Michael D. Fabius is a Co-Leader of the firm's Gaming Team. He is an administrative law attorney with particular experience advising clients in the heavily regulated and quickly expanding gaming, racing, and sports wagering industries, and in litigating claims in front of administrative agencies.
Based in Philadelphia on the border of the second and third largest U.S. gaming jurisdictions, Mike has advised gaming companies since Pennsylvania first launched its gaming industry in 2007 through two waves of gaming expansion in the United States. In his national gaming practice, Mike advises retail and online operators, manufacturers, suppliers, landlords, investors, and other participants in the gaming, racing, and sports wagering industries. All of these companies necessarily confront intensive regulations and licensing requirements in the Unites States to enter and remain in each state’s market, conduct business in each state’s market, and obtain regulatory approvals for mergers, acquisitions, financings, and other material transactions. This includes frequent meetings with staff and public presentations to gaming and racing regulatory agencies. In addition, Mike has extensive experience as lead regulatory counsel advising clients on compliance for large, multi-jurisdictional transactions requiring notices and approvals from several independent regulatory agencies.
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
Mike has been a General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law since 2019. As a General Member of International Masters of Gaming Law, Mike collaborates with leading gaming law regulators and practitioners across domestic and international gaming industry who are involved in most material gambling sector developments and issues worldwide.
Mike is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and its Administrative Law Section. He also serves on the Gaming Law Committee, where he tracks and reports on all current developments affecting Pennsylvania's casino industry. He also maintains a survey of consent agreements entered into between the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and licensees to create a resource that helps licensees negotiate future consent agreements when the need arises.
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, Gaming Law (Philadelphia), 2021-2025
Chambers USA, Gaming and Licensing (Nationwide), 2022-2024
Recipient of the 2022 AJC Human Relations Award
Speaking Engagements
International Comparative Legal Guides, “Gambling 2021: A practical cross-border insight into gambling law,” Seventh Edition, USA-Pennsylvania Chapter, Author
International Comparative Legal Guides, “Gambling 2020: A practical cross-border insight into gambling law,” Sixth Edition, USA-Pennsylvania Chapter, Author
Mike is also a frequent speaker on a variety of relevant regulatory topics related to the Right-to-Know Law, lobbying compliance, and other areas of Pennsylvania political law.
Board Memberships & Community Service
Mike volunteered on the Vote Philadelphia transition committee organized by City Commissioners Stephanie Singer and Al Schmidt upon their election. Specifically, he served on the Law and Policy subcommittee and assisted in the drafting of the transition committee's report. Previously, Mike served as part of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter's Emergency Management transition team, and was a lead draftsman on the Emergency Management transition memo. He has also guest-lectured in a high school advanced civics class on government and the political process.
Credentials
Education
Emory University School of Law (J.D. 2007)
Recipient, Dean's Public Service Award; Recipient, Emory Public Interest Committee 3L Award; Justice, Conduct Court; Chairman, National Steering Committee for Just Democracy; President, Emory Chapter, National Steering Committee for Just Democracy
Vassar College (B.A. 2004)
Admissions
New Jersey
Pennsylvania