Michael E. High

Michael E. High is an attorney at Drummond Woodsum in Portland who advises businesses, investors, lenders, and borrowers on corporate and commercial matters. He led the firm’s Business and Commercial Services Practice Group for more than 25 years. His work includes entity formation, owner relations, corporate governance, complex contracts, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, private placements, venture capital financing, technology licensing, transfers, and intellectual property protection and licensing.

Michael earned a J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1983, where he served as Articles Editor of the Cornell International Law Journal. He received an M.A. from Northwestern University in 1979 as a Danforth Graduate Fellow and a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of New Hampshire in 1977, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. His academic background supports careful analysis of complex business structures and transactions.

Michael has represented major financial institutions in commercial transactions and advised Maine colleges and utilities on debt issuances and other business matters. He has acted as local counsel in complex commercial and project financings and served as lead counsel on purchases and sales of technology, specialty food, and seafood businesses. His experience also includes management buyouts, investment fund formation, software development and licensing agreements, and other negotiated commercial arrangements.

Michael E. High has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for more than 25 years across numerous corporate and finance categories and has received several Portland Lawyer of the Year honors. Chambers USA has ranked him in Corporate/M&A, including at the Star Individual level, and New England Super Lawyers has recognized his business and corporate practice. He is also rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and remains active in business law organizations and committees.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Drummond Woodsum
• Member, Maine State Bar Association
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Former Chair, Business Law Section of the Maine State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association – Business Law Section

Licensed State

• Maine
• Massachusetts

Education

• Cornell Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Northwestern University
  Master of Arts (MA)
• University of New Hampshire
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges