
Background
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Background
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Michael Weisel concentrates his legal practice on corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, commercial real estate, venture capital, business and corporate law, government relations, administrative and regulatory law, campaign finance and election law, and securities arbitration
Mr. Weisel joined Bailey & Dixon in 2007 after serving as general counsel to the North Carolina House Speaker Pro Tempore. He actively serves on numerous regulatory and administrative bodies and was general counsel to an occupational licensing board.
Representing corporations, financial institutions, insurance companies, associations and individuals before the N.C. General Assembly, U.S. Congress, agencies and regulators, he brings a unique blend of legal, legislative, business and political skills to successfully navigate his clients through governmental squalls.
Mr. Weisel also employs his distinctive experience and expertise in business representation, believing clients need clear, concise and practical counsel from their lawyer – not a 40-page legal memo. His clients get advice on making a good deal work, not excuses or roadblocks on why a deal can’t work.
After working nearly 20 years for firms such as Kemper (Zurich) Financial Services and Wells Fargo Bank, Mr. Weisel understands the business perspective. He has extensive experience in turnarounds, workouts, bankruptcy and litigation management. As an investment manager and advisor, he worked with pension funds, domestic and foreign commercial banks, investment and merchant banks, insurance companies, municipalities, and private investors managing over $1.25 billion in assets.
(Partnership; 11-50 employees; Legal Services industry)
January 2007 — Present (1 year 7 months)
Practice concentration in government relations, election and campaign finance law, securities arbitration, franchise, corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, venture capital, administrative and regulatory law.
Represent clients before the North Carolina General Assembly and Executive Branch, U. S. Congress, state and federal agencies in legislative, business and administrative matters.
Firm origins in 1916
“AV” Rated.
(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
1997 — Present (11 years)
Chair, 2006 – 2008 and former Treasurer (Chair, Audit Committee)
SmartStart is responsible for the allocation and distribution of over $19 million annually in Wake County, NC for North Carolina's nationally recognized early childhood education, health, and family support program
(Government Agency; 201-500 employees; Investment Management industry)
September 2007 — May 2008 (9 months)
Working over thirty years in the financial and legal worlds, I have the most experience and qualifications to be North Carolina’s next State Treasurer. During my financial career serving as an investment manager and pension fund advisor, I managed more than $1.25 billion in assets with such national companies as Kemper Financial Services and Wells Fargo.
Since 1992, I have served on nearly every state board and commission upon which past Treasurers served. These include the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, the State Banking Commission, and the State Board of Community Colleges.
(Partnership; 1-10 employees; Legal Services industry)
2003 — 2007 (4 years)
Represented corporations and real estate developers in complex business transactions and financings.
Represented candidates and candidate committees in campaign finance and election law issues before NC State Board of Elections and subsequent litigation.
“AV” Rated.
(Government Agency; Government Administration industry)
June 2006 — December 2006 (7 months)
Developed policy positions, drafted and implemented legislation on behalf of the Speaker Pro Tempore.
Met and handled legislative, fiscal and political issues with legislators, lobbyists, interest groups, and state and local government representatives.
Advised Speaker as General Counsel on statutory interpretation, case law, constitutional provisions, administrative rules, and proposed legislation.
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Transportation/Trucking/Railroad industry)
1999 — 2004 (5 years)
Chair, Audit Committee; Vice Chair, Real Estate Committee
Directed railroad operations and utilization of capital assets for North Carolina’s oldest (1848) corporation
(Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; Education Management industry)
1997 — 2000 (3 years)
Vice Chair, Finance and Capital Needs Committee; Audit Sub-committee
Governing body of NC Community College System overseeing equitable distribution of funds and fiscal accountability for the approximately $780 million annual budget.
Ø The NCCCS is North Carolina’s primary agency for the delivery of job training, literacy, and adult education.
Ø The System served 801,676 students through its 58 institutions during the 2005-06 academic year.
Ø The NCCCS is conveniently located in 90 counties across the state with 156 additional campuses or off-campus centers, in addition to the 58 main campuses with service areas of one or more counties.
(Public Company; Investment Management industry)
1990 — 1995 (5 years)
Responsible for investment and financial management of a $450 million portfolio for insurance companies and pension funds. Analyzed, structured and closed over $268 million in direct equity investments.
Reviewed and approved operating budgets and capital appropriations totaling over $26 million annually, with gross revenues in excess of $83 million.
(Public Company; WFC; Capital Markets industry)
1988 — 1990 (2 years)
Identified, structured, negotiated and closed over $130 million in direct equity investment for pension funds.
Designed, negotiated and closed over $95 million in joint venture financing, $38 million of Mortgage Backed Securities, and $43 million in tax-exempt bond financing.
Ph.D., Business History, 2002 — 2009 (expected)
Dissertation: “Charles Schwab and the Steel Navy: The Political Economy of Big Steel and the U. S. Navy 1885 – 1915”
M.A., History, 1999 — 2003
J.D., Law, 1977 — 1980
B.S., Business Management and History, 1974 — 1977
CIVIC BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
Wake County Democratic Party, Chairman (two elected terms), 1999 – 2003
North Carolina Democratic Party State Executive Committee, 1997 – Present
PUBLIC POLICY BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
Foreign Trade Zone #93, Chairman, 1997 – Present
North Carolina Legislative Financial Institutions Committee, 1998 – 1999
North Carolina State Banking Commission, 1993 – 1997
North Carolina Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement Systems – Trustee, 1993 – 1995
Legislative School Capital Construction Study Commission, 1993 – 1995, North Carolina Bar Association
Selected as Fellow of the Institute of Political Leadership
Named Outstanding Young Man of America by National Jaycees
Listed in Who's Who in America, 2007; 2008
Listed in Who's Who in American Law, 2007; 2008
Listed in Who's Who in the World, 2008