About Michael
Michael is Counsel to the firm’s litigation practice group where he focuses on civil litigation and jury trials. He is Chair of the Government Investigations and Enforcement practice group. Michael has extensive jury and non-jury trial experience representing corporate and governmental clients. In addition, he has represented national and regional broker-dealer firms in TRO and preliminary injunction proceedings in state and federal courts involving covenants not-to-compete and trade secret litigation.
In 2003, he was appointed by a federal judge and state court judge as Chair of the federal and state court Steering Committees responsible for coordinating all pre-trial proceedings in over 150 consolidated cases involving allegations of security fraud against an NYSE listed company. These consolidated cases involved four major types of actions: 1) securities fraud; 2) derivative claims; 3) ERISA claims by the employees of the corporation; and, 4) D & O Insurance coverage claims.
Michael is a former Alabama State Bar Examiner (Pleading & Practice, 1998-2002), and a current member of the State Bar’s Character and Fitness Committee. In addition, he currently serves as Chairman of the Alabama Ethics Commission. His term on the Ethics Commission expires on August 31, 2010.
Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he was a member of the Cumberland Law Review. Prior to joining the legal department at BellSouth Corporation (now known as AT&T), Michael clerked for the Honorable U.W. Clemon, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
Michael is a Martindale-Hubbell featured AV Peer Review Rated Lawyer.
What is your favorite thing about the law?
The law provides the privilege and opportunity to engage in problem solving for a host of different clients, including individuals, businesses, corporations, or non-profit entities, for the betterment of society and for the protection of the rights, privileges and freedoms that we enjoy in the United States.
What community projects are you involved in?
I serve as Trustee to The J. Craig and Page T. Smith Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to Alabama High School Seniors who are the first in their respective families to attend college. I serve as a member of the Board of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. I am Chairman of the Alabama State Ethics Commission, and the former Chairman of the Board of Holy Family Catholic High School. I was recently appointed to the Alabama Ballet Board.
What was your first job?
My first job was sacking groceries at one of the A&P ( Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company) grocery stores.
What are your hobbies?
Sporting Clays, Skeet Shooting, Quail Hunting, Deep Sea Fishing, Alabama Football, NY Mets Baseball.
What advice would you give to a young student in law school?
Be patient—that’s why they call it the practice of law. We are always learning and practicing.
How do you define a “good day?”
Bringing joy, a smile or laughter to another person.
How do you spend your weekend?
A little work, time with friends and family, and spiritual nourishment.