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Meet Michael Thom, Young Leader from Philadelphia

What is your primary area of practice, and what drew you to it?

I have a transactional practice that focuses on banking (public and private financing) and real estate matters. As part of my transactional practice, I provide advice to clients on corporate formations and private securities transactions. I also have been able to use my transactional practice to work with municipal governments and municipal authorities who want to acquire or sell water and wastewater systems throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Tell us about a recent memorable project, matter or case that you’ve worked on. What was fun? What was challenging?

My colleague Tom Wyatt and I recently represented a municipal water authority in its acquisition of a water distribution system. This transaction is memorable because all parties involved were able to come together and close the transaction in the record timing of just two weeks. This was a significant transaction, as its acquisition not only removed the water distribution system from private residential control, but it also gave the municipal authority the framework it needs to continue to expand its water distribution system throughout the county. The transaction also provides the opportunity to use the seller’s assets as a potential gateway to further and greater regionalization for the municipal authority, and enables the seller to decommission a small treatment plant that would inevitably require significant and costly upgrades.

Since the pandemic, what is one thing that has improved in your life?

“One a private note, working remotely has allowed me to spend more time with my wife and children because I have significantly reduced my commute times. My daughter was born mid-pandemic as well, which is a tremendous gift.

On a professional note, our firm has gone above and beyond to make sure that each attorney and professional staff member has had the tools and resources he or she needs to continue to operate throughout these tough times. This has been a great relief during the pandemic because it has alleviated stress or concern attributable to operating during the pandemic.”

And now, a wild-card question:  What’s your favorite place to visit and why?

“Since Ally Law is international, I will give two answers. My favorite place to go is Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It is relaxing, beautiful and there is so much to do and see. It is a place where you can just get away from everything and do as little or as much as you’d like.

My second answer is directly related to the United States. My favorite place to visit in the United States is Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. This is a great, friendly destination filled with beaches, golf and adventure and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a different place to visit in the US.”

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Founded: 1904
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Michael Ally Law