Michael Fralin didn’t always plan on becoming a real estate attorney. He grew up in the small town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. His father was a Methodist minister. His mother stayed home to raise the family. Life was grounded, simple, and full of purpose.
Today, Michael is a senior attorney with over two decades of experience leading large commercial real estate and structured finance deals. But his path wasn’t straight—and that’s exactly what makes it worth studying.
Early Career Lessons from Wall Street
Michael’s legal career started at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, the oldest law firm in the U.S. He joined their real estate finance group after graduating from Boston College Law School in 2002. The timing was important—he entered the industry just before the real estate boom of the mid-2000s.
“Cadwalader was fast-paced and full of very smart people. I had to learn quickly how to manage complex deals,” he recalls.
He moved to Sidley Austin in Chicago in 2005 and then joined J.P. Morgan as in-house counsel for their Midwest real estate loan business. That role gave him something law firms often don’t: a look at the business side of transactions.
“I was seeing how deals were shaped from the inside. I wasn’t just reviewing documents—I was helping structure them,” Michael says.
Finding Value in Unexpected Detours
But Michael’s journey wasn’t all law. In 2010, he made a major pivot. He stepped away from corporate life and launched a children’s activity franchise called Kidville. It was a big change—and a big risk.
“I had been thinking about entrepreneurship for a while. Running Kidville taught me how to hire, how to manage payroll, and how to handle pressure that’s way different from law.”
After three years, he sold the business and returned to legal practice, but the lessons stayed with him.
Bringing a Real Estate Firm to Life
In 2016, Michael became the first hire at SomeraRoad Inc., a real estate private equity firm. At the time, the company had no properties and no team. Over the next five years, it grew to over 40 employees, 70 properties, and more than $2 billion in total deal value.
As general counsel, Michael helped build the legal and business infrastructure from scratch.
“Everything had to be created from the ground up—investment strategy, compliance, closing checklists, you name it,” he says. “We were writing the playbook while playing the game.”
One of his standout projects involved structuring a tax-exempt bond issuance for the Lightwell Tower project—an example of using public financing tools in creative ways.
“That was a chance to think beyond the usual financing channels. These kinds of projects are where innovation and impact meet.”
Small Habits That Make a Big Difference
Now at Bogal & Kahn LLP, Michael focuses on real estate and structured finance. But his approach to work has shifted over the years. He’s more intentional.
“I used to fill my day with calls and emails. Now I write down my top three priorities each morning and focus hard on those.”
He ends his day by reviewing what he actually got done—not just what he planned. “That reflection helps me stay grounded and honest about my time.”
Making Room for Growth—Even When It’s Uncomfortable
Michael is open about how his best career moves came when he said yes before feeling ready.
“Whether it was joining a new firm, running a business, or stepping into a GC role, I’ve learned to move forward even if I’m not 100% confident. That’s usually when growth happens.”
He also pushes back against the idea that constant networking is the only way to grow a career.
“Some of my most important connections came through shared work, not coffee chats. You build trust by showing up, doing the job, and being someone others can rely on.”
Time, Clarity, and the Bigger Picture
Away from work, Michael stays busy with his two kids, now teenagers. He travels often, especially to Martha’s Vineyard in August, and makes a yearly pilgrimage back to Ann Arbor to catch a Michigan football game at The Big House.
But even during high-stakes projects, he finds time to reset. “If I’m overwhelmed, I’ll go fold laundry or take a short walk. It sounds basic, but that break often clears things up.”
He also supports causes close to his heart, including the NAACP, local food charities, and the Democratic Party. And he’s stayed in close contact with the young man he mentored as a “Big Brother” in law school.
Key Takeaways from Michael Fralin’s Career
Michael’s story isn’t about chasing titles. It’s about building systems, learning from detours, and being bold enough to bring big ideas to life—even if they don’t look perfect at first.
“You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be curious, stay honest, and keep moving forward.”
Read more:
Michael Fralin: Building Big Ideas from the Ground Up
