Michael S. Athy

Associate General Counsel and Chief Investigator for the Center for Civil Rights
Phone: (215) 898-6993
mikeathy@upenn.edu

Michael S. Athy joined the Office of General Counsel in June 2026 as Associate General Counsel and Chief Investigator for the Center for Civil Rights.

Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, Mr. Athy served as a Senior Attorney in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, where he led a broad range of policy initiatives and investigations involving allegations of discrimination based on race, color, shared ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, sex, gender, and other protected characteristics.

Before his federal service, Mr. Athy represented students with disabilities as a lead litigator in administrative law proceedings and practiced as an associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.

Mr. Athy earned his undergraduate degree from Villanova University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He also served as a Fulbright Scholar in South Korea for two years.

A native Philadelphian, Mr. Athy is proud to call the city home. He is deeply grateful to his late grandmother, Nettie Mae, and his late best friend, William Peoples, whose example and guidance inspired his commitment to service, justice, and community.

Support Staff:

Patricia Putnam
Executive Assistant
Phone: (215) 746-5242
Fax: (215) 746-5222
patricia.putnam@ogc.upenn.edu

Practice Areas:

• Civil Rights
• Non-Discrimination