Overview
Practice Focus
Experience
Mike is the Co-Chair of the firm’s Energy Practice Group and prior Chairman of the Firm’s Government and Public Finance Group. Mike has extensive experience working on gas and electricity related issues. He is also working directly with a number of advanced / renewable energy companies on finance and regulatory issues. Mike's practice includes oil and gas issues, particularly as it relates to shale opportunities.
Prior to joining McDonald Hopkins, Mike was the Director of Governor Taft’s Regional Economic Development Office in Cleveland, where he was the senior liaison between the Cleveland business community and the Governor. While at the Governor’s office, Mike worked on securing state funds for local projects ranging from infrastructure improvements to tax credits for job creation to capital improvement projects for the region. He was involved in numerous major public/private partnerships. Mike continues to assist clients in financially engineering their projects with the assistance of public support.
Mike is also a former member of the Ohio General Assembly and the former Co-Chair of the Cuyahoga County Republican Party. He served on the Republican State Central Committee and has acted as Special Counsel to the Ohio Attorney General for the last 11 years. He currently also serves as a trustee in Chagrin Falls Township.
Mike earned his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1990. He attended Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and received a B.A., with highest honors, from Grove City College in 1984.
Representative Cases/Matters
- Represents a national oil and gas driller with respect to government issues and land rights.
- Represented an advanced energy company in regards to its FERC permits for an installation off the coast of New Jersey.
- Represented a start up company in regards to its FERC and Army Corp permits for river installations.
- Obtained a new Final Rule regarding tire registration for a distributor.
- Represented a consortium of coal companies in securing a federal appropriation.
- Representation of trade group of Ohio industrials regarding energy issues.
- General counsel for an offshore wind project.
- General counsel for an energy development company.
- Representation of a national association with respect to election law disputes.
- Representation of a major steel manufacturer with respect to a $250 million dollar federally guaranteed loan.
- Representation of a major steel manufacturer with respect to a bankruptcy workout.
- Representation of a coalition of Fortune 1000 companies with respect to a legislative initiative to mitigate asbestos exposure.
- Representation of manufacturers and technology companies with respect to government economic assistance packages.
- Representation of multiple steel companies on carbon reduction initiative.
- Representation of a shale E&P with focus on legislative, regulatory, and water issues.
- Formation and representation of an industrial water company.
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Assisted pipeline EPC with state and FERC related issues.
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PPP projects include multiple sports stadiums, highways, convention centers, and short line railroads.
Credentials
Admissions - Court
- Ohio Supreme Court
- Federal Court for the Northern District
Admissions - State
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
Education
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law
- Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
- Grove City College
Honors and Awards
- Presidential Citation Award, Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northern Ohio, 2012
- Forty Under 40: The Class of 1995, Crain's Cleveland Business
- Leadership Cleveland: The Class of 1994
- Ohio Roundtable Leadership in Government Award, 1994
Professional Membership
- Ohio Oil and Gas Leasing Commission
- American Bar Association
- American Council of Young Political Leaders
- American Council on Renewable Energy
- Leadership Cleveland, Class of 1994
Public Service and Volunteerism
- Chagrin Falls Township Trustee (2009-Present)
- Cuyahoga County Republican Party, Co-Chair (2000-2005)
- Governor Taft’s Northeast Ohio Regional Representative (1999-2000)
- Ohio State Representative (1992-1998)
Insights
Alerts
Blog Posts
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What is causing the U.S. decline in CO2 emissions?
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Massachusetts’ NIMBY approach to energy is jeopardizing the environment globally
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Change in policy needed to ensure untapped energy potential is reached
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4 unappreciated truths about natural gas
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Northeast utilizing dirty, expensive fuel oil – not clean natural gas – during this deep freeze
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Midwest rides out record cold with economical natural gas
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Trump can lead an energy renaissance that environmentalists should support
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An active FERC could achieve a win-win-win
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Dysfunction in Washington impacts energy projects
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Trump’s Energy Week focuses on America’s energy dominance
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Unique solar platforms offer new energy solutions
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Shale industry closing the door on energy re-regulation in Ohio
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Appalachia rising
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Shale midstream at a crossroads
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Comparing 100 days of Trump vs. Obama
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2017 is affirming that shale is transformative
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In Ohio energy policy, the new squares off with the old
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Update on Trump's energy initiatives
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Can natural gas prices break out?
