By Bill Maurer

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Michael Bindas spent three years defending America as an officer in the U.S. Army. Today, Michael spends his days as a staff attorney in the Institute for Justice’s Washington Chapter, where he defends the principles that made this country a beacon of opportunity. His work has been so impressive that Michael was named a “Washington Super Lawyer – Rising Star” for 2006 by Washington Law & Politics magazine.

IJ-WA attorney Michael Bindas

Each year, Washington Law & Politics mails ballots to the most recent group of attorneys named as Super Lawyers by the magazine. The Super Lawyers are asked to vote for the best attorneys who are either 40 years old or younger or who have been practicing for 10 or fewer years. The magazine then reviews the nominees, ranks them and cuts that list until only approximately 2.5 percent remain.

It is easy to see why Michael made this selective listing. Since he joined IJ-WA in July 2005, Michael has proven himself a champion of liberty. From challenging efforts of self-interested prosecutors to shut down politically unpopular talk radio discussions to fighting to keep the Green Lake Guest House Bed & Breakfast open in the face of irrational regulations, Michael has been in the forefront of IJ-WA’s efforts to make Washington a freer place to live.

Michael attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was Order of the Coif, clerked for Judge Rhesa Barksdale of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and worked for one of Seattle’s top law firms before joining the Institute for Justice. Michael demonstrates that IJ is able to attract the best legal talent to continue its fight against the entrenched interests seeking to stamp out opportunity, ownership and free speech nationwide.

Congratulations to Michael, IJ-WA’s Rising Star.

Bill Maurer is executive director of the Institute for Justice Washington Chapter.