Overview
Michael is Chair in Dorsey's Benefits and Compensation Group and head of the firm’s Executive Compensation practice group. Michael advises clients on tax, ERISA and related issues affecting equity compensation, deferred compensation, executive compensation, pension, ESOP and 401(k) arrangements. Michael’s practice can be broken into two areas of focus – equity/incentive compensation and retirement benefits/investments.
Michael creates equity, phantom equity and cash incentive programs for entities of all sorts, including corporations, partnerships, LLCs and cooperatives. Because Dorsey has a strong public company client base, Michael is particularly experienced in designing cash and stock incentive programs that adhere to ISS and Glass Lewis standards. Michael also works with a stable of ESOP-owned clients and frequently presents on topics for the National Center for Employee Ownership. Michael is an active member of the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, and is on the board of the Twin Cities chapter organization.
Michael’s other practice area falls under ERISA fiduciary compliance, particularly with respect to retirement and pension investments. Michael advises numerous plan sponsors and plan service providers with respect to ERISA fiduciary and prohibited transaction issues. Michael frequently attends investment committee meetings for many clients and understands many investment vehicles and services that are offered under ERISA covered retirement plans – whether retail, institutional, custom or private equity investments.
Education & Admissions
University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., 1997), cum laude
Minnesota Law Review
Charles E. Nadler Award
Law Review Staff Member of the Year
Wagner Labor Law Moot Court Director and Competition Team Member
University of Wisconsin - Madison (B.S., Economics with a Mathematical Emphasis, Political Science, 1994), graduated with distinction
Admissions
- Minnesota
Languages
- German
Experience
Client Achievements
- Washington Capital Management Acquires Great Point Investors
- Coolibar sets stage for growth with ownership change
- Key players combine in significant transaction for payments industry
- Land O’Lakes merging with United Suppliers to create stronger company
- Louisville Slugger brand to grow through historic transaction
- Tekmira and OnCore merge to create global company focused on HBV treatment
- Greater than the sum of its parts
- Donaldson completes $125 million senior notes offering
News & Resources
Articles
News & Press Mentions
Events & Speaking Engagements
Select Presentations
- MSBA: Executive Compensation Update (February 28, 2019)
- DorseyU: Preparing for the 2019 SEC Reporting Season (December 6, 2018)
- NASPP: Divorce, Death, Disability and Other Separations: How They Affect Your Equity Plan (July 12, 2018)
- MSBA: Equity and Phantom Equity Incentives for Partnerships (May 7, 2018)
- MSBA (Advanced Employee Benefits Workshop): Equity Compensation Trends in the Public and Private Spheres (February 22, 2018)
- DorseyU: 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: What You Should Know - Business and International Tax Reform (February 21, 2018)
- NCEO: ESOP Alternatives: Eligible Individual Account Plan and Other Alternatives (October 4, 2017)
- NCEO: Equity Compensation for LLCs (June 6, 2017)
- MSBA (Advanced Employee Benefits Workshop): DOL Audits of Retirement Plans (February 9, 2017)
- NCEO: Alternative Approaches to Equity Compensation (for ESOP Companies) (September 20, 2016)
- DorseyU: DOL’s Final Fiduciary Rule (May 10, 2016)
- NCEO: Sustainability Beyond Repurchase (April 14, 2016)
- MSBA: Compensating the Executive – Five Important Things You Should Know (October 27, 2015)
- Midwest Pension Conference: Amendments to DOL’s Definition of Fiduciary (September 27, 2015)
- NCEO: Alternative Approaches to Equity Compensation (for ESOP Companies) (September 1, 2015)
- DorseyU: The DOL’s Changes to the Fiduciary Rules: How Do They Impact You? (June 9, 2015)
- NCEO: Decision-Maker’s Guide to Equity Compensation (March 3, 2015)
- 2015 Advanced Benefits Workshop: Self-Directed Brokerage Windows (February 19, 2015)
- NCEO: Fiduciary and Legal Issues in Executive Compensation in ESOP Companies (October 2, 2014)
- NCEO: The ESOP Symposium: Selling the Company (September 16, 2014)
- DorseyU: Closely-Held Businesses: Ownership and Transition Strategies (April 17, 2014)
Industries & Practices
Banking & Financial Institutions
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceHealthcare & Life Sciences
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceSecurities & Financial Services Litigation & Enforcement
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceEnergy & Natural Resources
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceFood, Beverage & Agribusiness
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceEnvironmental, Social, Governance (ESG)
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Banking & Financial Institutions
- Benefits & Compensation
- Cooperative Law
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)
- Executive Compensation
- Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Securities & Financial Services Litigation & Enforcement