Michael has the privilege of serving as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  He teaches Criminal Law and Constitutional Law II.  He is also a member of the Content Scope Committee of the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

He began teaching Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing at UC Hastings in 2007, and joined the Santa Clara Law faculty in 2010. He managed and coached in the moot court programs, helping students hone their advocacy skills.  During that time, he served as the Coordinator of the Legal Writing Department. He then also took on the role of Director of the Office of Academic and Bar Success, where he helped students meet the academic challenges of law school, and pass the California Bar Exam. Outside the law school, Michael is a panel attorney for the Sixth District Appellate Program, and the California Appellate Project, where he serves as appointed counsel for clients appealing felony convictions.

Originally from Iowa, Michael earned his B.A. in ancient history from Tufts University. He then moved to San Francisco to earn his J.D. from UC Hastings. During that time, he coached and competed with several champion moot court teams. He was also the Co-Chair of Hastings Outlaw, which intervened in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez to defend the rights of LGBT students.

Following law school, Michael clerked for the Civil and Appellate Divisions of the San Francisco Superior Court, served as a Litigation Associate for a boutique firm in San Francisco, acted as General Counsel and Senior Vice-President of a social media marketing company, and then worked for a commercial bar prep company.  He also created and hosted the podcast, Legal Lad’s Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Lawful Life.

Michael lives in San Francisco with his husband, black lab, and blue nose pit bull.