Temple Law School has appointed Michael Donnella as the Director of the Center for Compliance and Ethics and a Practice Professor of Law. Donnella succeeds Jon Smollen, who will join the Center’s Advisory Board and continue to teach as an adjunct professor.

Prior to joining Temple Law, Donnella served as the Compliance Officer for Murphy Oil Corporation, an international oil and gas exploration company where he established the company’s global compliance and ethics program. He previously served as Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, and Assistant General Counsel for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and as chief counsel for a number of Wyeth’s divisions. Prior to Wyeth, Donnella was a senior lawyer for AT&T. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the University of Chicago Law School. 

“Michael brings significant and global expertise from multiple industries which will be critical to the future growth of the Center,” said Smollen. “I’m very excited to work with him as a member of the Advisory Board and to also play a role in the future of the Center.” Donnella was equally enthusiastic. “The vision for the Center as a place where the future of the discipline would be shaped through education, training, and dialogue between industry, academics, and government is innovative and compelling,” he said. “I’m honored by the opportunity to lead the Center, partner with the Advisory Board, and be part of the Temple Law community.”

The Center is also pleased to welcome Denise Sanchez, Marsh USA’s Chief Compliance Officer and Regulatory Counsel, to the Advisory Board and to announce the appointment of Tamsin Fast, Aramark’s Chief Compliance Officer, as Vice Chair. The Advisory Board plays a critical role in fulfilling the Center’s mission to improve the understanding and practice of compliance and ethics across disciplines, industries, and sectors through educational, public-private sector dialogues, and research. Advisory Board members include compliance and ethics leaders from Amicus Therapeutics, Aramark, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Comcast, Dun & Bradstreet, EY, Holland & Knight, Lincoln Financial, Tabula Rasa Healthcare, Temple University Health System, Temple University, and Troutman Pepper.   

Temple Law Dean Gregory Mandel expressed enthusiasm for Donnella’s appointment and the ongoing mission of the Center. “Compliance and ethics is a growing and vital field with abundant opportunities for lawyers to lead on matters of great social significance,” he said. “I’m deeply proud that the Center is part of our community and eager to see where Michael will lead it next.”