Profiles: Michael L. Vinson

Michael L. Vinson

JD, LLM

Professor (Retired)

The professors here at Golden Gate University are practitioners. They know how to take the theory and turn it into reality.

Michael Vinson has been an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University since 1987. He was a full-time professor and the Director of the International Tax Certificate Program from 2005 until his retirement in 2017. While a full-time professor, he was chair of the Faculty Senate and a winner of the School Service Award as voted by the faculty. He is also an adjunct professor at the Golden Gate University Law School, a Visiting Professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, and teaches for CalCPA.

Prior to joining the full-time faculty, Michael held several corporate tax positions, including Vice President of Tax at Hyperion Solutions Corporation, Director of Tax at Altera Corporation, and Tax Counsel at Apple Computer, Inc. He has been on the cutting edge in the development and application of alternate dispute resolution techniques to tax controversies. He previously served eight years as Deputy County Counsel for San Mateo County, where he obtained substantial trial and appellate litigation experience.

Vinson holds a BA in Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a JD from University of California, Hastings College of the Law (graduating Order of the Coif), and a LLM in Taxation from New York University School of Law. He is married (to a lawyer), has four children (three of whom are lawyers), and four grandchildren (one of whom he hopes will become a doctor).

Michael in one word: Eclectic

Interests & hobbies: Photography & travel

Childhood dream job: Astronaut

Guilty pleasure:Survivor

Favorite movie:My Cousin Vinnie