The son and grandson of West Virginian coal miners, Mike recognizes the value of hard work. He leverages his experience as an entrepreneur, corporate attorney, political leader, and U.S. attorney on every deal and matter he takes on.

His practice is as diverse as his career. Mike’s experience includes representing entrepreneurs and growing companies, industrial companies like coal and natural gas producers, lenders and borrowers, and companies through deals and transactions, including formative and governance issues, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, secured lending, and general business matters. Mike is also an accomplished mediator, specializing in complex corporate and business mediation. However, his practice and experience go far beyond business. Mike has extensive experience in legislative and government relations. He has led significant corporate internal investigations including that of a sizable public company. Mike is also a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and is engaged in public finance and economic development projects in West Virginia.

In 2017, he was nominated by the president and confirmed by the United States Senate as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, where he served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the district until March 2021. He oversaw actions throughout the southern district of West Virginia, including Charleston, Huntington, Beckley, and Bluefield and was intricately involved with the planning and execution of major law enforcement actions through the greater Appalachian region. His record as U.S. attorney is one of action, including prosecution of members of the W.V. Supreme Court of Appeals in a historic action, the largest elder fraud takedown in the history of West Virginia, the largest Medicaid fraud prosecution in the history of West Virginia, a landmark agreement negotiated with the State of West Virginia regarding disabled children and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the single largest law enforcement drug takedown in the history of West Virginia (Operation Saigon Sunset), as well as many other critical white collar, fraud, and violent crime initiatives and actions.  Mike even led the effort for adoption of a “Back the Blue” license plate for West Virginia, and his proposal passed both houses of the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Justice in 2019. West Virginia law enforcement officials presented Mike with “Back the Blue” license plate #0001, which proudly adorns his truck. He built strong relationships between federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, policy leaders, and the Department of Justice.

Mike’s experience as a past public accountant; past chair of the West Virginia Republican Party; past chair of the Entrepreneurship Committee of A Vision Shared, a West Virginia statewide development initiative; past chair of statewide initiatives like the nonpartisan effort to bring a national general election presidential debate to the state through the formation of a state partnership between West Virginia, West Virginia University, West Virginia State University, and the city of Charleston; past co-chair of the Corporate practice at a major law firm, and past United States attorney - the trifecta of business, government, and politics makes him a valuable resource for clients who want to achieve their business’ and organization’s needs and goals.

His collective and practical experience in business, government, and politics is especially beneficial to his clients. He understands business and the art of the deal. Mike knows the political process and the critical players. He not only understands federal civil and criminal enforcement, Mike knows his way around the halls of the United States Department of Justice. From business to government to politics, he understands the process, knows the players, and understands who to call and the actions needed for resolution. 

Bar Admissions

West Virginia

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Education

• Boston University School of Law (J.D., 2000)
• West Virginia University (1995)
  • B.S. Business Administration
  • B.A. Political Science

• Generation Next, West Virginia 40 Under 40, State Journal

• West Virginia State Bar Association
• Republican National Lawyers Association
• Federalist Society
• Leadership West Virginia
• National Association of Bond Lawyers