Michael is focused on helping clients navigate structural changes in the energy industry.
Michael is experienced with energy infrastructure transactions and advises clients on federal and state energy laws, regulations, and policies. He represents clients in transactional and commercial matters and in proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state public service commissions, and state and federal courts. He advises clients on organized U.S. energy markets and transmission and interconnection procedures in both FERC jurisdictional independent system operators and non-jurisdictional distribution and transmission owning utilities. Michael assists clients in obtaining regulatory authorizations and approvals and in complying with regulatory requirements. He has extensive experience conducting due diligence and managing the regulatory approval process.
Supporting the development of transmission facilities, interconnection facilities, electric power generators, and battery storage assets is the core of Michael’s practice. He represents project developers, equity investors, financial institutions, marketers, and energy services providers in mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, corporate financings, restructurings, and energy outsourcing arrangements. He has experience drafting and negotiating power purchase and sale agreements, renewable energy credit sales agreements, interconnection agreements, service agreements, membership interest purchase agreements, equity capital contribution agreements, credit agreements, and other energy-related commercial and transaction documents.
Michael is recognized for his knowledge in energy regulatory law as “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.” Alongside his domestic practice, he also advises governments and industry stakeholders in developing nations on electric market and transmission planning reform. He is a member of the Clean Energy Buyer’s Association (CEBA) and has served as faculty in their training courses since 2022. Prior to entering private practice, he was an attorney at the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), where he served as lead in house counsel on several queue reform filings and the creation of HVDC interconnection procedures.
Outside of the office, Michael is a community leader, serving on the board for several charitable organizations as the board treasurer and president. Michael is also an adjunct professor at Indiana University McKinney School of Law, where he teaches a seminar on energy industry regulation. He is active in the Energy Bar Association and is the incoming Chair of the Electricity Committee.