Ann Arbor is home.

My Story.

I was born in New York City in 1967, and after attending high school in Northern Michigan, I came to Ann Arbor in 1985 to attend the University of Michigan. During my time at the University, I earned four degrees (BA, BMA, MA, JD) and served as President of the Inter-Cooperative Council, a 550-member housing cooperative, and Editor-in-Chief of the Michigan Law Review.

After a few years out east in Providence and Boston, my wife (a townie, Eva Rosenwald) and I, moved back to Ann Arbor with our 1 yr-old son and our daughter on the way.

Henry and Ruby graduated from Pioneer and Community High Schools and now study at the University of Michigan and Middlebury College.

My Career.

Ann Arbor has a Council-Manager form of government, and so service as Mayor is not a full-time job. Professionally, I’m a lawyer, a partner in an Ann Arbor law firm on Main Street, where my practice focuses on helping individuals and families with their estate planning and administration needs and the commercial-law representation of local businesses, individuals, and non-profits.

Prior to my election to City Council in 2008, I served on the Board of Directors of several non-profits including 826michigan and FestiFools, and performed with numerous local choirs and community theaters.

Government Service.

I’ve always liked government, always believed that it can help make folks’ lives better in a 1000 ways, but I never dreamed of actually servicing. I just didn’t think I could do it.

One day though, Eva and I were having brunch at a friend’s house and we got to talking about state and national politics. My pal suggested that I run for City Council. I had all sorts of barriers in my mind about why it wouldn’t work, but they were mostly all fear and ignorance. Four weeks later, I had pulled petitions, four months later I won the primary and that was that. Bottom line — listen to your friends. They often know you better than you know you.

My service on Council (2008 to 2014) and as Mayor (2014 to today) has not been stress free, but working together with residents, colleagues, and staff to help make people’s lives better is incredibly satisfying. Thank you.