Michael believes that for virtually every problem, there’s a solution. He finds this to be especially true at Ganek, where the collegial atmosphere among the firm’s lawyers and its culture of honoring the practice of legal research means if a transaction issue arises, he can find a resolution.

A native of Atlanta, he grew up in Opelika, Alabama and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Psychology before continuing to Alabama’s School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1989. He started his career in commercial litigation, but soon gravitated to real estate law and joined Ganek in 2004.

Michael prioritizes a thorough approach with his clients’ transactions, always pulling surveys to reveal any encumbrance that could impact the deal, researching tax records, and helping with probate advice, contract drafting, special stipulations, etc. Communication is another priority, being available for any questions and keeping clients fully informed about each step in the process. He wants his clients to come into the room with a full understanding of the transaction, having seen the numbers involved in advance and feeling fully comfortable with all the terms of the deal.

His clients appreciate that thoroughness, also his kindness and calmness in tense situations. He enjoys the daily interaction with people from all walks of life in real estate law and is fulfilled to be able to earn people’s gratitude and respect when he works through a problem with their transactions.

Michael calls himself an “obnoxious” Alabama football fan and plays and follows tennis. He and his husband, Kelly, count themselves lucky to live in the Morningside neighborhood of Atlanta, which he describes as a diverse, cohesive and welcoming community. The couple enjoy traveling, their favorite destinations being Thailand and Peru. Another travel highlight was to the UK to see Carlos Alcazar play in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.