10 Altria legal leaders
Geoffrey Michael, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Altria Client Services LLC, is one of ten Altria legal leaders listed here, alongside people who hold associate general counsel and assistant general counsel roles at the company. A reader can learn how legal leaders work at Altria from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Blake Nickles
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · Altria
Blake Nickles has been Assistant General Counsel at Altria in the Greenville, South Carolina area since November 2025 and was Senior Counsel there (2023–2025), and the profile describes IP counsel work in portfolio management, prosecution, opinions and transactions. Blake Nickles was Senior Patent Counsel at Hubbell Incorporated (2016–2020).
Geoffrey Michael
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel · Altria Client Services LLC
Geoffrey Michael has been Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Altria Client Services LLC since March 2024. Geoffrey Michael was a Partner at Arnold & Porter (2008–2024) and a Law Clerk to Hon. Samuel A. Alito, Jr. at the Supreme Court of the U.S. (2007–2008) and at the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (2000–2001).
Ian Samuel
LinkedInExperience: Senior Assistant General Counsel · Altria
Ian Samuel has been Senior Assistant General Counsel at Altria since January 2024, and the profile says Ian Samuel provides guidance and support for the company's litigation and external affairs, including regulatory and government affairs. Ian Samuel was Senior Director & Associate General Counsel at NJOY (2020–2023).
Kamran Khan
LinkedInExperience: Vice President and Associate General Counsel · Altria
Kamran Khan has been Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Altria in the Greater Richmond Region since October 2022. Kamran Khan was Senior Assistant General Counsel (2014–2022), Assistant General Counsel (2010–2014) and Senior Counsel (2008–2010) at Altria, and the profile describes business counseling and litigation management experience.
Mary Bigelow
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel · Altria
Mary Bigelow has been Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel at Altria in the Richmond, Virginia area since January 2026, and the profile headline gives the title as Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Altria Group, Inc. The listing also shows a Sr. Assistant General Counsel role at Altria Client Services.
Meghan Garrant
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · Altria
Meghan Garrant has been Assistant General Counsel at Altria in the Greater Richmond Region since September 2025 and was Senior Counsel there (2023–2025). Meghan Garrant was Senior Corporate Counsel, Corporate Services (2023) and Corporate Counsel, Corporate Services (2020–2023) at CarMax, and an Associate at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP (2017–2020).
Melanie Holloway
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director, Senior Assistant General Counsel · Altria
Melanie Holloway has been Managing Director, Senior Assistant General Counsel at Altria in the Richmond, Virginia area since May 2024 and was Assistant General Counsel there (2020–2024). The profile lists specialties in tobacco marketing regulations, privacy, cybersecurity, AI, advertising, tech transactions, IP and commercial contracts.
Michelle Christian
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director, Sr. Asst. General Counsel · Altria
Michelle Christian has been Sr. Director, Sr. Asst. General Counsel at Altria in the Richmond, Virginia area since March 2023 and held an Assistant General Counsel role there (2018–2023). Michelle Christian was Senior Counsel at Altria (2014–2018) and an Associate at McGuireWoods LLP (2006–2014).
Sarah O'Rourke
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · Altria
Sarah O'Rourke has been Assistant General Counsel at Altria in the Greater Tampa Bay Area since September 2025 and was Senior Counsel there (2023–2025). The profile says Sarah O'Rourke's practice focuses on defending manufacturers in complex litigation. Sarah O'Rourke was an Attorney at Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. (2017–2023).
Teresa Downs
LinkedInExperience: Vice President and Associate General Counsel · Altria
Teresa Downs has been Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Altria in the Richmond, Virginia area since February 2019. The profile describes Teresa Downs as a business lawyer with experience in sales, marketing and M&A in the tobacco industry and as a strategic thinking partner with the business.
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Match the person's practice area, such as litigation, intellectual property, marketing and privacy law, corporate governance or commercial work, to the decision you face. Weigh how recently each person took on the role and how close their work sits to your question.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you decide which legal matters your team handled in-house and which went to outside counsel?
- 02What did you learn about advising business partners in a heavily regulated industry in your role?
- 03What would you do differently if you were setting up your legal team again?
Reaching Altria legal leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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