Biography:
Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Michael moved to New Orleans in 1992 to attend Tulane University. He graduated from Tulane with a B.A. (History, cum laude) in 1994 and a J.D. (cum laude) in 1997. While at Tulane, he was quite active in the appellate activities of the Tulane Moot Court Board, placing first at the Jessup International Law Regional Tournament in 1996 and coaching three appellate teams in 1997.

Always a cereberal advocate, Michael commenced his law practice at the appellate boutique of Barham & Arceneaux, APLC, where he specialized in trials and appeals of matters in the fields of products liability, commercial litigation and expropriation law. He was then associated with the firm of Taggart, Morton in New Orleans, specializing in healthcare law, commercial litigation and white collar criminal practice. In 2005, he opened his own solo practice with a particular concentration in state and federal criminal law.

Displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Michael returned to the New Orleans area and joined the law firm of Smith & Fawer in January of 2007. His experience in commercial litigation, white collar criminal law and expropriation litigation compliments the talent already in place at Smith & Fawer in these fields. He also brings strength in appellate litigation to the firm, having successfully argued numerous civil and criminal appeals before the state appellate courts and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Practice Areas:

• Civil Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Federal and State White Collar Criminal Defense
• Appellate Litigation

Admitted:
U.S. District Court, Eastern, Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Law School:
Tulane University, J.D., cum laude, 1997. Elected to the Order of the Barristers. Active for three (3) years on the Appellate Moot Court Board at Tulane, placing first at the Jessup International Law Regional Tournament in Second Year of Law School. Coached three (3) appellate teams in Third Year of Law School.

College:
Tulane University, cum laude, Bachelor of Arts Degree. Major in History with a Minor in Philosophy. Hosted television program on TSTV modeled after Crossfire format.

Member:
Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
      (Interim Chair, Amicus Committee 2007)
Louisiana State Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association

Born:
Shreveport, Louisiana on April 29, 1975

Contact:
mhill@smithfawer.com