On December 2, 2025, Michael presented on the importance of professionalism for new attorneys licensed in North Carolina. This presentation marks the second consecutive year that Michael has been invited to discuss the topic.
On November 17, 2025, Michael presented for National Business Institute at the “North Carolina Employment Law: New Laws, Useful Pointers, and Changes You Need to Make” seminar. Michael’s presentation focused on new wage and hour developments under federal and state law.
On October 17, 2025, Michael provided an ethics presentation at the “2025 North Carolina Bar Association Annual Review.” The Annual Review program is designed to provide attorneys with the latest updates on key court decisions and legislation.
Michael was recognized by Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch in Labor and Employment Law in 2026. This marks the fourth year in a row that Michael received the recognition, having received it in 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Michael was recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” in Employment Law and Employment Litigation in 2025. Michael was previously recognized by Super Lawyers in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
On February 27, 2025, Michael presented at the “North Carolina Human Resource Law 2025” seminar hosted by National Business Institute. Michael focused his presentation on social media and the workplace.
On January 31, 2025, Michael presented for myLawCLE and the Federal Bar Association on “The Duty to Mitigate in Employment Termination Cases: Strategies for Addressing Challenges in Litigation.” The presentation provided a comprehensive analysis of the duty to mitigate, including strategic considerations for both employees and employers.
On January 30, 2025, after successfully representing his client in a wage and hour action, Michael was awarded attorneys’ fees at the highest rate ever granted in North Carolina in an employment law contested fee dispute. Michael also obtained summary judgment on his client’s retaliation claim arising from the defendants’ frivolous counterclaims, marking the first time a North Carolina court has ever found that the filing of counterclaims may constitute unlawful retaliation in a wage and hour action.