Practice Areas
Business Litigation
Construction
Estate and Trust Administration/Dispute Resolution
Health Care
Representative Work
Summary of Representative Work
Professional Experience
Michael has over twenty years of experience litigating complex business disputes, construction claims, creditor's rights, estate and trust disputes, and warranty claims. Michael's bottom line and client-centric approach leads to early and cost effective resolution of disputes whether through direct negotiation, mediation or arbitration. He represents businesses and individuals in a wide range of industries and issues, including the following:
• Construction
• Equipment Financing and Leases
• Estates and Trusts Disputes
• Fiduciary Liability
• Food Manufacturing
• Limited Liability Company and Partnership Disputes
• Purchase and Sale of Businesses and Assets
• Viatical Investments
• Wholesale Distributing
Michael is a native of Oregon and chairs the Firm's Litigation Practice Group. He was a member of the firm's management committee for six years and past chair of the Business Litigation and Construction practice areas. Michael has spoken extensively on construction law and business litigation topics.
Michael is admitted to practice law in Oregon and Idaho.
Professional Organizations
American Bar Association
Construction Forum
Litigation Section
Oregon State Bar
Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
Business Litigation Section
Construction Law Section
Debtor/Creditor Section
Litigation Section
Multnomah County Bar Association
Education
B.S., cum laude, Western Oregon State College
J.D., Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College
Civic Organizations
Beaverton School Board, School Safety Committee
Greenway Local School Committee
Greenway Neighborhood Association
Lewis & Clark College Alumni Association
The Scleroderma Foundation, Oregon Chapter
West Hills Junior Soccer Club
Publications
Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education
Civil Litigation Manual
"Collection of Judgments" (1993, 1995 and 1999)
"Provisional Process" (1993, 1995 and 1999)
"Bonds and Undertakings" (1993, 1995, 1999 and 2004)
Foreclosing Security Interests
"Construction Liens" (1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004)
Multnomah Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
"Provisional Process"
"Writs of Garnishment"
Article 9 Foreclosure Sales
Admitted to Practice
Idaho State Bar
Oregon State Bar
U.S. District Court, Oregon
Speaking Engagements
Past Speaking Engagements
2008 Creditors Rights Seminar: Weathering the Economic Storm: Sussman Shank LLP
Construction Seminar - Protecting Your Right To Payment: Contract Issues, Construction Liens, and Construction Bond Claims: National Association of Credit Managers
Oregon and Washington Construction Lien and Bond Law: NACM Oregon (2001-present)
Oregon Construction Law Seminar: Lorman Education Services (2002)
OSCPA Construction Industry Conference: OSCPA Continuing Professional Education and Associated General Contractors (2004-2005)
Pacific Northwest Credit Conference: NACM Oregon (2003)
Premier Multi-State Construction Lien and Bond Seminar: NACM Arizona (2002-2004)
Sussman Shank Annual Employment Law Seminar: Sussman Shank LLP (2002-2005)
Writing the Employee Handbook in Oregon: Lorman Education Services (2002)
