Mike helps clients structure and close complex deals. His experience includes more than $15 billion in M&A, financing, real estate, and commercial transactions. He also uses his experience as a negotiator to resolve difficult disputes and regulatory matters. During his tenure in the Hogan administration, Mike settled a multi-year licensing dispute with the owner of Maryland’s largest hydroelectric facility, oversaw the financial restructuring of the Purple Line light rail P3 project, and negotiated a solution to bring Baltimore City's failing wastewater treatment plants back into compliance.
Mike is known for his ability to solve unusually challenging and unprecedented problems. While serving as Governor Hogan's chief legal counsel, he directed all legal aspects of the governor's response to the COVID-19 pandemic—a response that was upheld in court and widely lauded as one of the most effective and balanced in the nation.
Prior to serving in government, Mike was the general counsel of Tradepoint Atlantic, a 3,500-acre multimodal logistics hub at the site of the former Bethlehem Steel mill, one of the largest brownfields in the country. He led the company's effort to negotiate agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Maryland Department of the Environment, creating a framework for the cleanup and redevelopment of the property. He was responsible for all legal, government, and regulatory affairs for the company's marine terminal, short line railroad, and real estate businesses. Mike joined Tradepoint after serving as general counsel for its parent company, Redwood Capital Investments.
Mike began his legal career in Venable's Corporate Finance and Securities Practice Group, representing clients in mergers and acquisitions, capital-raising transactions, joint ventures, and other complex transactions. During his first tenure at Venable, he represented, among other significant matters, the U.S. Department of the Treasury in the development of several Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) programs, including the $4 billion Small Business Lending Fund and $5 billion Auto Supplier Support Program.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mike was a software developer.