Michael W. Federle - Newport, KY

Michael Federle is a lifelong Northern Kentucky attorney who has devoted more than four decades to helping individuals and families protect what they have built and plan thoughtfully for the future. He provides highly personalized counsel in estate planning, trust and probate matters, real estate, and closely held business issues, serving as a steady advisor through both routine planning and life’s most difficult transitions.

Raised in Fort Thomas and deeply rooted in the Newport community, Michael comes from a family known for its long-standing presence on Monmouth Street, where his father and grandfather operated Federle’s, a popular hardware, sundry, and toy store for several generations. Working in the family business from a young age shaped his belief that professional relationships should be built on trust, continuity, and personal service — principles that continue to define his law practice today.

Michael graduated from Highlands High School in 1974 and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky, graduating with high distinction and election to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1981 and later obtained a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in taxation from Xavier University in Cincinnati. This combined legal and tax background allows him to address not only the legal mechanics of a plan, but also its financial and practical consequences.

Over the course of his career, Michael has worked with generations of families — often advising parents, adult children, and sometimes grandchildren — on planning strategies designed to preserve assets, minimize conflict, and provide clarity when it matters most. His extensive experience in probate and post-death administration informs his planning approach, enabling him to design documents that function effectively in real-world situations, not just on paper.

Michael is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and WealthCounsel, a national organization of estate planning attorneys. Through these affiliations and ongoing professional education, he remains committed to staying current with evolving legal developments, tax law changes, and technological advances that affect modern estate planning.

His practice focuses on:

• Comprehensive estate planning
• Revocable and irrevocable trust planning
• Probate and trust administration
• Limited liability company and corporate matters

Clients value Michael’s thoughtful, measured approach and his willingness to take the time necessary to understand their goals, family dynamics, and long-term concerns. He deliberately maintains a practice that allows for personal attention and continuity of counsel rather than high-volume transactional work.

Michael and his late wife, Gail Helton — a graduate of Bellevue High School and Morehead State University — raised three daughters in Fort Thomas. They were active members of St. Catherine of Siena Parish for many years, and Michael has served on numerous community and nonprofit boards.

Outside the office, Michael remains active and engaged. He qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon in 2013 and enjoys travel, time with family, and staying connected to the Northern Kentucky community he has served throughout his career.