Michael handled all facets of commercial financing and loan transactions for lenders. He drafted and negotiated loan agreements, security agreements, mortgages and related loan documentation. He also had extensive experience in commercial and agricultural workouts.

In his estate planning practice, Michael was involved in the preparation of wills, trusts and powers of attorney to meet the basic family planning needs of clients. He also used more sophisticated techniques in order to accomplish estate freezes, generation skipping, gifting and charitable transfers.

Michael received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude, in 1981 from the University of North Dakota. He received his Juris Doctor with distinction from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1984. Michael served as an extern to the Honorable Myron H. Bright, Judge, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit in 1983. He was an attorney with the firm beginning in 1984.

Michael was selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of corporate law and mergers and acquisitions and as a Band 1 lawyer in corporate and commercial law by Chambers USA. Michael was recognized by Best Lawyers® as the corporate law “Lawyer of the Year” in Fargo on numerous occasions.

Michael was licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts in North Dakota and Minnesota and was a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and the Minnesota State Bar Association. He served on and chaired boards of the North Dakota State Bar Association concerning the attorney disciplinary process. He was also extensively involved as a volunteer with many community organizations including the JP II Catholic Schools and North Dakota High School Forensics. Michael served as President of the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties and served on its Foundation Board.