In 1960, after attending Woodbury College in Los Angeles, Michael joined the Percy H. Goodwin Company, a San Diego-based Insurance, Mortgage Banking and Real Estate Firm. He started in the insurance department as an underwriter, then moved into sales, and eventually was promoted to executive vice president in charge of all insurance operations. In 1974, upon the sale of the Goodwin Company, he formed the Michael Ehrenfeld Company, an insurance brokerage firm specializing in commercial and industrial risks.

Michael has served on a number of insurance industry committees and insurance company advisory councils. He also has been retained as an expert witness at trials involving coverage and professional conduct questions.

His community involvement spans four decades, including board positions with the San Diego Summer Pops, The Playwrights Project, World Affairs Council, and the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library.