Mike is the former co-chair of the firm's energy and climate change industry team. He joined McGuireWoods in 1979. His practice focuses principally on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and the development and financing of energy projects. He has also been involved in economic development work in Virginia and across the country.

In the energy area, Mike has represented owners, investors and lenders in the development, acquisition and/or financing of combined heat and power, biomass, wind, solar, landfill gas, coal-fired, gas-fired, nuclear and hydroelectric power generating facilities throughout the United States. He has also represented electric and gas utilities, as well as non-utility energy companies, in connection with the acquisition and sale of gas pipeline and electric generation and distribution companies and assets across the United States and in Canada, Central America, South America, Australia and Europe. Mike has also worked extensively with chemical companies in connection with domestic and international mergers and acquisitions and in the development of large chemical plants.

In January 2002, Mike was appointed Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade by Governor Mark Warner. In that capacity until January 2006, he was responsible for 16 state agencies (including Virginia’s economic development agencies) with approximately 3,000 employees and a budget of more than $800 million.