Suffolk Law alumnus Michael Rueda has long prized the ability to communicate—with a broad range of people in a wide variety of places and contexts. He was raised bilingually by parents from Ecuador and Spain in Stamford, CT, a multicultural community where he still resides today.

At the University of Connecticut, where Michael earned his undergraduate degree in management, sports were a passion. He played on the university’s national champion Division I soccer team in 2000. Post-graduation, he coached soccer for a couple of years while considering the track of a pro athlete. Ultimately, he set his sights on the law, hoping to integrate his zeal for sports. A Suffolk alumnus, Alex Martinez, JD '93, whom Michael had approached for a paralegal job, introduced him to Suffolk Law and encouraged him to apply.

Michael cherishes the time he spent at Suffolk and in Boston as he pursued his law degree. Among his courses was a housing clinic led by Professor Emeritus Stephen J. Callahan, JD ’75. Michael was impressed by how Professor Callahan focused on serving clients who had clearly defined, pressing needs—which demonstrated “the difference between a career and a job.” Michael was also inspired by the evening program students and how they juggled their day jobs with their dedication to earning a law degree. Beyond his studies, Michael served on the staff of Suffolk’s Transnational Law Review.

For two summers during law school, Michael worked at the firm of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP in New York City. Subsequently, the firm hired him as a Corporate Associate where, from 2006 to 2015, he applied his skills to public equity and debt financing, corporate governance work, and commercial contracting.

Since 2015, Michael has practiced law at the Withers firm, which attracted him due to its client focus and global reach. He counsels professional athletes, entertainers, influencers, and artists on matters such as brand management, licensing, and endorsements. Among Withers’ elite clients were investors who bought the Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise from Michael Jordan’s group. They also represented Novak Djokovic, a top-ranked Serbian tennis player, and helped negotiate the contract of the coach for the high-flying Liverpool F.C. (UK) soccer team. Right after New Year 2026, Michael took his family to Liverpool to see his favorite team in action.

Many of Withers’ clients are international, with a wide range of legal and financial sophistication. Being raised by parents with culturally diverse backgrounds was a major advantage for Michael, helping him to navigate complex issues with his clients.

Latino heritage is at the core of Michael’s identity. As a youth, he visited his mother’s family in Spain and spent four summers in Ecuador with his father’s family. And now he’s passing along his bicultural heritage. He’s visited Ecuador with his children, ages six and eight, and teaches them Spanish. Michael also carries on his family legacy in sports; his own father coached Michael’s soccer team and now Michael coaches his sons’ team.

Michael’s rich background—culturally, educationally, athletically—allowed him to realize that he had “a lot of runway.” Over time, he has cultivated a broad network of culturally diverse professionals and notes, “I can sit in many different rooms, talk with all kinds of people.” After Michael returned from a trip to Brazil, a friend aptly remarked, “You could live anywhere and fit in everywhere.”

Reflecting on his career path, Michael emphasizes that people need to take ownership of their career development. Everyone has a network: “don’t be afraid to reach out to people for advice.” And for people of multicultural heritage, he remarks that “we should remember who we are. Our unique voices will come out naturally.”