Focus Areas
Illustrative examples of Michael’s experience include:
- Representation of sellers in connection with the multimillion-dollar sale of intellectual property licensing company.
 - Representation of multi-jurisdictional recreation authority as co-disclosure counsel in connection with the issuance of taxable revenue refunding and improvement bonds for a downtown sports arena.
 - Representation of development authority as co-disclosure counsel in connection with the issuance of bonds to provide assistance to the homeless.
 - Representation of technology company as recipient of private equity investment in Series A preferred stock and warrants, and providing ongoing representation of operating company.
 - Representation of major municipality as co-disclosure counsel in connection with the issuance of tax allocation refunding bonds for downtown residential, retail and entertainment district.
 - Representation of local municipality in connection with responding to SEC subpoena.
 - Representation of underwriters in connection with approximately $750 million bond offering for major airport.
 - Representation of Placement Agent in commercial paper program for major airport.
 - Advising a technology company on a multimillion-dollar investment by a $15 billion hedge fund and providing ongoing representation of the new operating company.
 - Counseling a U.S. holding company in connection with a multimillion-dollar investment in a Honduran manufacturing concern.
 - Representation of federal agency in multimillion-dollar settlement with directors of failed bank.
 - Representing a financial services company, as well as its life insurance, broker-dealer and investment advisory subsidiaries, in corporate, regulatory and litigation matters.
 - Representation of broker-dealer in connection with FINRA examination.
 - Representing the Atlanta Botanical Garden in connection with litigation to stop the construction of a new parking deck.
 - Counseling the city of Atlanta in connection with the development and financing of Atlantic Station.
 - Representing Central Atlanta Progress in connection with the creation of the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (Downtown Ambassador Force).
 - Advising a pharmacy benefits management company in connection with third-party biller reimbursement issues.
 - Representing Turner Broadcasting System and the Atlanta Hawks in connection with the development and financing of Phillips Arena.
 - Litigation (including oral arguments) before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in the Georgia Supreme Court, and numerous courts across the country.
 
- “Paycheck Protection Program: Borrowers Must Plan Now to Maximize Loan Forgiveness,” Thompson Hine Business Litigation Update, April 2020
 - “CARES Act: Paycheck Protection Program – Forgivable Loans for Small Businesses,” Thompson Hine COVID-19 Update, March 2020
 - “Directors: Do Your Homework, Even if You Get it Wrong,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, Winter 2014
 - “A Review of the Business Judgment Rule,” NBA Magazine, 1990
 - “Regulatory Evolution of Limited Offerings in Georgia,” Georgia State Bar Journal, 1984
 
- Limited Liability Companies – Governance Issues and Recent Developments, National Bar Association Convention, 2012
 
- Inducted into the Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame, 2018
 - AV® Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
 - Listed in the 2018 List of Georgia’s Most Influential Politically-Connected Attorneys by James Magazine, 2018
 - Listed in Legal 500 in Merger and Acquisitions, 2014
 - Selected for inclusion in Georgia’s Top Rated Lawyers (2012, 2013, 2014)
 - Selected as one of Georgia’s most powerful and influential attorneys by Women Looking Ahead Magazine (2017)
 
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
 - Atlanta Bar Association
 - Gate City Bar Association
 - National Bar Association
 - National Association of Bond Lawyers
 
Professional Activities
- Research Atlanta, board member (1997-2000)
 - Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Inc., board of directors (1994-1999)
 - Metropolitan YMCA, board member (1996-1998)
 - University of Georgia Foundation, trustee (1995-1998)
 - Vanderbilt Law School Alumni Board (1993-1996)
 
Education
- Vanderbilt University School of Law, J.D.
 - University of Evansville, B.S.
 
Bar Admissions
- Georgia
 - Tennessee
 
- Paycheck Protection Program: Borrowers Must Plan Now to Maximize Loan Forgiveness, 
Business Litigation Update
, April 24, 2020 - CARES Act: Paycheck Protection Program – Forgivable Loans for Small Businesses, 
COVID-19 Update
, March 27, 2020 