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President Trump’s Energy Plan
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The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Shale
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Appalachian Shale’s Trump Card
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MH Energy Exchange Ep. 001: The Republican Party energy platform with Dan Carter
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More natural gas pricing trends
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Natural gas breaks through $3
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Big Ohio shale shout out
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Conservatives and clean energy
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Post-Convention Energy Insights
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Golden Age of US Energy
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US energy security is on the rise
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Who is #1 in the Utica?
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State of shale dependent on responsible energy policy
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More on the presidential hopefuls and energy policy
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Governor Kasich steps out on energy
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Say what?! Energy Secretary Moniz and the pipeline problem
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It is time for Congress to support the US Oil & Gas Industry
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End of the year energy cheer
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It's the Utica...
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It's the shale stupid
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Seeking natural gas price equilibrium
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Former GOP candidate [and Harvard University!] show way on energy
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Obama's natural gas dance
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Daniel Yergin on oil's historic year
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Debate 2015: Where is the energy?
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US shale and Utica are astounding
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More on Ohio's budget: Less severance
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It's June and it's Ohio Budget Time
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Can Solar Stay Hot?
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Could An Ohio Ballot Initiative Unite Severance Tax Foes?
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Utica in 2015 and the Oil and Gas Severance Tax
News
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McDonald Hopkins holds discussion to examine impact of tariffs on U.S. solar development
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"Dublin-based IGS to develop solar farm on former landfill near Cleveland"
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"IGS Solar to Begin Construction of Solar on Landfill Site in Ohio"
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MH Business Exchange Episode 4 forecasts the future of the US energy market and its impact on the economy
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"Kasich announces appointments to state boards and commissions"
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"Brooklyn solar farm work to start soon"
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"Charter Steel's planned $153 million expansion in Cuyahoga Heights wins a key approval"
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"Solar farm proposed for Brooklyn landfill clears another hurdle"
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"Where will Cuyahoga County build its first solar farm?"
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Cogeneration Coalition formed to assist in the development of favorable public policy
External Publications
- "Utica Shale Production in a Slump, Waiting for Next Boom," Geauga County Maple Leaf, March 26, 2015
- "How energy projects are driving the national, state and local economies," Smart Business Magazine, April 2012
- "How to find the best electricity provider to meet your needs," Smart Business Magazine, July 2010
- "Energy savvy business," Smart Business Magazine, August 2009
Events
Events
- U.S. Solar Development in a Tariff World | Tuesday, April 24, 2018
- Shale Update: 2017 Analysis and 2018 Forecast | Tuesday, January 16, 2018
- Going Solar in Ohio and Beyond | Tuesday, June 27, 2017
- LUNCH WITH Ohio State Senator Matt Dolan | Monday, May 22, 2017
- Shale Update: 2016 Analysis I 2017 Forecast | Tuesday, November 29, 2016
- Energy Forum: Oil and gas revisited | Wednesday, June 15, 2016
- Energy Forum: Shale Update: 2015 analysis | 2016 forecast | Tuesday, December 1, 2015
- Energy Forum: Utica Outlook 2015 | Tuesday, January 20, 2015
- Energy Forum: Is solar right for your business? | Thursday, March 6, 2014
- Energy Forum: Water Management Challenges in the Shale Industry | Wednesday, October 30, 2013
- Creative project financing | Thursday, February 28, 2013
- Energy Forum: It's all about water! Water challenges in the oil and gas industry. | Wednesday, February 13, 2013
- Energy Forum: Water challenges in the oil and gas industry. | Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Speaking engagements
- Moderator, Energy Forum on Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV), June 7, 2012
- "State Renewables Policies – Lessons Learned After a Decade of Success," ABA/ACORE Webinar, Moderator, February 15, 2012
- Co-Chair of the monthly ABA/ACORE Webinar Series
