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Michael is a Partner in the firmโs Litigation Department, where he focuses on commercial, probate, construction, and maritime litigation.
He has prosecuted and defended cases in the federal, state, and appellate courts of New York and Connecticut, as well as numerous New York Surrogateโs Court proceedings. He has also represented clients in domestic and international arbitrations and has argued before New Yorkโs appellate courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
In the probate context, Michael typically represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries in disputes involving alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, disputed accountings, and will and trust contests. Mike also represents businesses, underwriters, and individuals in a wide range of litigation matters involving contract, product liability, and personal injury claims.
Michael is admitted to practice in New York, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., and in several federal courts. He is a member of the New York Bar Association, the New York City Bar Association, the U.S. Maritime Law Association, and the Association of Average Adjusters of the United States and Canada.
Michael received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. He graduated Pi Sigma Alpha and Theta Alpha Kappa in political science and religious studies from the College of the Holy Cross. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Sri Lanka and is conversational in Sinhala.
Education
- Fordham University School of Law (J.D., 2009)
- College of The Holy Cross (B.A., 2003)
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Experience
Michaelโs litigation and arbitration experience includes:
- Investigation, prosecution, defense, and resolution of numerous high stakes trusts and estate proceedings.
- Fiduciary litigation engagements throughout New Yorkโs Supreme and Surrogateโs Courts involving allegations of undue influence, incapacity, and fiduciary misconduct, including contested accountings, disputed guardianships, and will contests.
- Engagements by high-net-worth individuals, closely held and family businesses, and charitable organizations for pre- and post-litigation advice and dispute resolution.
- Representation of trust beneficiary in New York Supreme Court action compelling discretionary trust distribution.
- Prosecution and defense of foreign judgment recognition actions in New York state and federal courts.
- Defense of life insurance trust fiduciaries defeating claims for reimbursement of premium under split-dollar insurance contracts.
- Defense of recreational and commercial marine companies, manufacturers, and youth organizations in claims for alleged personal injuries.
- Defense of multinational manufacturers in actions involving claims for asbestos exposure.
- Actions by trust beneficiaries under New Yorkโs Prudent Investor Act.
- Resolution of foundationโs claims to authoritative biographical works of Pablo Picasso under art scholarโs testamentary estate.
- Dismissal of a ship ownerโs claim under a war risk insurance policy endorsement that a vessel detained by Libyan authorities constituted a total loss.