Originally from Wheeling, West Virginia, just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Michael attended West Virginia University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in History and Religious Studies and a minor in Russian Studies, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and served on the Executive Board of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

Upon graduation, Michael moved to Lexington, Kentucky to attend the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was Notes Editor of the Kentucky Law Journal, served as a judicial intern in the Northern District of West Virginia, and completed an externship in Fayette County Circuit Court. In 2019, he received his J.D. cum laude and was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is also a member of the Order of the Coif.

Michael lives in Lexington, where he enjoys playing hockey, studying art history, and following the West Virginia Mountaineers and Pittsburgh professional sports teams. On occasion, he even cheers for the Kentucky Wildcats.