A child of the Midwest, Michelle was born in Oklahoma and has deep family roots in Kansas. While raised in Texas, she returned to Oklahoma to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma State University. She ultimately made her way to the South, moving to Virginia to attend law school.

Together, she and her husband, Miles, have established themselves in Tennessee. While a piece of her heart will always belong to Texas, Michelle has joyfully made Nashville her home.

Along the way, Michelle has been a member of Southern Baptist churches throughout her life. She has great appreciation and gratitude for the church, both locally and as the greater worldwide Body. Her faith has guided her in her education and throughout her legal career. Coupled with that faith, Michelle has always had a deep love of this country.

God has allowed her to combine her love of the church and its people, and her interest in government throughout her career, working in both politics and policy. For over a decade, Michelle worked at a legal nongovernmental organization passionately defending the religious rights and liberties of individuals and championing the protection of the unborn. Her career has been focused on the protection and preservation of an individual’s first amendment freedoms in the face of the government’s continual quest for further control.

Her commitment to justice, advocacy, and the church now extends to her practice in church law at Gideon Law Group, where she focuses on strengthening and safeguarding local churches, private schools, and religious nonprofits. Michelle believes that healthy churches are effective churches, and effective churches are needed to be the hands and feet of Jesus, pushing back the darkness and offering the Light in a lost and broken world. 

Beyond her legal career, Michelle enjoys exploring ever-changing Nashville, engaging in thoughtful theological discussions, and losing track of time while reading a compelling book. She also delights in the strategic challenges of mahjong, and dabbles in crochet.

With a deep-seated commitment to compassion and integrity, Michelle is dedicated to advancing the voice of Gideon Law Group’s clients through its founding of The Ministry Wire where ministry-minded analysis of the law, policy, and issues facing the church has a place to thrive. 

Michelle is licensed to practice law in Tennessee, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. She is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, as well as several federal appellate and district courts.