Michael T. Spink, Partner
Michael’s practice is limited to mediation and alternative dispute resolution. His historical practice included commercial law, construction law, real estate transactions, business formation and litigation. He has significant experience in business formation and dissolution, residential development, sales and acquisitions, commercial lending, land use litigation, creditor/debtor rights and administrative law.
Michael is substantially curtailing all mediation practice in 2024.
Video Mediations Available
Video Mediations Available
Areas of Practice
Mediation
Real Estate
Business Law
Education
- Stanford University, B.A., 1972
- University of Denver, J.D., 1977
- Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, 2012 (Certificate in Mediating the Litigated Case).
Bar Admissions
- 1978, Idaho, 9th Circuit; 1981, U.S. Supreme Court; 2007, Oregon
Professional Associations
- Idaho State Bar Association
- Oregon State Bar Association, Inactive
- National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
- Association for Conflict Resolution
- Idaho Mediation Association
- Oregon Mediation Association
Professional & Community Involvement
- Dispute Resolution Section of the Idaho State Bar, Council Member, 2013-2015
- Member of the real estate, commercial, bankruptcy, and litigation sections of the Idaho State Bar, and the real estate section of the Oregon State Bar
- Faculty, Idaho Law Foundation Seminars on Mediation, Real Property Law, Boundary Law, Construction Law and Liens
- Board Member, Boise Art Museum, 2009-2015 (President 2013-2014)
- Board Member, The Cabin (Log Cabin Literary Center), 2000-06 (President, 2004-05)
- Idaho State Bar IOLTA Committee, 1997-2002 (Chair 1999-2002)
- Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Local Government Committee (Chair, 1988-89)
- Deputy Attorney General, Idaho State Tax Commission, 1981-1982
- 1stLieutenant, USAF, 1972-1975
Honors & Awards
- Best Law Firms (US News), Tier 1, Real Estate
- National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Diplomate Member
- Listed in Mountain States Super Lawyers® under Alternative Dispute Resolution – 2022- 2024
- Best Lawyers in America (US News), Lawyer of the Year in Litigation, Real Estate – 2020-2024
- Best Lawyers in America (US News), Lawyer of the Year in Real Estate – 2024
- Best Lawyers in America (US News), Real Estate Law and Litigation, Real Estate – 2024, 18 Years
- Listed in the 2023 Mountain States Super Lawyers Edition® Annual List of Top Attorneys under Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Chambers and Partners, USA Rankings, Real Estate: Butler Spink, LLP – 2022
- Chambers and Partners, USA Rankings, Mediation, Tier 1 – 2023
- AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell®
- AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell® – Judicial Rating
- AV® Preeminent™ rating from The American Lawyer/Corporate Counsel®
- Listed in the Best Lawyers® under Real Estate and Real Estate Law (2006-2024)
- Listed in Chambers USA 2019® as a “Ranked Lawyer” under Real Estate
Reported Cases
- DAFCO LLC v. Stewart Title Guaranty Company
156 Idaho 749, 331 P.3d 491 (2014) - Canal/Norcrest/Columbus Action Committee v. City of Boise
137 Idaho 377, 48 P.3rd 1266 (2002) - Boel v. Stewart Title Guarantee Co.
137 Idaho 9, 43 P.3d 768 (2002) - Eagle Water Co., Inc. v. Idaho Public Utilities Com’n
130 Idaho 314, 940 P.2d 1133 (1997) - Kawai Farms, Inc. v. Longstreet
121 Idaho 610, 826 P.2d 1322 (1992) - Chittenden & Eastman Co. v. Leasure
116 Idaho 981, 783 P2d 230 (1989) - Gardner v. Evans
110 Idaho 925, 719 P2d 1185 (1986) - Murphy v. Etchegaray
108 Idaho 814, 702 P.2d 852 (1985) - Greater Boise Auditorium Dist. v. Royal Inn of Boise
106 Idaho 884, 684 P.2d 286 (1984) - Circle C Ranch Co. v. Jayo
104 Idaho 353, 659 P.2d 107 (1983) - Department of Employment v. Brown Brothers Const., Inc.
100 Idaho 479, 600 P.2d 783 (1979)
