About Michael
Michael Ortlieb took a winding path to the law. He began college pursuing pre-med studies at St. Norbert College in 1988, then shifted his attention to psychology and behavioral science, earning a B.A. from Cedarville University in 1992. After several years, he returned to school for law and received his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 2006.
His legal career has been rooted in New England. He is admitted to practice in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Soon after finishing law school he joined the firm that would become central to his professional life. He has served as a partner at Simmons and Ortlieb, PLLC since 2008, a role that has placed him in the middle of the firm’s day-to-day work and long-term decisions.
Colleagues describe him as steady in counsel and practical in approach. He balances client work with firm responsibilities. That means managing cases, advising clients, and helping to shape firm strategy. He also supervises younger lawyers and staff, guiding them through case preparation and courtroom procedures. Those duties require judgment and an ability to shift between detailed legal work and broader business choices.
Ortlieb’s background in psychology is a thread that appears in his professional manner. He listens closely and frames legal issues in terms that clients can understand. He brings that perspective into negotiations and court appearances alike. He prefers clear explanations over jargon. That style can make complex matters more accessible to people who are new to the legal process.
Outside the office he keeps a low public profile. There are no widely publicized cases or academic appointments tied to his name in public records. His career has been steady rather than flashy. He has focused on building practical legal skills and managing client matters across two state bars.
Today he works from the offices of Simmons and Ortlieb, PLLC. He divides his practice between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, advising and representing clients in matters that arise in those states. He currently practices as a partner at Simmons and Ortlieb, PLLC, representing clients in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
