Michael is originally from Madison, New Jersey.  He earned his bachelor's degree in 1989 in Political Science with a minor in Economics, from Drew University, where he was a Rose Memorial and Madison Scholar, and received his law degree in 1992 rom Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was an Associate Editor of the Seton Hall Law Review and a member of the Seton Hall Legislative Bureau and Journal.

Michael has extensive state and federal court trial experience.

Michael is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Third and Eleventh Circuits, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, and the District of New Jersey.  He has a Martindale rating of 4.6.

Michael has been active in Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP) for over 25 years.  He served on the Board of Directors of Mazzoni Center, an LGBT-focused non-profit health center, and on the Board of Directors of the Washington Square West Civil Association.