MICHAEL R. FLANIGAN joined the firm in April of 1995 as a legislative advocate, having worked in this capacity for most of his professional career. From 1986 to 1995, he was the Director, Government Regulations, for the California Society of Certified Public Accountants representing the Society before the California Legislature and various state agencies, including the State Board of Accountancy, the Franchise Tax Board, the State and Consumer Services Agency.

Since first becoming a legislative advocate in 1976, he has also represented the Association of California Life Insurance Companies, the California Chamber of Commerce and National Medical Enterprises. Additionally, he served as the press contact for several successful ballot initiative campaigns and for the start-up of the Smog Check Program under Governor George Deukmejian. Related

professional experience includes serving on the deputies' committees of the California Roundtable, United for California and the Federation of American Hospitals. He served as one of Governor Pete Wilson's appointees on the California Boating and Waterways Commission. He chaired the commission from 1994 to 1995.

He received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. He is a registered lobbyist with the State of California.