My name is Michael McConnell. I was born in Mission Hospital in 1992. I grew up in Mission Viejo, attending Philip J. Reilly Elementary School, Newhart Middle School, and graduated from Capistrano Valley High School in 2011. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Science in 2014. I then returned home to Mission Viejo while attending law school at the UCI School of Law.
While I was a student at Capistrano Valley High School, I was one of the inaugural members of a club called S.A.F.E. (Stop Abuse For Everyone). Through my community service with S.A.F.E., I had the opportunity to volunteer with two of Orange County’s most prominent domestic violence victim assistance organizations—Human Options and Laura’s House
I had the pleasure of working with children who had been victims of abuse while volunteering at Human Options. I volunteered at the Laura’s House Retail Store, a thrift store where proceeds from the sales of all donations go to helping victims of domestic abuse.
During my time at the UCI School of Law, I had the opportunity to work as a student-attorney for a year-and-a-half at the UCI School of Law’s Domestic Violence Clinic. While 
working there, I had the distinct honor of serving multiple victims of domestic abuse. I was also able to coordinate an Amicus Brief submitted to the California State Supreme Court on behalf of children feeling refuge from domestic abuse abroad.
I now work as an attorney and reside in Mission Viejo. I am running for Mission Viejo City Council so that I can give back to the community where I grew up.