Michael serves as “Of Counsel” at Gray Plant Mooty. He was president and CEO of International Dairy Queen, Inc. from 1987-2001 and chairman of the board from 2001-2003.
Prior to joining International Dairy Queen, Inc., Michael practiced law for 25 years with Gray Plant Mooty, and was a managing officer of the firm from 1977-1987.
Michael was an instructor in legal writing at the University of Minnesota Law School from 1962-1967 and held the Opus Distinguished Chair in Family Business at the University of St. Thomas, College of Business 2005-2007.
From 1956-1959 he served as a Naval officer in the Pacific. Michael is married to Marilyn Emmer Sullivan and they have six children.
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1962
- Marquette University, B.S., 1956
Bar Admissions
- 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1978
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1975
- Supreme Court State of Minnesota, 1962
- U.S. District Court Minnesota, 1962
Professional Activities
- American Law Institute
- Permanent Editorial Board for Uniform Commercial Code, 1987-1989
- American Bar Association
House of Delegates, member 1982-1986, 1987-1989
Joint Editorial Board of the ABA and Uniform Laws Commission for International Law, Cochairman - Minnesota Bar Association
Board of Governors, 1974-1976, 1979-1981, 1982-1986 General Chairman 1976 State Convention
Chairman, Client Security Fund, 1975-1976
Chairman, Continuing Legal Education Division, 1976-1979 - American Arbitration Association, Board of Directors, 1998-2008
- Uniform Laws Commission, Commissioner and Past President
- Board of Directors, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
- Board of Directors, The Valspar Corporation, 1990-2005
- Board of Directors, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company
- Board of Directors, Opus Corporation, 1994-2009
- Board of Directors, Fabcon Corporation, Chairman of the Board, 2003-2010
- Board of Directors, Minnesota/Canada Business Council, 1994-2001, President, 1994-1996
- Board of Directors, Minnesota Business Partnership, 1989-2001
- Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Board on Judicial Standards, 1984-1986
- Special Counsel to Attorney General of Minnesota, 1971-1974, 1976-1979, 1982-1984
- Hennepin County Bar Association, President, 1978-1979
Community Involvement
- Board of Directors, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis, chair, 1997-1999
- Board of Trustees, College of St. Catherine, 1986-1995, vice chair, 1993-1995
- Board of Trustees, The St. Paul Seminary, 1992-2000
- Board of Regents, St. John’s University, 2001-2004
- Board of Trustees, Convent of the Visitation School, 1992-2000
- Board of Visitors, University of Minnesota Law School, 1978-1984, 1996 -2002
- Board of Directors, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, 1980-2004, president, 1994-1996
- Board of Directors, Central Minnesota Legal Services Corporation, 1996-2004
- Board of Directors, The Fund for the Legal Aid Society, chair, 1985-1987
- Board of Governors, St. Mary’s Jr. College, 1967-1986, chair, 1975-1977; 1984-1986
- Board of Advisors, Center for Family Enterprise, Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas, chair
- University of Minnesota Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors, 1978-1984, 1996-2002, president, 1997-1998
- Board of Directors, University of Minnesota Alumni Association, 1991-1994
- Board of Directors, Fairview Health Systems, 1996-1997
- Campaign Chairman, Minnesota Independent School Fund, 1991-1992
- Board of Governors, Children’s Miracle Network, 1989-1999