The power-hungry ex-lawyer went over the edge and bore a hole into Christines apartment through the wall of the apartment next door. He bound and gagged Chris pal Nina and attempted to rape Christine. Paul burst in and shot Michael many times, saving Christine in the process. Michael survived and spent four years in prison for his crimes. Once paroled, he manipulated Christine into supporting his bid to be able to practice law once again after Michael donated a kidney to Chris ex-husband Danny.

Michael faced off against Christine in the courtroom when Phyllis and Danny divorced and fought for custody of Daniel. They were adversaries again when Michael represented Alice Johnson in the custody battle over Cassie Newman. After overcoming their difficulties, Michael and Christine formed a law firm, Baldwin, Williams and Associates, together. Michael genuinely fell in love with Christine and hired the unbalanced Isabella Brana to break up Chris troubled marriage to Paul Williams. Michael and Christine became engaged, but she called off the union after Michael came clean about conspiring with Isabella.

Michael has come into contact many prominent Genoa City residents in his role as an attorney. He represented Katherine Chancellor when she battled Jill Abbott for control of her family mansion, Diane Jenkins in her divorce from Victor Newman, and, more recently, Jabot Cosmetics, after the tainted cosmetics cream scandal. The barrister has had flings with best pal Phyllis Summers and Grace Turner. His developing relationship with Victoria Newman was cut short after she left town.

Initially, Michael rejected his half-brother Kevin Fisher when the troubled youth reached out to him. Michael softened to Kevins plight after Kevin was nearly beaten to death in prison. In time, Michael welcomed Kevin and their man-hungry, security-seeking mother Gloria into his home. Michael continues to be frustrated by Gloria and Kevins antics, which are often illegal.

Michael finally put some roots down after falling in love with and marrying Lauren Fenmore. After getting off to a rocky start (Lauren was kidnapped by Sheila and presumed dead during their honeymoon), Michael and Lauren became proud parents to a baby boy named Fenmore. Lauren went into labor prematurely and the baby is in ICU but they are still joyful (even with Sheila's dastardly deeds looming in Laurens mind). Not long afterwards, Sheila returned to Genoa City looking exactly like Michael's good friend Phyllis Summers (thanks to a plastic surgeon). Paul Williams and Michael teamed up to keep her locked up away from Lauren but she escaped! Sheila kidnapped Lauren, Phyllis and their babies and terrorized them before Lauren was able to tell who the real Phyllis was and shot Sheila dead.

Michael's mother Gloria began dating her dead husband William's twin brother Jeff, trying to find out how much he knew about her tampering with the Jabot cream. Michael became worried she would end up in hot water, or worse, in jail! Speaking of jail, Michael's good friend Phyllis began serving time for blackmailing Brad Carlton over his affair with Sharon Newman Abbott. Eventually, Michael worked really hard at getting an early release for Phyllis and she returned home to Nick and baby Summer.

Michael's troubled brother Kevin was almost killed by his quirky British girlfriend Jana Hawkes alongside his old nemesis Colleen Carlton when it was discovered that Jana had killed Carmen Mesta to find a treasure. Later it was revealed that Jana's erratic behavior was due to a brain tumor. At first Kevin wanted revenge but then he realized that he truly cared for her and helped her get the surgery she needed. Soon they were deeply in love. They were married at an Ashram in Malibu, California. Everyone was surprised that the minister that officiated the wedding was Michael's long lost father Lowell "River" Baldwin. Michael had a hard time getting past his residual anger over his father's abandonment of the family. River eventually followed him to Genoa City in an effort to bond with him and his family. When his checkered past came back to haunt him, River skipped town leaving his troubled teenage daughter Eden. Michael and Lauren are trying to help his half-sister Eden adjust to the family but Michael is learning how difficult that task is as he struggles with his own feelings about his father.