“My goal as a lawyer is to help my clients get from point “A” to point “B” in an informed and cost-effective manner.”
Mike’s law practice is wide-ranging and eclectic, including energy and real estate law, commercial transactions, business formation (including those within the field of mineral rights, titles, and leasing), banking and finance, commercial real estate development, and family law. He has significant experience in overseeing large multi-state real estate projects, including mineral title projects and commercial real estate acquisitions, and has represented energy clients in connection with due diligence, sale and acquisition transactions.
In his “spare time”, Mike is a husband, father of three and a musician; having played in various bands (professionally and otherwise) since high school. He also enjoys writing and recording jingles. Mike plays several instruments and sings – he even oversaw the praise band at his church for over 12 years, sang in the choir, and was a charter member of the Wheeling Symphony Chorus. Outside of music, Mike is also active in volunteering his time and talent to state and local charities.
Some of Mike’s more notable legal matters include:
- Represented a national energy company in its expansion of mining operations in the Appalachian region, including oversight and management of title work for more than 8,500 acres and ascertaining and resolving mineral ownership disputes;
- Developed protocols for a national energy company for review and analysis of a large multi-state due diligence project for the purchase of mineral interests;
- Coordinated a series of transactions for a regional energy company to acquire over 5,100 acres of property in the Appalachian region. Efforts included not only the analysis and preparation of title opinions and related curative work, but also assisting in negotiation of transaction;
- Represented a national company in ongoing multistate land and business transactions, including due diligence, contract negotiation and drafting, project oversight, and dispute resolution;
- Obtained state based tax incremental financing (TIF) for various projects, including multi-million dollar property tax TIF for infrastructure improvements necessary for a redevelopment project. That redevelopment project resulted in the employment of more than 170 area residents;
- Provided full range of services for a large regional redevelopment project including anchor tenant leasing, land sales, construction agreements, dispute resolution and related litigation;
- Served as counsel for surviving bank holding company in the first interstate bank merger in West Virginia;
- Served as counsel for the formation of de novo West Virginia state bank and its holding company; and,
- Obtained a Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia reversal and remand based on improper indictment.
Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a partner at a law firm in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he served as the leader for the land and natural resource development practice group.
Mike was appointed by Gov. Tomblin as Commissioner for The State’s Commission for National and Community Service (Volunteer West Virginia) and served as its chairman. Volunteer West Virginia oversees all West Virginia funding from the National Corporation for Community Service, as well as state based funding, for numerous state related projects as well as the training of AmeriCorps volunteers. Mike also serves as a commissioner for the Wheeling Housing Authority and is a member and two-time former president of The Wheeling Lion’s Club.
Mike’s honors include the receipt of the Kaufman Award presented by the West Virginia State Bar for pro bono legal service; the 2000 Firestone 100 Who Serve Award; the Lions Club International Foundation’s Melvin Jones Fellowship; and, the West Virginia Lions Sight Conservation Foundation’s Leonard Jarrett Award.
