Biography

Mike practices in the areas of bankruptcy, loan workouts and creditors' rights and serves as a member of the firm's Executive Committee and as Chair of the Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar and is on the Bench Bar Conference Committee for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio. Mike was chosen by the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals to be one of the lawyers in the Southern District of Ohio to serve on the last two Merit Selection Panels who review candidates for the position of bankruptcy judge. Prior to joining Graydon Head, Mike was in private practice concentrating in the areas of bankruptcy, creditors' rights and commercial litigation, with a focus on lender representation.  Mike as been named one of The Best Lawyers in America since 2007 and an Ohio Super Lawyer since 2005 for his work in Banking Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law.  Based on the grading and comments of his peers, Mike is recognized with an AV Rating, the highest rating given to lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell.

Mike has been very active in the Cincinnati Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee and is a past chair. Mike offers outstanding client service. He refers to his clients as “great” and relishes his role as counselor. He has said, “I also enjoy working with other talented lawyers, both colleagues and opposing counsel.” His client service philosophy includes providing prompt, efficient service and continually updating clients on the progress of matters. He has said, “If a client ever had to ask me for the status of a matter, I would think I have failed since I have not kept them up-to-date.”

Mike and his wife have been married 25 years and have three teenage daughters, in whose lives Mike is very involved. He attends all of their games and performances and is active in their high school, Ursuline Academy. He has also been very active in his parish, St. Mary, and has served in many roles including coach, parish lector and the worship commission. Mike is also passionate about college basketball and card playing – he’s been part of a card-playing group that has met regularly for 28 years.

Law School

J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law, 1980
Order of The Barrister

Education

B.A., cum laude, History, University of Kentucky, 1976

Bar Admissions

State of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio
Commonwealth of Kentucky
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky
U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Indiana
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Affiliations

American Bankruptcy Institute
American Bankruptcy Law Forum
Bench Bar Conference Committee
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Executive Committee
Cincinnati Bar Association, Bankruptcy (Past Chair) and Real Estate Committees
Kentucky Bar Association
Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Judicial Council
Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar, Executive Committee Member
Northern Kentucky Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
Tri-State Association for Corporate Renewal, Board Member