BACKGROUND
Mike manages CowanGates’ estate planning and business and corporate law teams. He primarily practices estate planning and administration, general business law, and commercial and residential real estate law. He provides comprehensive estate planning and tax advice to individuals as well as small businesses and established corporations. Mike also handles complex real estate matters including contract and lease negotiation, construction, and permanent financing.
Mike received a B.S. in accounting from Virginia Tech and a J.D. in 1982 from the T.C. Williams School of Law of the University of Richmond. He is a member of Salisbury Presbyterian Church and the Midlothian Rotary Club.
With an abundance of knowledge regarding wills, trusts and estates, check out Mike’s frequently asked questions.
TESTIMONIALS
“Our company has had the pleasure of working with Mike Hall since 1996 and we have benefited greatly from his sound legal guidance. Mike’s approach is straightforward, keeping his clients best interest at the forefront of every decision. Mike takes time to get to know his client to better understand their needs. I do not hesitate to pick up the phone and call Mike to discuss any legal concern I have, because I know that he will provide us the advice necessary to make good decisions both personally and professionally. Mike’s personal approach is what sets him apart from others. We have and will continue to refer Mike Hall at CowanGates to our friends and family.”
“After experiences with the long drive, big buildings, and fancy offices downtown, it was refreshing to find nearby, with easy access, and a pleasant family-type reception, the equivalent top competency in Mike Hall at CowanGates. CowanGates personnel do not purport to be magicians; they provide a reasonable best effort by well-trained competent and conscientious personnel in an easily accessible, comfortable environment at a fair cost. It does not get any better than that. After attempting do-it-yourself systems and other low cost options, it was obvious that the competence of Mike Hall at CowanGates is a very good value. While primarily advising us on estate planning matters, the depth of knowledge in other arenas at CowanGates has been obvious. It is high comfort to deal with one strong person in Mike Hall, knowing that he can call upon experts in many areas as needed. CowanGates office provides a warm reception by phone and a gracious welcome in person. Every person at CowanGates presents professionally without opulent veneer and with a friendly, quiet efficiency.”
“Mike, I just wanted to tell you what a pleasure it was to work with you. I would highly recommend you to anyone and everyone and you can be sure I will. I wanted to know if there was someone there that I could write a letter to extolling your virtues, professionalism, warmth, and all things that make ‘you’ the attorney to be titled the Go-To Attorney for all things related to estate planning. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that I was fortunate enough to have you to draw up all these necessities for me and to find that not only was it painless, but when it was completed, it was like taking in a breath of fresh air. Thank you so much for your time and work. I want to be a part of having you recognized for a job well done and for being so patient with me during my mom’s passing. It was not an easy time but you took me to the finish line smiling.”
“I have been in the financial industry for over 19 years and have referred clients to several attorneys during that time. However, I have yet to work with an attorney who cares more about my client’s well being than Mike Hall. He has a rare gift of relaying complex legal issues in an easily understandable language, an ability which I view is extremely important. I know when I entrust Mike with one of my clients that they are always in good hands and I have received nothing but positive feedback. I feel fortunate to have found such a strong partnership and would highly recommend both Mike Hall and CowanGates to anyone in need of their services.”
“It is my pleasure to recommend the services of CowanGates to you. I have been a client of CowanGates since 2002. During that time I have worked directly with Mike Hall on numerous professional and personal ventures. Mike Hall has provided me with excellent counsel and guidance with every interaction. In 2002, I sought to become a partner in my company, Wilton Construction Services. Mike Hall handled all aspects of this venture with professionalism and a vast legal knowledge. When the opportunity arose in 2006 to purchase Wilton Construction Services, I contacted Mike Hall to represent me in this endeavor as well. Again, he handled all negotiations and ensured that I was aware of all legal options during this process. Mike Hall and the staff of CowanGates made what could have been a difficult process one of the most positive and smooth business transactions that I have been involved with. Since then, Mike Hall has personally handled all of my estate planning and is the Registered Agent for Wilton Construction Services, Inc. CowanGates and Mike Hall have always provided me quality service and counsel. Not only would I recommend them for all of your legal needs, but I will continue to be a client of CowanGates for all of my future legal needs.”
“Mike Hall and the lawyers at CowanGates have been valuable resources for my family and business for over 20 years. Mike and his team have been my personal and business lawyers, helping me navigate house closings, lease negotiations and estate planning. In each case they have been truly professional, providing fast, accurate and above all, common sense advice to complex situations. I am grateful to have had Mike and his team for trusted, professional, legal consultation and guidance all these years. Therefore, it is without hesitation that I recommend Mike Hall for anyone needing a lawyer.”
“It was a great fortune that Mr. Mike Hall was recommended to me some (14) years ago. Since that time, Mike and the staff of CowanGates have been a valued partner in the growth of my company. Attention to detail, timely responses, sage counsel and fair billing are the attributes which have secured my loyalty, both now and in the future. I have never hesitated to make a quick phone call in order to secure Mike’s opinion on the multitude of business issues presented to me on a weekly basis. Additionally, I utilize Mike for all my personal estate planning and other family matters and continue to recommend CowanGates to my personal and business relations.”
“The word ‘professionalism’ can best describe the estate planning team at CowanGates. As a former Probate Deputy Clerk in a local Circuit Court and having worked with Mike, Scott, and Amy for nearly seven years, their vast knowledge, experience, and efficiency of providing the necessary estate administration information always ensures a smooth process for their clients. I highly recommend using CowanGates for all of your estate planning needs.”