Under Oath: Michael Dayton

 

Known for his steady counsel and deeply personal approach to client service, Michael J. Dayton serves as a trusted advisor to businesses navigating complex transitions and strategic growth. From mergers and acquisitions to succession planning and corporate governance, he combines practical legal insight with a genuine investment in his clients’ long-term success. Beyond his legal practice, Michael is equally passionate about community leadership, education, and helping others find solutions both inside and outside the firm.

 

Q: Who is your role model and why?

 

MD: My role model is Coach Bob Brown, who led the track and cross-country programs at Iowa City Regina. He was one of those early educators/coaches that so frequently change the lives of youth. Coach Brown was more than just a legendary coach with prolonged success; he was a man of character and a master of building character through consistency. His motto was: "Nothing but your best". He taught me that excellence is about the integrity of your effort when no one is watching. I carry his lesson that if you invest sincerely in the people around you, success naturally follows. And his actions and words taught me the power of seeing positive things in others when perhaps they don’t see those things in themselves.

Q: What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

 

MD: For about 18 months before I went to law school I worked as a milieu treatment counselor at a facility that provides residential treatment for children with complex emotional and behavioral challenges. Dealing daily with children in crisis—managing physically and emotionally exhausting situations—was incredibly taxing. It requires a level of patience, empathy, and resilience that most people rarely have to tap into; and I certainly did not have those traits or skills as a 22-year-old. I lasted all of 18 months (really only about 6 months if you consider when I must have decided to apply to law school). Folks frequently warn how grueling the academic workload at law school is, but after working in that sort of environment, studying case law felt like a fairly easy endeavor. Law school required long hours, but I wasn't responsible for a child's immediate safety and well-being. That perspective for the most part remains with me today; it’s why I can (usually) stay calm and clear-headed in negotiations.

 

Q: Tell us about something outside of work that brings you joy?

 

MD: Definitely my family. In the stages of life, my wife Melanie (20-year anniversary this year) and I are in the pre-empty-nest phase. We have two high school daughters at home, but we rarely see them. And we have a daughter who got married last summer and lives in Indiana. So, mostly I hang out with my dog Ranger, and enjoy having conversations and dinners with Melanie as we discuss what the next stage of life might look like.

 

Q: How do you unwind/relax?

MD: I stay involved in local leadership, community boards, and community service, such as through the Des Moines AM Rotary Club. While it’s "work" in one sense, these activities are how I recharge my sense of purpose. I also am a voracious reader; though admittedly it is usually a young adult fiction book in my hands. I also love watching my sports teams – though that is not relaxing.

 
Q: What are some of the things you enjoy about being involved with in your community?

MD: I enjoy the tangible impact of service, particularly through my work with The Ray Center at Drake University (home of Character Counts) and the Des Moines AM Rotary Club. The Ray Center improves civility through character development and ethical leadership, positively affecting educators, schools, workplaces, and community and government leaders. These efforts have reached thousands of students, improving school climate, reducing behavioral issues, and fostering civic engagement through service-learning projects tied to core ethical values. In Uganda, the Des Moines AM Rotary Club has partnered with local stakeholders to plan, fund, and construct the Kikandwa Clinic, significantly expanding access to essential healthcare in a previously underserved rural area. The clinic now provides maternal care and treatment for common illnesses, reducing travel distances, improving health outcomes for surrounding villages, and creating a meaningful economic impact in the area.

 

Q: What issues are passions for you?

MD: Most of them. To give you a sense, I get passionate about anything that affects any humans, especially those without access. I am particularly passionate about education. I grew up in Iowa at a time where the American Dream felt available. My grandparents (who did not have access to education beyond high school) and parents (who were first generation college students) empha

sized education. I still believe that the American Dream is achievable through education, including our public education system. I believe that a person who is able to have a well-rounded education, especially at the college level, is going to have more agency in their life because of what they’re exposed to. College is not necessarily for everyone, and the purpose of school is not limited merely to educational advancement; but every high school should provide the tools for individuals to go to college, and every child who wants to go to college should be able to do so.

 

Q: Why did you decide to practice law?

MD: With a background in psychology, philosophy, and social work, I’ve always been driven by a desire to solve complex problems and serve the community. Law provides a unique intersection where intellectual rigor meets practical service, allowing me to help business leaders navigate the challenges that matter most to their livelihoods.

 

Q: What is your “elevator pitch” for the work that you do?

MD: Come to me for literally anything that requires assistance or a solution in your work or your life – and I will either help directly or find the right person, within our firm or outside our firm, who can help. No matter the concern, I am here to help.

 

With respect to my day-to-day, I serve as a trusted outside general counsel for sophisticated clients, leading a robust M&A practice that guides businesses through their most critical transitions. Whether it’s succession planning, corporate governance, or complex technology contracts, I provide steady, reasoned legal strategy that helps organizations scale and succeed.

 

Q: What is one thing about Nyemaster that everyone should know?

MD: We offer a "one-stop shop" experience where specialists from different departments collaborate seamlessly. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that our clients get comprehensive, high-level expertise for every facet of their legal needs under one roof.

 

Q: Why do clients come to you?

 

MD: Clients often describe my approach as steady, consistent, and genuine. I don’t just produce work; I invest myself in their mission, taking a sincere interest in their long-term success and providing tailored solutions that reflect a deep understanding of their specific industry.

Q: What achievement in your legal career makes you the proudest?

MD: I am most proud of the long-term relationships I’ve built with clients, most of whom I call friends.

 

Q: What was your dream job as a kid? Is being a lawyer anything like it?

MD: Major League Baseball player, specifically for the Chicago Cubs. Though that is nothing like being a lawyer, at some point my dream job changed from playing for the Cubs to managing the Cubs. Being a business lawyer is similar to managing a club – or at least takes some of the same skills – building and managing a team, and coaching and counseling clients through strategic decisions.