Michael received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Iowa State University in 1975, a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Montana in 1986, and a J.D. and Ph.D. in philosophy from Rutgers University in 1991. Since returning to Montana in 1991, Michael has been employed as staff director by the Montana Federation of Teachers and staff attorney by the Montana School Boards Association. He has maintained a private law practice since 1996 and has recently represented the Indian Impact Schools of Montana in state and federal court in Impact Aid funding litigation. He is chair of the School Law Section of the State Bar of Montana and edits a quarterly newsletter entitled School Law News .