Home: Lake Oswego, Oregon. Age: 58. Birthplace: Inglewood, California. Profession: Attorney. Organization: Cable Huston LLP. Title: Attorney/Partner. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: Carol (spouse). Alma mater: University of Notre Dame (B.A., English, 1986); University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1989).
Current project: Helping daughter Annie transition from high school to college. Recent recognition: Best Lawyers, Employment Law - Management. Latest contribution to others: Lawyers for Literacy Campaign. Hobbies: Watching sports, spending time with family. Recent travel or adventure: Visiting colleges in Colorado with my daughter and wife. Last book read: Jitterbug Perfume, by Tom Robbins. Recently viewed and recommended: Kominsky Method.
Personality profile: Funny, caring, intellectually curious. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? True. Moral compass: I’ve got to be honest. How do you define a perfect friendship? Smart, funny, true. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Partnership. What is your greatest joy? Seeing my kids (26, 18) succeed while being awesome and caring people. What natural talent have you neglected? Stand up comedy. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Teachers. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? The ocean.
What book have you repeatedly read? The Immense Journey, by Loren Eisley. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Breaker Morant. What’s featured prominently on your home or office wall? A Norman Rockwell print called “Breaking Home Ties”. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? Mom and Dad. What is the best advice you received growing up? My mom always told me, from age 4 or so on, “Be a leader, Mike. Lead by example.” I think it was her way of keeping me out of trouble, but it is good advice. What is the best advice you received in your career? When I first started, my mentor suggested this as the key to effective legal writing: tell them what you're going to tell them; tell them; then, tell them what you told them.
What widely held belief do you reject?
That the way things are, or have been, is the way they should be. Instead, I embrace the idea that change is good and natural and possible.
What mega-trend most excites you? The gradual destigmatization of mental health care. What mega-trend most concerns you? The bankrupting of language. For example, every politician is for “equality” or “freedom” but those words have been hollowed out and turned into empty slogans that are routinely filled in different ways. And the worst part is that most of the time neither the user nor the hearer is aware of it. It is a by-product of the problem Allan Bloom flagged in The Closing of the American Mind (1987).
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Jack Lemmon or Bob Newhart. If the director really wanted to unleash me, it would be George Carlin. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My dad. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? It was a debate between being the shooting guard or point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers (of course, neither came to pass). How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Tomorrow’s no good; I’m busy. Let’s look at the calendar. What advice would you give your younger self? Breathe.
Personal mission: Bring humor to every situation. Favorite quote: “If you’re going to make a mistake, make a big one.” (This was my father in 1973, as a first-time soccer coach, talking to the team of 8 - 9 year olds at practice.)
