Profile
Baird Holm LLP mourns the passing of our longtime colleague and friend, Michael L. Sullivan, who dedicated more than 50 years of his life to the firm and the legal profession.
Upon graduating from the University of Kansas School of Law, Mike joined Baird Holm and quickly became a foundational figure in the firm’s tax, estate planning, and franchise practices, serving as a trusted advisor to individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations across the region. A nationally recognized authority in his field, Mike was regularly included in The Best Lawyers in America® and was twice named “Lawyer of the Year” in Franchise Law for Omaha. He also held longstanding recognition in Great Plains Super Lawyers. He was a Nebraska State Bar Foundation Fellow and an active member of the state and local bar associations.
Beyond the accolades, Mike just really loved practicing law and solving problems. He had a natural curiosity and a knack for the practical that served as a perfect combination. His first rule in solving the problem was not to overcomplicate the answer. Even in the most challenging matters, Mike brought clarity, confidence, and calm—qualities that earned the respect and trust of clients and colleagues alike.
Throughout his tenure, Mike served as a mentor to generations of attorneys at Baird Holm. In the last few years, as he slowed his practice, he purposefully increased his mentoring. Mike found real joy in working with younger attorneys and teaching them not just in the substance of the law, but in counseling clients and being a professional. His approachable style and thoughtful guidance left a lasting impression on the firm’s culture and standards of practice.
Mike loved nothing more than spending time with his wife, Fiona, his children, Britt, Jenna, Sean, and Michael, and his 9 grandchildren. Mike had an incredible sense of humor. But just as easily as he could make you laugh, he could also provide you with sage advice and an ear to bend, especially if the conversation revolved around his beloved Kansas Jayhawks.
Mike’s legacy is felt in the strength of the firm’s core practices and in the many professionals he mentored and inspired. He exemplified the highest ideals of the legal profession, and we are profoundly grateful for his decades of service, leadership, and friendship.
Mike’s guidance, friendship, and countless contributions to Baird Holm will be greatly missed.
