Michael focuses his practice on civil litigation and sophisticated transactional work, with particular emphasis on defending oil and gas operators in Western Pennsylvania. He has represented operators, landowners, and businesses in state and federal courts across a wide range of matters, including lease and contract disputes, tort claims, and property rights litigation. Michael brings experience at every stage of the litigation process — from drafting pleadings, dispositive motions, and appellate briefs, through discovery and settlement negotiations, to advocacy at mediations, hearings, and trials.

Beyond the courtroom, Michael advises clients on complex commercial transactions, including real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and development, as well as mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, venture capital financings, and general corporate counseling. He has represented both acquirers and target companies across a variety of industries.

Michael also serves as a court-appointed public defender, a role he approaches with the same rigor and commitment he brings to every client matter.

A lifelong Western Pennsylvanian, Michael is deeply rooted in the communities he serves. He is a member of the Cranberry Sunrise Rotary Club, having served as Club President from 2023 - 2024, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Seneca Valley School District Foundation, and coaches youth soccer locally. He believes that strong communities and strong businesses go hand in hand — and that commitment is reflected in both his professional work and his life outside the office.

• Regularly represents oil and gas operators in Western Pennsylvania in lease disputes, surface rights litigation, tort claims, and contract matters in both state and federal court.

• Advises clients on the full spectrum of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisition, disposition, financing, development, and leasing of commercial properties.

• Experienced in venture capital financings, private equity transactions, and private securities offerings, representing both investors and emerging companies.

• Successfully represented both acquirers and target companies through the M&A process, including significant transactional work within the software and technology industries.

• Served as transactional counsel to the sellers in connection with the multimillion dollar transfer of multiple McDonald's franchise restaurants in Pennsylvania, involving the assignment of franchise rights and McDonald's USA LLC franchisor approval, negotiation of purchase price concessions for pending franchisor-mandated capital renovation and technology upgrade obligations, structured allocation of post-closing reinvestment responsibilities, right of first refusal provisions on additional franchise locations, lien satisfaction with institutional lenders, and coordination among the franchisor, lenders, and opposing counsel in connection with the full suite of closing deliverables required for multi-unit McDonald's franchise transfers.

• Successfully guided clients through the Section 409A valuation process, helping businesses properly structure deferred compensation and equity arrangements to maintain compliance and avoid significant tax penalties.

• Secured dismissal of a quiet title action against a publicly traded natural gas producer at the preliminary objections stage, resolving the matter efficiently and before the cost of full litigation.

• Successfully represented a publicly traded natural gas producer in arbitration proceedings initiated by a competing producer seeking approximately $5 million in damages for alleged breaches of drilling commitments under a farmout agreement — defeating the claim in its entirety.

• Proven trial attorney with successful verdicts obtained on behalf of clients in jury trials.

• Experienced appellate advocate, having successfully briefed and argued appeals on behalf of clients before Pennsylvania appellate courts.

• Founded and grown a successful small law firm, bringing the perspective of a business owner to every client relationship.

• Successfully represented both acquirers and target companies though the M&A process, including significant work within the software and technology industries.

• Serves as court-appointed public defender, bringing the same level of preparation and advocacy to every client regardless of the matter's size or complexity.

• Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania state courts and federal court, with experience handling matters across multiple jurisdictions.

Co-author, “Quandies Involving Apportionment,” Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, 46th Annual Institute, Summer 2025.

• Allegheny County Bar Association

• Hay-Sell American Inn of Court, Member

• Rotary Club of Cranberry Township Sunrise, President (2023-2024)

• Seneca Valley School District Foundation, Trustee

• Seneca Valley Soccer Association

Michael’s bar admissions include Pennsylvania and the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Michael attended New York Law School, an independent institution situated in the heart of New York City’s dynamic legal, governmental, financial, and technological sectors.

Call (724)-269-2103 or email Michael at mozdinec@ozwitz.com