Michael provides strategic counsel and communications support to companies across industries in a broad range of special situations and high-profile events, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and bankruptcies, crisis and litigation management, shareholder activism defense and executive leadership changes. He also assists clients with ongoing investor relations, corporate communications strategies and media engagement.

Restructuring, Bankruptcy & Liability Management

Michael regularly advises companies in out-of-court financial restructurings and in-court reorganizations. His notable Chapter 11 matters include Akumin, At Home, Avaya, CareerBuilder + Monster, Casa Systems, ConvergeOne, Cyxtera, Express, Forma Brands, Instant Brands, JOANN, LTL Management, Restoration Forest, Rite Aid, SAS and Thrasio.

M&A/Transactions

Michael’s notable transactions include Aptiv in the separation of its Electrical Distribution Systems Business, Catalent in its sale to Novo Holdings, Endeavor Energy Resources in its sale to Diamondback Energy, Fortive in its separation of Ralliant, Hawaiian Airlines in its sale to Alaska Airlines, Pretium Partners in its acquisition of Anchor Loans, Prologis in its unsolicited takeover approach and subsequent acquisition of Duke Realty and Terminix in its sale to Rentokil.

Shareholder Activism Defense

Michael has counseled several companies in their interactions with a wide range of activist investors, including Carl Icahn, Starboard, JANA, Engine Capital and DOMA Capital.

Crisis Communications

Michael has worked with clients to prepare and respond to a wide range of situations, including cyber-attacks, short attack campaigns, federal investigations, regulatory inquiries, mass torts, reputational litigation, facility disasters, facility closures and workforce reductions, management succession and unplanned leadership changes.

Investor Relations

Michael has experience helping clients develop and enhance ongoing investor and public relations programs, including supporting with message development, corporate positioning, quarterly earnings preparation, investor conferences, media engagement and employee communications practices.

Before joining Joele Frank in 2021, Michael worked at a New York-based law firm where he helped to build the firm’s communications, marketing and business development program. Michael received a BS in marketing and business administration from the University of Arizona.