Michael Castle Miller
CEO
Michael is a governance consultant who has served as an advisor to governments, international organizations, civil society, and private investors in over 32 countries. He specializes in the legal and public policy frameworks for special jurisdictions -- such as special economic zones and semi-autonomous areas -- that improve institutional governance for developing countries. He has drafted laws and regulations, helped create administrative agencies, design policy reforms, and structure public-private partnerships. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Politas, which provides innovative legal and policy solutions to help cities and special jurisdictions achieve inclusive growth.
Michael's professional experience ranges from legal and policy consulting to real estate negotiation, and from organizational management to community engagement. Michael was the Managing Director of Locus Economica, a boutique SEZ consulting firm advising on numerous World Bank, UNIDO, and direct-government projects. Michael also served as a consultant with the World Bank, working on urban law and development issues. Before that, he worked for the Public International Law and Policy Group.
Michael earned a J.D., summa cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law and an M.A. in International Politics from American University, School of International Service. His work has been featured in National Geographic, fDi Magazine, der Standard, Christian Science Monitor, and Weltwoche. His publications in legal journals cover the political economy of international trade and investment, comparative local government, “Charter Cities,” sustainable development zones, refugee cities, U.S. immigration law, and expropriation jurisprudence. He has given talks and participated in panel discussions on special jurisdictions at several conferences internationally.
Michael is also an active member of the New York State Bar Association and licensed to practice law in New York.
Email: michael(at)politasconsulting(dot)com.
Areas of Expertise: special economic zones, economic development, public international law, public-private partnerships, administrative law, international investment, blockchain and digital assets, AI & innovation, comparative constitutional law, international tax, investor-state arbitration, decentralization and local government, international trade, project finance, space law, urban planning and land use regulation, immigration and asylum, and post-conflict transition.
Organizations Assisted: World Bank; Banobras (Gov’t of Mexico); Gov’t of Saudi Arabia; Gov’t of Vanuatu; United Nations Industrial Development Organization; US Aid; Chancellor of Austria; UN Habitat; Rwanda Development Board; United States Courts; IDOM; BuroHappold; numerous private-sector investors, zone developers, and startups
Countries Assisted: Latin America & Caribbean – Mexico, Chile, Peru, The Bahamas, Honduras; Middle East / North Africa – Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Yemen; Sub-Saharan Africa – Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, South Sudan, Senegal, Lesotho; South Asia – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh; Europe – Georgia, Serbia / Kosovo; South Pacific — Vanuatu
Previous / Other Positions: Executive Director, Politas Labs and Refugee Cities; Managing Director, Locus Economica; Consultant, World Bank; Research Associate, Public International Law and Policy Group
Education: J.D., American University, Washington College of Law (JD, summa cum laude); MA, American University, School of International Service (international politics / international development)
Qualifications: Admitted to the New York Bar (Attorney)
Publications: 8 publications in peer-reviewed legal journals