Draft:Michael Jonas (Candidate for Congress in Oregon's 3rd District)

Early Life & Education
Michael Jonas was born in northern Los Angeles County, California. During his high school years, he actively participated in various extracurricular activities, including Speech and Debate, Mock Trial, Theatre Club, and Key Club, a community service organization. His primary commitment was Speech and Debate, where he served as president during his junior and senior years. In his senior year, he also participated in DECA, a business competition group, and achieved success at both the state and national levels.

At the end of high school, Michael received the "Gift of the Gab" award for best speaker in Mock Trial and Speech and Debate of his graduating class. He was also awarded a lifetime membership into the National Forensics League, a speaking association.

Michael went on to graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During his time at UCSB, he was actively involved with the school's Hillel, a pluralistic Jewish organization, where he served as an event programmer and Fundraising Chair. He also had the opportunity to attend the Spitzer Forum in Washington, D.C., where college students from across the nation discussed pressing societal issues.

Career and Education Achievements
After completing his undergraduate education, Michael gained valuable experience in various fields, including business, communications, and nonprofit work. He worked in several restaurants, interned at an advertising firm, and was part of the marketing and promotions department of a corporate radio-station company. He later worked as a job coach for disabled adults and as a fundraising Campaign Executive for the United Way of Santa Barbara County, promoting social progress through community collaboration.

Michael pursued a law degree at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California. During his time there, he served as President of the Public Interest Law Foundation and actively participated in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) competitions. He also mediated numerous small-claims court cases through the Superior Court's Small Claims Mediation Program.

Throughout his academic and professional journey, Michael specialized in various areas of law, including contracts, property, health, disability, immigration, housing, the environment, and entertainment. He was an active member of his law school's Environmental and Entertainment Law societies.

After law school, Michael gained experience in conflict resolution, real estate transactions, and intellectual property. He founded Great Resolutions Achieve Social Progress (GRASP) Mediation, where he mediated various disputes, provided conflict-resolution seminars, and maintained community involvement.

Current Endeavors
Michael is the founder and owner of Rational Unicorn Legal Services PC, a law firm where he combines his legal skills with his passion for community building. He is committed to helping people achieve their goals through honest and community-focused legal services.

In addition to his professional work, Michael dedicates his time to volunteering with several nonprofit organizations and serves on multiple nonprofit boards. He also serves as an advisory board member for Benefit Corporations for Good, a company that certifies socially responsible companies as “benefit companies."

In early August 2021, Michael earned an Executive Masters in Business Administration from Quantic, with a focus on social justice and social enterprise. He is determined to use his position to promote diversity and inclusion in the business world and advocate for people and the environment.

On January 5, 2024, Michael announced his candidacy for Congress in Oregon's 3rd District, running with the campaign slogan "Love, Science, Plans, and Action." He is enthusiastic about discussing his law firm and community-building efforts on the campaign trail.

Michael also hosts and co-produces the podcast "All of Your Business," which is not affiliated with Rational Unicorn Legal Services PC. In his free time, he enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with his husband, Andy, and their dogs, Edison and Ginsburg.