Corporate Law & Governance Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Law Political Law
 
 
 
 
 

Michael L. Weisel

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Michael Weisel concentrates his legal practice on corporate finance, commercial real estate, venture capital, business and corporate law, government relations, administrative and regulatory law, campaign finance and election law, and securities arbitration.

Michael founded the Capital Law Group to concentrate on greater efficient client service and responsiveness. Previously, he was a partner with several prominent North Carolina law firms, and general counsel to the North Carolina House Speaker Pro Tempore Richard T. Morgan. 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.

Michael 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, Michael 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.

During the 2008 election for North Carolina State Treasurer, the state’s largest newspaper recognized Michael’s extensive experience and qualifications. The Charlotte Observer endorsed his candidacy stating, “a high level of expertise is critical, and ought to be the deciding factor for voters. Persuasive campaigning should take a back seat to qualities such as seasoning, the strictest ethics and financial acumen… because of his experience and qualifications, we recommend Michael Weisel for state treasurer.”

Michael's legal abilities have been recognized by his peers, who voted him a 'Best Lawyer in America' for Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, and a 'Legal Elite' for Business Law in Business North Carolina magazine. Since 2006, he has appeared in Who's Who in American Law. In 2012, Weisel was honored to receive the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The Order is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to North Carolina.

 

Education

Duke University 2002 - Current
Ph.D. work in Business History (ABD)
Dissertation in progress: “Charles Schwab and the Steel Navy: The Political Economy of Big Steel and the

U. S. Navy 1885 – 1915

North Carolina State University   2003
M.A. 
Thesis: “Dixie Gentlemanly Capitalism: Studies in British Finance of the Confederacy” 

Campbell University, School of Law   1980
J.D.

Guilford College   1977
B.S. in Business Management and History (Double Major)
Senior Thesis: “T. E. Lawrence and His Influence on the Arab Revolt”

 

Bar Admissions

State of North Carolina
U. S. District Court, Eastern District of N.C.
U. S. Tax Court
U. S. Supreme Court

 

Select Reported Cases

  • Beason v. N.C. Dep't of Sec'y of State, 742 S.E.2d 209 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013) (application of North Carolina’s lobbying law; affirming order setting aside agency’s attempted fine of lobbyist)
  • Beason v. N.C. Dep't of the Secy. of State, 743 S.E.2d 41 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013) (authority of state agency to interpret North Carolina lobbying law; substantially affirming order setting aside agency’s unprecedented fine of lobbyist)
  • Turner v. Hammocks Beach Corp., No. COA 11-1420, 2012 N.C. App. LEXIS 1392 (N.C. Ct. App. Dec. 18, 2012) (removal of trustee and ownership of almost 300-acre tract of coastal property) (NC Supreme Court 759 S.E.2d 93 (2014) dismissal)
  • Kirkland's Stores, Inc. v. Cleveland Gastonia, LLC, 733 S.E.2d 885 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012) (proper venue for action for breach of lease)
  • Bailey v. Flue Cured Tobacco Co-op. Stabilization Corp.,581 S.E.2d 811 (N.C. App. 2003) 
  • Burke v. Wilkins, 507 S.E.2d 913 (N.C. App. 1998)

 

Professional Affiliations

  • North Carolina State Bar
  • North Carolina Bar Association (Member, Legislative Advisory Committee)
  • Wake County Bar Association
  • National Association of Securities Dealers (Prior licenses)
  • Series 7 License – General Securities Representative
  • Series 24 License – General Securities Principal
  • Series 63 License – Uniform State Law

 

Corporate Involvement

  • North Carolina Railroad Company
    • Member (Chair, Audit Committee; Member, Executive Committee), 2017 – Present
    • Member and Corporate Secretary (Chair, Audit Committee; Vice Chair, Real Estate Committee), 1999 – 2004

 

Community Involvement

  • Foreign Trade Zone #93, Chair or Vice Chair, supervising all foreign trade activity within the Raleigh/Durham zone, 1997 – Present
  • Wake County Smart Start, Inc. (non-profit), Chair, 2006 – 2008 and former Treasurer (Chair, Audit Committee), responsible for allocation and distribution of over $18 million annually for North Carolina's nationally recognized early childhood education, health, and family support program, 1997 – 2008
  • Wake County Democratic Party, Chairman (two elected terms), 1999 – 2003
  • North Carolina Democratic Party State Executive Committee, 1997 – 2007
  • Edenton Street Methodist Child Development Center, Board Member, 1996 – 1998
  • Candidate, North Carolina State Treasurer, 1995 – 1996; 2007 – 2008
  • National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) – Certified Arbitrator and Chairman for public or industry securities arbitration and dispute resolution, 1998 – Present
  • United States Selective Service System, Local Board Member – North Carolina, Appointed on behalf of the President, 2003 – 2023
  • North Carolina Board of Community Colleges – Member, governing body of NC Community College System, 1997 – 2000 (Vice Chair, Finance and Audit Committee)
  • North Carolina Legislative Financial Institutions Committee – Member, charged with recommending state financial statutory changes, 1998 – 1999
  • North Carolina State Banking Commission – Member, provided regulatory oversight of all NC banks, 1993 – 1997
  • North Carolina Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement Systems – Trustee, oversight of the State's $62 billion pension funds, 1993 – 1995
  • North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System – Trustee, oversight of the State's $62 billion pension funds, 1993 – 1995
  • Legislative School Capital Construction Study Commission, resulting in North Carolina's successful $1.8 billion new school construction bond issuance, 1993 – 1995

 

Honors and Recognition

  • Selected for inclusion in 'The Best Lawyers in America' for both Corporate Governance and Corporate Compliance Law
  • Selected as 'Legal Elite' for Business Law in Business North Carolina magazine
  • Martindale-Hubbell's peer review highest rating "AV" for legal ability and ethical standards
  • 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 since 2006
  • Listed in Who’s Who in American Law since 2006
  • Listed in Who's Who in the World since 2008
  • Selected for Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 2012

Contact Info

Address: 1101 Haynes Street, Suite 205, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604

Phone: 919.679.1776
Fax: 919.679.1783
Email: mlweisel@caplawgrp.com