Michael concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate and business law, mergers and acquisitions, taxation and estate and succession planning.
Overview
Managing partner of the St. Louis office and member of the firm's Board of Directors, Michael regularly advises clients on all aspects of general corporate law, including structuring business organizations and business transactions in the most tax advantaged and commercially practical manner, corporate organization and governance, and ongoing operational and contractual matters. With regard to mergers and acquisitions, Michael has negotiated transactions which deal with all aspects of stock purchases, mergers, asset acquisitions, joint ventures, buyouts, recapitalizations, spin-offs and reorganizations. Michael's taxation practice includes individual, corporate and business tax planning and consultation. In conjunction with his taxation practice, Michael's estate planning practice similarly involves business succession planning, tax planning, post-mortem tax planning and the preparation of estate planning documents.
Experience
Corporate and Business Law
- Often acting as general counsel, Michael represents clients on a broad spectrum of general business and corporate matters from formation to dissolution including business contracts, shareholder relations and day-to-day operational and contractual issues. Representation includes closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, start-up ventures, mid-market companies and national companies in a wide range of industries.
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Significant experience in mergers, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, spin-offs, reorganizations, consolidation of subsidiaries, joint ventures and strategic alliances for clients in a variety of industries. Representation further includes assisting clients in private placement and fundraising activities.
Tax
- In addition to individual, corporate and business tax planning, representation includes public charities and private foundations from inception through termination, including securing necessary IRS approvals to obtain tax-exempt status.
- Along these lines, Michael represents several public charities as general outside counsel. In doing so, his work has involved restructuring organizational documents to reflect best practices and protect the mission of the organization against potential future activist board members, advising with respect to ongoing contractual and corporate governance matters, and coordinating D&O insurance with an organization's governance documents to maximize protection of officers and directors.
Business Succession Planning
- Michael has worked with numerous closely held and family-owned businesses in connection with succession planning as they transition ownership to key management personnel and/or family members.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Michael is a frequent speaker on tax, estate planning and corporate related topics. Presentations have included:
- Year End Tax Planning
- Effective Strategies Involving Letters of Intent
- Estate and Gift Tax Planning
- Usefulness of Living Wills for Health Care
- Eligibility for Medicaid Assisted Coverage for Long Term Nursing Home Costs
- Transfer of Asset Rules Under Medicaid
Recognitions
Recognitions
Kaplan Named to St. Louis Magazine's Business 500 List for a Second Year
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® list, 2026-2027
Named to St. Louis Magazine's St. Louis Business 500 list, 2025
2023 Top 100 St. Louisans You Need to Know to Succeed In Business by St. Louis Small Business Monthly
Recognized on the "Top M&A Providers" list by St. Louis Small Business Monthly, 2023, 2025
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Westwood Country Club, Board of Directors
Jewish Family and Children's Service, Board of Directors
Sherwood Forest Camp, Board of Directors and Secretary
Ladue Education Foundation, Board of Directors
Habitat for Humanity
Little League baseball coach, 2000-2010
American Bar Association
- Business Law Section
- Taxation Section
The Missouri Bar
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
St. Louis County Bar Association
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Missouri, 1994
- U.S. Tax Court
Education
Washington University, LL.M., Taxation, 1995
St. Louis University, J.D., cum laude, 1994
- American Jurisprudence Award
University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 1991
