Michael has been a practicing attorney for nearly 30 years, amassing a diverse and successful portfolio of litigation experience in the public and private sector, in some of the most complex legal fields including administrative, business, environmental, and constitutional law. Michael’s appointment as general counsel of TCU took effect late in 2020.
Michael is the principal legal officer, working closely with the executive leadership team and providing leadership in all matters with legal implications, including supervision of all litigation, guidance on regulatory compliance and bringing a legal perspective to TCU’s strategic vision.
“We are delighted to have Michael on board as our new general counsel,” said Barry Nelson, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union. “Michael is a strong leader in the legal community who has a proven heart for service. His track record of dedication to ethics and giving back to his community aligns perfectly with our philosophy of ‘people helping people.’ He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to TCU.”
Michael’s experience includes virtually all aspects of government law, including regulatory oversight, compliance and 15 years as deputy or general counsel for four state agencies— most recently at the California Department of Insurance. He is an active volunteer in the legal and local community, having served two terms as a Supreme Court appointee on the State Bar Trustees Nominating Committee, Chair of the Amicus Committee of the California Access to Justice Commission, president of the Sacramento County Bar Association, Appellate Mediator for the Third District Court of Appeal, multiple commissions for the City of Davis, and volunteer for his daughters’ schools, among many other roles.
Michael’s penchant for giving back to the community and striving to make our society better makes him a powerful ally for TCU’s Awesome Cause, which is to change lives and lift communities through financial wellness.
Michael is recently published, having joined the author team for the 2020 Rutter Group publication of California Practice Guide: Administrative Law.
Michael earned an LL.M. (cum laude) in natural resources and environmental law from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College (1998), a J.D. from the University of San Diego (1991), and an A.B. from U.C. Davis (1988).
Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution serving those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Merced, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Yolo Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 13th largest credit union in California with more than 214,000 members and more than $3.9 billion in assets.