Biography

Mike is a highly-regarded, Boston-based business and tax lawyer helping clients with sophisticated transactions in the areas of business, real estate, tax and financial planning and estate and gift tax planning for individuals. He has over 45 years of experience with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, partnerships and limited liability companies, individuals and corporations.

Mike was the Chairman of the Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster's Tax Practice Group and served as Managing Director of the firm. In addition, he is active as a leader in the civic and professional life of Boston.

Mike has been a frequent lecturer and contributing author for MCLE, Federal Tax Institute and ALI/ABA programs on real estate and complex partnership taxation issues.

Mike joined Rackemann in 1971, right out of law school. Rackemann combined with Verrill Dana LLP in 2022.

Services/Industries

Education

  • Harvard Law School  (J.D.)
  • Boston College  (B.A., summa cum laude)

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Boston Bar Association
  • The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
  • Society of Fellows, Boston Bar Association
  • Trustee, Brigham and Women’s Physicians’ Organization (2000-present)
  • Chairman, Compensation Committee, Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization (2000-present)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Conflicts of Interest, Harvard Medical School (1994-present)
  • Corporate Member, Partners HealthCare System, Inc. (1995-present)
  • Member, Committee on Professional and Institutional Conduct, Partners HealthCare System, Inc. (1997-2008)
  • Director, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Inc. (1998-2002)
  • Chairman and Director, Operation Smile (Greater Boston Chapter) (1995-2001)
  • Director, Brigham Surgical Group, Inc. (1996-2000)
  • Director, BWH Anesthesia Foundation, Inc. (1995-2000)
  • Chairman, Ventures Advisory Committee, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (1986-1997)
  • Trustee, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (1987-1996)

Honors

  • Selected for listing in The Best Lawyers in America, 2005-2020

To learn more about third-party ratings and rankings, and the selection processes used for inclusion, click here.

Court and Other Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. Tax Court

Firm Highlights

Blog

New Options for Retirement Plan Distributions Under SECURE 2.0

This post summarizes the new distribution options, including penalty-free withdrawals, applicable to defined contribution plans under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) and provides a timeline of their effective dates. The new...

Matter

Advised Fortune 500 Company on Group Health and Welfare Benefit Plans

We were engaged by a Fortune 500 manufacturing company to provide legal and compliance services regarding its group health and welfare benefit plans. During the course of our representation, we have advised the company...

Publication/Podcast

State Trademark Registration

The United States has two levels of trademark registration: state and federal. A state trademark registration is issued by a state office and protects a trademark only in that state, whereas a federal trademark...

Blog

Tesla’s Cybertruck Raffle

On May 11, 2023, @BabyTesla3 sent out a Tweet: NEW: Tesla has revamped the Referral program and introduced a new loyalty program! Here’s what you need to know • S/X: 3,500 credits (referrer) &bull...

Event

Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups

Verrill associate Emily Waddell will be presenting at PROPEL 's Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups. In addition to presenters sharing their expertise, this session covers various Human Resource topics including...

Publication/Podcast

U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad with Ruth Mattson

Verrill partner Ruth Mattson was recently featured on The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel 's podcast series Trust and Estate Talk . In this podcast, U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad...

Blog

GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH!

Remember that old parody of the Battle Hymn of the Republic we used to sing before there was an Internet? There are apparently many versions, but they all generally involve children inflicting various types...

News

Jim Cohen Discusses “No Blank Checks” Citizen Initiative Before Maine Legislative Committee

Verrill Partner Jim Cohen was recently quoted in a Spectrum News article " Maine Ballot Initiative To Require Voter Approval For $1B Borrowing Gets Broad Support.” Maine LD 1772 is a citizen-initiated ballot question...

News

Verrill Welcomes Partner Andrew M. Walsh to Firm’s Business Law Group

Matter

Elections and Constitutional Law: Successfully Challenged Certification of Initiative Petition

In a victory for consumers and the ride-hailing public, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently barred the Secretary of State from placing on the November ballot initiative petitions proposed by companies such as Uber...

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700