Michael is a trial and appellate lawyer who brings deep analysis and creative problem-solving to his clients’ most challenging legal obstacles. He has represented clients before administrative agencies, in arbitration proceedings, and at every level of state and federal court—including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Michael grew up in Oklahoma. Before going to college, he spent five years working with an international nonprofit organization, where he led teams on international humanitarian outreach projects. He traveled to and worked in dozens of countries—including a year in Afghanistan helping Afghans start small businesses and teaching English Literature at an Afghan university.

After his time in Afghanistan, Michael moved to New York City, where he worked as a bartender while attending Columbia University. He graduated from Columbia magna cum laude with a B.A. in creative writing. Michael has an entrepreneurial spirt, so after graduation he used his bartending experience to open and manage a successful craft beer bar in Oklahoma. There, Michael experienced first-hand the challenges that small-business owners and operators face in highly regulated industries.

Michael loved running the craft beer bar, but he decided to pursue his dream of going to law school. So he left the beer business to begin his legal career at the University of Texas School of Law. At Texas Law, Michael was the editor in chief of the Texas Law Review, participated in the U.S. Supreme Court Clinic, and graduated with honors.

After law school, Michael clerked for the Honorable Don R. Willett of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He then joined the Appellate Group of Baker Botts LLP in Austin and later the Austin office of Lehotsky Keller Cohn LLP—a national litigation boutique. Michael has litigated extensively against federal, state, and municipal governments in complex constitutional and administrative-law challenges to government action. He has also represented businesses in high-stakes, bet-the-company commercial disputes and torts cases. 

Michael is licensed in Texas and is admitted to practice before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Seventh, and D.C. Circuits.

Michael is blessed to be raising two daughters and son with his loving wife in Bastrop, Texas.