Michael graduated from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). In law school, he served as the co-Editor in Chief for Volume 27 of the Hastings Environmental Law Journal and was a member of the Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Team. Before law school, Michael received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Ursinus College and lived in the Asturias region of Spain for almost two years before moving to California.

Michael is also an avid scuba diver and hiker. He enjoys exploring the underwater world as well as the mountains of southern California. His commitment to the environment extends beyond his hobbies; he volunteers as an outings leader with the Sierra Club and contributes to underwater clean-up efforts with Ghost Diving USA, an organization dedicated to removing lost fishing gear and other debris from aquatic ecosystems. Michael also finds joy in spending quality time with his dog, Ovi.