Michael Cortez Email & Phone Number

After retiring from the Pa Senate in 2022, I recently became Of Counsel with the firm of Mette Evans and Woodside in Harrisburg. I plan on building on my years of experience to assist clients with general corporate matters, family business issues, international law, real estate, government affairs, human relations, and intellectual property issues. I also plan on connecting clients with the vast number of services provided by Mette including, banking law, estate planning, trusts, litigation and much more. Prior to joining Mette, I worked with Senator Lisa Baker and initially served as the Executive Director and Counsel for the Senate’s Labor & Industry Committee, a committee that Senator Baker chaired. As Senator Baker was asked to chair the Senate's Health and Human Services Committee and eventually the Senate's Judiciary Committee, I served as the Executive Director and Counsel for those Committee's as well.I originally started my public service in 2011 when I was appointed by then Governor Corbett as Deputy Secretary for Administration for the Department of Community and Economic Development (“DCED”). In August 2012, I assumed the position of Senior Advisor to the Secretary.Prior to assuming my duties at DCED, I served for 15 years as vice president, general counsel and secretary for Sheetz, Inc. In that role, I handled all legal aspects of this fast growing and dynamic family business including corporate and strategic planning, litigation, human resource issues, workers compensation, and contract law. In addition, I served in various capacities with a number of state and national associations including chairman of the legal committee within the National Association of Convenience Stores, chairman of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association's legislative committee, and member of the PFMA Convenience Store Council.In 2004, I was appointed to the Pennsylvania Business Tax Reform Commission, which was tasked with recommending changes to the commonwealth's business tax structure.Prior to my time at Sheetz, I worked for 7 years as house counsel and assistant secretary for publicly traded Weis Markets in Sunbury, PA. I began my career as an Associate Attorney in two California- based law firms, Musick, Peeler and Garrett in Los Angeles and Schramm and Raddue in Santa Barbara.I earned my Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and my bachelor's degree from Bucknell University. I am the proud father of four children and grandfather to nine grandchildren.