Mike has a unique blend of expertise in government, litigation, and transactional matters, including:
- Insurance and financial services
- Legislative and regulatory matters
- Insurance litigation
- Transactions and corporate law
- Business and commercial litigation
- Ethics, campaign finance and elections
In insurance regulation and litigation, Mike handles a variety of government and litigation matters, including business and government disputes, regulatory matters, and litigation in commercial and personal lines of insurance. Mike has an "insider’s" view of Minnesota government. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, working for the Hon. Gary L. Crippen, and then staff in the Minnesota State Senate.
In insurance litigation, Mike handles coverage disputes, claims litigation, unfair business practices, agent/broker regulation and liability, bad faith, fraud claims, class actions, ERISA, excess and reinsurance, insurer insolvencies, mediation, and arbitration. Mike’s litigation work began when he worked on the insurance insolvencies of Mission Insurance Companies and Executive Life, two of the largest in U.S. history.
As a litigator, Mike represents clients at the trial and appellate levels in both federal and state courts, as well as in mediations and arbitrations, including FINRA and the American Arbitration Association.
In transactions, Mike has also developed a strong practice in transactional and corporate matters in insurance and financial services.
Mike has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School in Insurance Law and Regulation.
In ethics, campaigns and election law, Mike works with a variety of candidates, campaigns and officials navigating complex laws, regulations and politics. Mike represented the successful candidate in the 2006 St. Louis County Attorney race, one of Minnesota's largest election recounts.
Mike is a founding board member of the Minnesota Urban Debate League, estabilishing academic debate programs in urban schools. He is a member and sits on a variety of other community advisory boards and organizations.
Mike resides in Minnetonka, MN, with his wife Shari Latz Rothman, a professional harpist, and their three children. Among his interests, Mike coaches hockey, softball, T-ball, and soccer.
Bar Admissions
United States Supreme Court, 1995
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 1988
U.S. District Court for the District of Central California, 1993
U.S. District Court for the District of Southern California, 2000
U.S. District Court for the District of Northern California, 2000
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, 2002
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, 1995
Minnesota Supreme Court, 1988
California Supreme Court, 1993