Mike has over 50 years of experience representing closely-held businesses, many of which are second and third generation family businesses. He has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America from 1989 to the present; has been awarded an AV rating in Martindale; and has been listed in Ohio Super Lawyers. He is knowledgeable about corporate and individual income taxation and estate taxation and has represented both corporations and individuals before the Internal Revenue Service.

Mike is also knowledgeable with respect to public and private financing for businesses, M&A transactions (taxable and tax-free). He has extensive experience in creative succession planning, compensation planning, corporate governance, and general business planning and estate planning.

 

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

Ohio 1976
North Carolina 1971
U.S. Tax Court 1972
U.S. District Court (S.D. and N.D. of Ohio)

 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

American Bar Association: Tax Section –Corporate Tax Committee; Closely Held Businesses Committee; Real Property and Probate Section

Ohio State Bar Association

Columbus Bar Association – Tax Committee, Past Chairman 1986; Investment Advisory Committee 1996-present (Chairman 1997-2004); Ethics Committee 1995-1998

Columbus Tax Conference Planning Committee, Chairman 1987

Columbus Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Finance Committee 1996-1999; Vice-President 1998-1999; President 1999-2000; Investment Advisory Committee 2001-present

Fellow of American Bar Association Foundation

IRS Regional Counsel Bar Advisory Group (1988-1991)

 

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, Board of Trustees 2002-2020; Executive Committee 2006-2018; Chairman of the Board of Directors (2010-2012); Emeritus Board 2020-present

Crime Stoppers, Board of Trustees 1980-2010

Children’s Hospital Development Board, Lifetime Member

Hannah Neil Center for Children, Board of Trustees Secretary 1996; Vice-President 1997; Finance Committee Chairman 1992-1995; Emeritus Board 2000-present

The Athletic Club of Columbus, Finance Committee 1997-2004; House Committee (2006-2017)

Columbus Kiwanis Foundation, Trustee 1998-2010; Treasurer 1999-2001; Vice-Chairman 2001-2010

 

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Frequent speaker on tax, ethics and family business related topics

 

HONORS

Martindale-Hubbell Highest Rating

The Best Lawyers in America, 1989-present

 

EDUCATION

B.S., Ohio University, 1968 with honors

J.D., University of North Carolina Law School, 1971 with honors, North Carolina Law Review 1970-1971