Born in Cleveland and raised in the not-so-teeming metropolis of Canton, Ohio (except on the one or two occasions a year when the entire NFL - past and present - rolled in for Hall of Fame events), Michael Lebold has carved out a niche as the go-to attorney for businesses ready to take their first big leap toward freedom and growth. Whether he's working with emerging startups or established companies looking to expand, Michael is energized by helping entrepreneurs and business owners realize their dreams and turn ideas into reality.

Some of Michael's greatest skills are his abilities to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and craft tailored strategies that position his clients for success. His experience across various fields, including real estate, commercial contracts, LLC and corporate governance disputes, mechanics' liens, construction disputes, and creditor rights, gives him the versatility and insight needed to create unique plans tailored specifically to each client's vision and circumstances.

Michael firmly believes that clear, candid conversations are essential for business growth and protection. He prides himself on being forthright, providing clients with straightforward guidance and honest assessments, ensuring they're always equipped to make informed decisions. His ability to quickly adapt to new events and changing conditions allows his clients to respond swiftly and effectively to opportunities and challenges alike.

A notable part of the dispute-related work he handles involves LLC member and shareholder oppression matters or conflicts that surface in closely held companies when co-owner relationships deteriorate, and one party uses their control position in ways that harm the rights and financial interests of the others. Michael's transactional background gives him a distinct vantage point in these cases: he understands how LLCs and corporations are structured from the ground up, which means he can quickly identify where governance provisions have been exploited, where ownership rights have been undermined, and where the entity's original design has been turned against the very people it was meant to protect. He handles these matters on behalf of both aggrieved members and shareholders and the companies or controlling owners navigating disputes from the other side.

Clients appreciate his analytical mind, calm approach, and his quick recall of exactly the right Seinfeld episode or movie quote to illustrate virtually any legal or business scenario, a skill that endears him equally to clients and colleagues.

Outside the office, Michael remains committed to his passions: he's a dedicated golfer who relishes the strategic nature of the game, often finding parallels between making a critical putt and navigating a complex business negotiation. He's also the unofficial office photographer, documenting every "critter" that wanders onto firm property during his long bike rides through The Woodlands. An avid Astros fan, Michael also maintains an enduring loyalty to Ohio State, proving that, indeed, "no one ever really leaves Ohio."

Practice Areas

• LLC and Corporate Governance Disputes
• Business Formation and Entity Selection
• Business Agreements and Contract Drafting
• Business Transactions — Asset and Equity
• Shareholder and Member Oppression Claims
• General Counsel Services
• Real Estate Transactions
• Employee Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure Agreements

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas

Education

• J.D., University of Houston Law Center 2006
• B.A., Economics, Government and History, University of Texas at Austin 2001