Michael Fralin grew up in Stoughton, Massachusetts, where his dad was a Methodist minister and his mom stayed home to raise the family. From a young age, Michael learned the value of hard work, service, and staying grounded. After graduating from Stoughton High in 1993, he went on to the University of Michigan, where he fell in love with big ideas—and Michigan football.
Michael earned his law degree from Boston College in 2002. That same year, he began his legal career in New York City at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, one of the oldest law firms in the country. He later moved to Chicago to join Sidley Austin and soon found himself working in-house for J.P. Morgan, leading real estate deals in the Midwest.
His path took a turn back to New York, where he joined a public REIT, RAIT Financial Trust, and managed billions in complex real estate finance. But Michael wasn’t afraid to pivot—he even launched a children’s activity business for a few years before returning to law.
In 2016, he helped build SomeraRoad, a real estate firm that went from zero to $2 billion in deals. He served as its first general counsel, helping lead its national expansion. Today, he continues his legal practice at Bogal & Kahn LLP, advising clients on big-ticket real estate and finance deals.
Beyond the office, Michael is a dad, a Big Brother, a proud Red Sox fan, and someone who still makes time to watch a Michigan game at the Big House every fall.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually wake up early—around 5:30 or 6. I like having that quiet time before the world kicks in. I read the news, check my calendar, and jot down a few priorities for the day. I’ve learned not to overload my to-do list. Instead, I focus on the top three things I need to push forward. Once my kids are off to school, I dig into work. My day is usually a mix of drafting documents, negotiating deals, and managing closings. I stay productive by blocking time for deep work and being ruthless about distractions—no social media during working hours. I try to schedule calls and meetings in blocks so I’m not constantly switching gears.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by writing things down—literally. I still keep a yellow legal pad next to me. If an idea sticks with me for more than a day or two, I know it’s worth exploring. When I helped launch SomeraRoad, we had no assets and no staff. Every idea had to become a strategy fast. That meant translating vision into structure, documents, partnerships, and deals. I believe in acting before things feel perfect—you shape the idea while you move it forward.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m interested in how tax-exempt financing is being used in unconventional real estate projects. At SomeraRoad, I worked on a tax-exempt bond strategy for a major tower conversion. That experience showed me how creative capital stacks can unlock deals that wouldn’t otherwise pencil out. There’s a lot of innovation happening in the overlap between public incentives and private finance.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I end each workday by reviewing what I actually accomplished—not what I planned. Then I write down my top priorities for tomorrow. It sounds small, but it helps me reset and keeps me honest about how I’m using my time.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to take a detour. I left Big Law to launch a kids’ activity franchise, which seemed like a weird pivot at the time. But it taught me how to run a business, manage people, and take calculated risks. Those lessons helped me later when I helped build SomeraRoad from the ground up.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe you can build a strong network without constantly “networking.” Most of my meaningful relationships came from shared projects, not coffee meetings. Doing good work consistently creates gravity—people find their way to you.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Walk away from the screen. Some of my best thinking happens while I’m walking around the block, not staring at my laptop. When I’m stuck, I get outside—even if it’s just for ten minutes.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I do something physical. I might organize my workspace, fold laundry, or go for a walk. The act of completing a simple task resets my brain. It’s like clearing mental clutter by clearing actual clutter.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Saying “yes” to things before I felt completely ready. I accepted leadership roles, new practice areas, even a general counsel position before I felt 100% qualified. I’ve found that stepping up early forces you to rise to the challenge quickly.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
During the 2008 financial crisis, I was working at a public REIT and had to manage some tough restructurings. One deal fell apart late in the game, and I had to rebuild trust with a lender we’d worked with for years. That taught me how fragile deal relationships can be—and how important clear communication and transparency are, especially when things go sideways.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A consulting platform that matches smaller real estate developers with seasoned capital markets lawyers on demand. So many developers can’t afford full-time counsel, but they need guidance on structuring deals properly.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Adobe Acrobat Pro obsessively. It’s not glamorous, but for lawyers, it’s essential. I mark up documents, redline PDFs, extract terms—it’s how I keep deals moving.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I’ve reread The Big Short a few times. It’s a master class in how people behave when markets break. I find it useful as a lawyer and a former dealmaker. It’s also a reminder to always read the fine print.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I really enjoyed Slow Horses on Apple TV. The writing is sharp, and the characters are deeply flawed but fascinating. It reminds me that you don’t need to be perfect to make a real impact.
Key learnings
- Consistent action beats perfect timing—momentum builds as you move forward.
- Real connections often come from shared work, not traditional networking.
- Productivity is tied to structure—small end-of-day habits can reset your entire workflow.
- Saying “yes” before you’re ready can be the fastest way to grow into leadership.
- Big failures are where communication and integrity matter most.