Michael concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate and business law, mergers and acquisitions, taxation and estate and succession planning.

Overview

Managing partner of the St. Louis office and member of the firm's Board of Directors, Michael regularly advises clients on all aspects of general corporate law, including structuring business organizations and business transactions in the most tax advantaged and commercially practical manner, corporate organization and governance, and ongoing operational and contractual matters. With regard to mergers and acquisitions, Michael has negotiated transactions which deal with all aspects of stock purchases, mergers, asset acquisitions, joint ventures, buyouts, recapitalizations, spin-offs and reorganizations. Michael’s taxation practice includes individual, corporate and business tax planning and consultation. In conjunction with his taxation practice, Michael’s estate planning practice similarly involves business succession planning, tax planning, post-mortem tax planning and the preparation of estate planning documents.

Experience

Corporate and Business Law

Often acting as general counsel, Michael represents clients on a broad spectrum of general business and corporate matters from formation to dissolution including business contracts, shareholder relations and day-to-day operational and contractual issues. Representation includes closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, start-up ventures, mid-market companies and national companies in a wide range of industries.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Significant experience in mergers, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, spin-offs, reorganizations, consolidation of subsidiaries, joint ventures and strategic alliances for clients in a variety of industries. Representation further includes assisting clients in private placement and fundraising activities.

Tax

In addition to individual, corporate and business tax planning, representation includes public charities and private foundations from inception through termination, including securing necessary IRS approvals to obtain tax-exempt status.

Along these lines, Michael represents several public charities as general outside counsel. In doing so, his work has involved restructuring organizational documents to reflect best practices and protect the mission of the organization against potential future activist board members, advising with respect to ongoing contractual and corporate governance matters, and coordinating D&O insurance with an organization’s governance documents to maximize protection of officers and directors.

Business Succession Planning

Michael has worked with numerous closely held and family-owned businesses in connection with succession planning as they transition ownership to key management personnel and/or family members. 

News & Insights

Speaking Engagements

Michael is a frequent speaker on tax, estate planning and corporate related topics. Presentations have included:

  • Year End Tax Planning
  • Effective Strategies Involving Letters of Intent
  • Estate and Gift Tax Planning
  • Usefulness of Living Wills for Health Care
  • Eligibility for Medicaid Assisted Coverage for Long Term Nursing Home Costs
  • Transfer of Asset Rules Under Medicaid 

Recognitions

Recognitions

2023 Top 100 St. Louisans You Need to Know to Succeed In Business by St. Louis Small Business Monthly

Top 5 Best M&A Providers by St. Louis Small Business Monthly

Professional & Civic Activities

Professional & Civic Activities

Westwood Country Club, Board of Directors

Jewish Family and Children's Service, Board of Directors

Sherwood Forest Camp, Board of Directors and Secretary

Ladue Education Foundation, Board of Directors

Habitat for Humanity

Little League baseball coach, 2000-2010

American Bar Association

  • Business Law Section
  • Taxation Section

The Missouri Bar

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

St. Louis County Bar Association

Admissions

  • Missouri, 1994
  • U.S. Tax Court

Education

Washington University, LL.M., Taxation, 1995

St. Louis University, J.D., cum laude, 1994

  • American Jurisprudence Award

University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 1991

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