Michael J. Barron, Jr.

Michael J. Barron, Jr.

Michael Barron brings to the law firm of Fletcher & Sippel many years of legal experience, focusing on commercial arbitrations, contract law, real estate law, FRA regulatory law, rail commerce and STB regulatory law, as well as state and local zoning law. He has appeared before the Surface Transportation Board, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Wisconsin Commissioner of Railroads, as well as state and federal courts in both Illinois and Wisconsin. He has also worked extensively in the state legislative process in Illinois and Wisconsin, assisting legislative bodies and lobbyists in drafting rail-related legislation. In addition, he has worked with communities on rail expansion and construction projects to ensure their support for enhanced rail facilities. He specializes in ICCTA and FRSA preemption issues and in the interaction of rail services and operations with state and local laws.

Michael was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He received his undergraduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame, after which he served in the United States Navy for four years as a Surface Line Officer. Following his military service, Michael attended the University of Michigan where he received his J. D. and Masters of Public Policy Degree. Michael then joined the bankruptcy firm of Hollis and Johnson as an associate, until moving on to work as General Attorney for Wisconsin Central Ltd. When the two companies merged, Michael joined CN and served as Counsel until joining Fletcher & Sippel in 2005.

Michael J. Barron, Jr.

Michael Barron brings to the law firm of Fletcher & Sippel many years of legal experience, focusing on commercial arbitrations, contract law, real estate law, FRA regulatory law, rail commerce and STB regulatory law, as well as state and local zoning law. He has appeared before the Surface Transportation Board, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Wisconsin Commissioner of Railroads, as well as state and federal courts in both Illinois and Wisconsin. He has also worked extensively in the state legislative process in Illinois and Wisconsin, assisting legislative bodies and lobbyists in drafting rail-related legislation. In addition, he has worked with communities on rail expansion and construction projects to ensure their support for enhanced rail facilities. He specializes in ICCTA and FRSA preemption issues and in the interaction of rail services and operations with state and local laws.

Michael was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He received his undergraduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame, after which he served in the United States Navy for four years as a Surface Line Officer. Following his military service, Michael attended the University of Michigan where he received his J. D. and Masters of Public Policy Degree. Michael then joined the bankruptcy firm of Hollis and Johnson as an associate, until moving on to work as General Attorney for Wisconsin Central Ltd. When the two companies merged, Michael joined CN and served as Counsel until joining Fletcher & Sippel in 2005.

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Juris Doctorate
  • Professor James J. White; Research Assistant in Commercial Law and Bankruptcy
  • University of Michigan Institute of Public Policy Studies, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Master of Public Policy
  • University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana; BA. in Government and Computer Applications

Bar Admissions

The Illinois State Bar
The Wisconsin State Bar
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
United States Supreme Court
8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Presentations & Publications

  • 2007: ASLRRA Annual Meeting Presentation: STB Developments
  • 2009: ATLP Conference Presentation: Preemption Update (Presentation published in 4th Quarter 2009 Journal of Transportation, Law, Logistics and Policy)
  • 2009: Regional Railroad Liability Seminar Presentation: Bankruptcy Update
  • 2010: ASLRRA Regional Meeting Presentation: Joint Facility Agreements
  • 2011: ATLP Conference Presentation: Preemption Update