Michael B. Rover

Michael B. Rover joined the Berger Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2005, and now also serves as Vice President – General Counsel. Before working at the Foundation full-time, Mike provided legal services for business and real estate transactions for its interests beginning in 2012.

Mike is instrumental in the Foundation’s strategic planning as it leverages assets for long-term gains to benefit charitable endeavors. He is a highly skilled negotiator who has navigated hundreds of acquisitions, dispositions, and leases. Mike regularly handles complex, multi-million dollar real estate transactions from the listing, letter of intent, and purchase agreement phase, to financing and debt assumption, to due diligence, pre-closing matters, and closing.

Prior to joining the Foundation’s executive team, Mike was a principal of the private law office Rover Armstrong, which he founded in 1997, originally as The Rover Law Firm, primarily practicing real estate, business, and construction law. During Mike’s 25 years in private practice, he honed business-related services including the formation and governance of corporations as well as stock transactions and asset sales. Mike’s diverse and extensive clientele also led him to litigating numerous cases involving business, real estate, contract, and construction disputes.

Mike received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of San Diego and earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. In addition, Mike’s California licenses as a contractor and real estate broker provide a keen eye for high-return investments and risk management.

Mike is the past president of the Desert Bar Association and is actively involved in numerous charitable activities that positively impact the community. It is especially meaningful to Mike that the Berger Foundation contributes about 80 percent of its grants to the community he grew up in and where he raised his own children. Mike was born and raised in Palm Desert and graduated from Indio High School. Mike and his wife DoeDee reside in Palm Desert and have four grown children.