Michael was born in Utah, but lived in many locations around the world due to his father's military career. Following his graduation from Livorno American High School in Pisa, Italy; he attended and graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS in economics. Immediately following his time at BYU, Michael attended and graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law with a JD and from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah with an LLM.

While in law school, Michael was an editor of the Energy Law Journal and earned a graduate certificate in resources law. Michael also assisted in the editing of the ABA Environmental Section's Year in Review publication. He has practiced before the 10th United States Circuit Court of Appeals, the Nevada Supreme Court, Utah Supreme Court, among the federal and state district courts in Nevada and Utah.

In his free time, Michael likes to spend time with his wife and son and enjoys jeeping, hiking and mountain climbing.