Michael Bishop

Michael D. Bishop is the Founder and President of American General Counsel PLC, a full-service law firm based in Rochester, Michigan. He brings a unique blend of legal, business, and public policy experience to his work and now joins the Rodel Institute as Executive Director of the Congressional Leadership Fellowship, helping to develop principled, bipartisan leaders for public service.

Michael returned to the private sector in 2019, following his service in the United States Congress. While in Congress, he served on the House Committees on Ways and Means, Judiciary, and Higher Education, where he worked on legislation supporting military service members and veterans, strengthening opportunities for families and businesses, and advancing comprehensive tax reform. His work also took him abroad, where he represented the United States in meetings with world leaders and military personnel, engaging on matters of diplomatic, economic, and national security importance.

Since leaving Congress, Michael has continued his public service from the private sector with a focus on restoring civility in public discourse, strengthening bipartisan leadership, and supporting self-governance at home and abroad. He has worked with leading academic institutions and policy organizations and has led international delegations to Malasia, Kosovo, Kenya, and the Republic of South Korea, engaging with leaders on governance, public policy, and economic relations. Through fellowships and teaching roles at the University of Southern California and George Washington University, he regularly engages with students and future leaders on bridging political divides and strengthening civic institutions.

Earlier in his career, Michael served as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer at International Bancard Corporation in Detroit, while also teaching as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He also served as Co-President of iPSE-US, the national association representing independent professionals and the self-employed, through 2020. Before that, he was a Senior Attorney at Clark Hill PLC, where he focused on public policy and business law.

Michael’s public service began in the Michigan Legislature, where he served from 1998 to 2010 in both the House and Senate. He was selected by his colleagues to serve as Senate Majority Leader, overseeing Senate operations and acting as a lead negotiator in balancing the state budget.

He began his professional career as an entrepreneur, founding two successful small businesses while practicing law in both criminal defense and civil litigation. He also served as a local prosecutor, working closely with law enforcement to protect communities and uphold the rule of law.

Michael is licensed to practice law in Michigan, the District of Columbia, and before the United States Supreme Court. He is also a licensed real estate broker and serves as President of Freedom Realty, Inc. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. During his undergraduate and graduate studies, he studied abroad at the Universidad de Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain, the University of Paris in Paris, France, and Cambridge University in Cambridge, England.

A 2010 Rodel Fellow, Michael credits the experience with sharpening his leadership and deepening his commitment to principled, bipartisan public service. That experience now comes full circle as he joins the Rodel Institute in support of the Congressional Fellowship, helping to develop the next generation of national leaders.

Michael is a lifelong resident of Rochester, Michigan. He and his wife, Cristina, are the proud parents of three children, Benjamin, Gabriella, and Nathan, along with their dog, Koda.

Mike can be contacted at mikebishop@rodelinstitute.org.