Michael helps clients navigate structural changes in the energy industry. He practices from Carmel, Indiana as a member of our virtual office, The Link.
Michael is experienced with energy infrastructure development and transactions, advising 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, large loads integrations, 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, large load customers, data center developers, ​​​​​​​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, energy service agreements, utility contracts, and other energy-related commercial and transaction documents.
Michael is recognized as “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” for his knowledge in energy regulatory law. Alongside his domestic practice, he has also advised 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 extensive experience advising data center developers, tenants, and power suppliers. 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 an adjunct professor at Indiana University McKinney School of Law, where he teaches a seminar on energy industry regulation. He volunteers extensively and serves in a leadership capacity for several community organizations. Michael is a current board member of the Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association and board president of the Wawasee Sailing Foundation.