Biography
Michael’s clients include Advent International Corporation, Berkshire Partners, Centerbridge Partners, CVC Capital Partners, Lee Equity Partners, OMERS, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Providence Equity Partners, PSG, PSP Investments, Thomas H. Lee Partners and TruArc Partners.
Michael is recognized as a leading lawyer for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation in New York by Chambers USA, where he is described as “a practical practitioner” and “a great lawyer who is always very responsive and helpful.” He is also recommended for Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation by Legal 500 US, where he is described as a “go-to name for advising private equity funds and their portfolio companies with management compensation arrangements” with “exceptional knowledge and experience, as well as a commitment to client service.” Michael has also been recognized by Chambers Global, Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers and named among Lawdragon’s“500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers” list. Michael was the founding Chairman of the Private Investment Fund Forum and also served as a member of the Advisory Board of Private Equity Terms and Conditions – The Current State of the Market for Venture Capital, Buyout, and Mezzanine Funds, published by Asset Alternatives Inc.
For over 20 years, Michael taught Private Investment Funds at Columbia Law School as a Lecturer in Law and also taught Private Equity and Venture Capital Investing. He has also lectured on management equity arrangements in private equity at Stanford Law School and on private equity funds at Harvard Business School.
Michael also has been active in pro bono matters and community service and has served as Chairman of the Firm’s Pro Bono Committee. Currently, he serves as pro bono general counsel and a member of the Board of Directors of Good+ Foundation, a leading national nonprofit that works to dismantle multi-generational poverty by pairing tangible goods with innovative services for low-income fathers, mothers and caregivers, creating an upward trajectory for the whole family. He also serves as a Vice-Chair of Vibrant Emotional Health, a charitable organization that provides suicide hotline services nationally and other mental health services.