department from scratch, Smolin approaches her work with the same unwavering commitment to justice and compassion.

At Locus, she has found a role that allows her to blend her legal expertise with her passion for innovation and collaboration. As she continues to build the company’s legal and regulatory framework, she remains focused on enabling success—not just for the business but for the people and communities it serves. Smolin’s journey from the keyboard, convent and courtroom to corporate boardroom is a testament to the power of purpose and the enduring impact of a life dedicated to service.

“I have had a fortunate life surrounded by amazing family, friends, community members and colleagues. My good fortune was and remains possible because of the extraordinary people of integrity in my life who have always led the way. Following their examples and working hard has been my blueprint for living a purpose-filled and worthy life,” Smolin says.