Michael recently retired from Smith Sovik after almost forty years at the firm.  He had his first jury trial to verdict two weeks after being sworn in to practice law back in 1980. This began a four-year career as a prosecutor in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office Felony Trial Unit. During that time, he tried over 40 jury trials to verdict. Since then, Michael has practiced law exclusively with the firm, concentrating in the fields of medical malpractice (including appearances before state licensing and disciplinary boards), professional malpractice (including attorneys, engineers and architects), products liability, employment litigation, municipal defense and trucking industry litigation.  Mike has also defended a number of nursing home facilities and fraternities and sororities in tort claims brought against them.  His pro bono work has been assisting local parents finalize their international adoptions and he has also worked with Vera House (home for abused women).

Michael lectures frequently on litigation related matters for the New York State and Onondaga County Bar Associations and has been published on the topic of “Summation” by the State Bar Association and the New York State Bar Journal.

Michael is “A” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, a member of the Transportation Lawyers Association and has been listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” continuously since 2008.  In March 2008, Michael was elected to membership in the American College of Legal Medicine.  Since 2007, he has consistently been included in Upstate New York State Super Lawyers list for Professional Malpractice Defense and in 2010 was recognized on the list as one of the Top 50 Upstate New York lawyers for Professional Malpractice Defense.