Remembering Michael Mills

I distinctly remember my surprise when Michael Mills told me he had a motorcycle. Somehow, the vision of him on a Harley did not accord with what I thought I knew about this urbane, refined, thoughtful man. Then he told me that he drove a Ducati. That made a bit more sense to me. But I still marveled at the idea of Michael in leather flying down the highway. Regardless, I was pleased to be reminded that there was much more to know about Michael than first appeared on the polished surface of my kind colleague and friend.

This memory came back to me several weeks ago when Jeff Rovner called to say that Michael was seriously ill and now in hospice care. On Sunday we learned that Michael died at home of complications from leukemia. (See Jeff’s moving tribute to Michael.)

It is the gift of good memories that makes this part of the journey slightly more bearable. Because Michael was the person he was, he left us many good memories. For that I am so grateful.

I first met Michael in 2001. We were part of the founding group of law firm knowledge management professionals who gathered in New York for a monthly meeting to exchange advice and commiserations. Michael was at Davis Polk at the time and well-established as a leader in our field. He shared with me at our initial meeting the first of many pearls of wisdom that he had earned through his varied experience. That generosity continued for as long as I knew him.

After he left Davis Polk, Michael asked if he could visit me at my firm to show me his latest project. Of course, I said yes. I knew the time spent with him would be worthwhile. And it was. Michael wanted to introduce me to Neota Logic, which showed so much promise even in its early stages. Technology aside, I was so inspired by Michael’s example in setting out on a brave new venture at a point in life when others might be inclined to rest on their laurels. Not Michael. And a year or so later when he discovered that the code didn’t function how he wished and would need to be rewritten, what did he do? He rolled up his sleeves and rewrote the code himself.

I was seriously impressed.

It is a gift to have friends and colleagues who through their own excellent work raise the bar for the rest of us. People like Michael make us want to do better. Michael also helped me become better. His advice was supportive, his often deceptively mild questions were insightful. His irrepressible humor allowed me to glimpse sometimes difficult truths more easily. Above all, his example was inspiring. And through each of our interactions, the fundamentally generous and kind gentleman he was became even clearer to me.

I will remember with gratitude the gift of Michael’s time and presence.