I tell the story of my background because my life experiences, lessons, and values have shaped who I am as a professional.
ABOUT Michael Frisbie
25 years of experience and commitment
helping people solve their legal problems
Temple University School of Law – Estate Planning Certificate awarded 2016
Rutgers University School of Law – Camden, Juris Doctor awarded 1996
- Dean’s List, Hunter Advanced Moot Court, Environmental Law Society, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, Phi Delta Phi, and American Jurisprudence Award (during 1L at Widener)
- Internships: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rutgers Small Business Counseling Clinic, and Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic
The Pennsylvania State University – State College – Bachelor of Arts in History awarded 1990
- Dean’s List, Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society), and the Penn State Marching Blue Band
Stroudsburg High School – Stroudsburg, PA – 1986, Valedictorian
Bar Affiliations and Activities
- Pennsylvania, New Jersey (inactive); U.S.D.C. for the Eastern and Middle Districts of PA, and the District Court of New Jersey; Bucks, Lehigh, and Monroe County Court of Common Pleas
- 2020 Chair of the Orphans Court Section of the Bucks County Bar Association
- Bar Association Member – Bucks (YLD Chair 2000). Past Member of Monroe and Pike County
- Arbitrator for Common Pleas Arbitrations in Bucks, Lehigh, and Monroe including Chair
Presentations / Seminars
- Numerous presentations in Bucks and Montgomery County on Estate Planning
- Continuing Legal Education presenter on Estate Litigation entitled “Mom Really Did Like Me Better – The Basics of Estate Litigation”
- Continuing Legal Education presenter on The Paycheck Protection Program entitled “The PPP – A Practitioner’s Guide to Forgiveness”
- Continuing Legal Education presenter on Civil Litigation entitled “Arbitration Practice in Philadelphia County: A Survivor’s Guide”
- National Institute of Trial Advocacy
Family & Community Involvement
Mike lives with his wife Michele and family in Doylestown. They raise two teenagers, CJ and Ellie. The family spends way too much time with their pets, Beetlejuice, Baxter and Buddy. Everyone is active in the Bucks County community.
Music has always been a part of my life. My Dad was a high school band director. I learned to play the tuba and later the bass guitar. At Penn State, I played the sousaphone in the Marching Blue Band and traveled to see Penn State beat Miami in the Fiesta Bowl and win the National Championship. I later played in a “not very good” rock band but loved it. My children each play the piano and CJ plays the trombone and Ellie plays the trumpet. Now that they are older, I have really enjoyed listening to them make jazz music at Central Bucks West.
Fitness is an integral part of their lives. Michele, also an attorney, served on the YMCA Board of Directors for 6 years. She is a personal trainer, fitness instructor and fitness advocate. Mike enjoys friendly competition and challenges himself with P90X, Tough Mudders, and an Arnold Pump and Run. CJ runs and lifts weights and Ellie runs and plays soccer.
Mike is an Eagle Scout and was Scoutmaster for his son’s troop and is Assistant Scoutmaster for his daughter’s troop. On vacations, they head outdoors and hike and bike. This past summer, Mike backpacked with his son at Philmont Scout Ranch for 2 weeks. This summer, he will return with his daughter.
Community Involvement
- Washington Crossing Council of the Boy Scouts of America (Scouts BSA) – current Member at Large, and past Vice President of Executive Board of Directors
- Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 6G, Doylestown United Methodist Church
- Past Scoutmaster Troop 6B, Doylestown United Methodist Church
- Eagle Scout
- Warrington Soccer and Doylestown Athletic Association (DAA) – past head and assistant coach for soccer and basketball teams
- Active at the YMCA of Bucks County
FROM MIKE’S DESK…
My Story: From Humble Roots to Client Advocate
I grew up in Stroudsburg. I come from a long line of teachers. My parents and grandparents were teachers, my Mom was a home economics teacher and my Dad was a band director. We had a garden and we cut our own firewood. On my grandparents’ dairy farm outside Scranton, I learned how to drive a tractor, and bail hay. Most importantly, I learned how to work hard. We lived a wholesome and productive life with solid values that have been passed down through the generations.
A legacy of grit and perseverance
My grandparents got married right out of high school and started a dairy farm. They made it through the depression raising four children. They had to be good business people and good planners to manage the crops, livestock, and their budget through the winter and tough times. No one was giving them any handouts. They had to put food on the table every day. They had to plan for their own retirement even though “farmers never retire”. Farming wasn’t a job — it was a way of life. They had purpose and courage. They had hope.
When I was a young attorney and would go to court in nearby Scranton, I would often stop by my grandparents’ farm for a visit or to help them out. They would ask questions about the types of things I was working on and I would explain a matter or trial issue in one of my cases. I remember one day while explaining a fight over a legal issue I had just argued in court, my grandfather stopped me and said, “What on earth are you talking about Mike? It makes no sense!”
That was an important moment for me because it made me realize that I need to talk to my audience. I had just argued my case to the Judge and other attorneys, but I was no longer talking to them. My grandfather was a very intelligent man, but not versed in legal jargon. From then on, I knew that I needed to communicate with my clients in a way they can understand. Everyone has a different background and their own experience. Whatever that is, it is my job to communicate what I need to communicate. If I cannot write or speak so my clients can understand me, then I am not doing my job.
These strong principles are the foundation for the way I live my life and practice law. They are the reasons why I bring a genuine sense of empathy and compassion to every client I serve.