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Summary
Civil litigator concentrating almost exclusively in personal injury litigation.
Education
- Middlebury College
- M.A. / Spanish
- Syracuse University College of Law
- J.D. (1993)
- -
- Graduated in top 5% of class.
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, Justinian Society, Scribes Award for outstanding legal writing, Law Review
- Activities: Associate Editor for Law Review.
Professional Experience
- Michaels & Smolak
- Current
- Law Clerk
- New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division Fourth Department
- -
- Researched and wrote reports, with recommendations, for the appellate justices regarding the appeals to be decided
Publications
Articles & Publications
- Several Articles on Personal Injury Litigation in New York
- New York State Trial Lawyers Institute
- New York State Bar Association Personal Injury Treatise: Chapter on Municipal Liability
- New York State Bar Association
- Suits against Public Entities for Injury or Wrongful Death
- New York State Bar Journal
- Flores v. Meese: Playing Hide and Seek with the Right to Physical Freedom
- Syracuse Law Review
Awards
- Citizen of the Year
- Geneva Area Chambre of Commerce
- Was honored as Citizen of the Year in the City of Geneva, New York (place of residence) for years of service on several not-for-profit boards and for providing regular free legal assistance in Spanish to Hispanic farm workers and for volunteer work with the children of the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva.
- Received an “AV” rating
- Martindale–Hubbell Law Directory
- Super Lawyer
- Law & Politics Magazine
- The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
- Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
Professional Associations
- Elite personal injury Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Member
- Current
- Boys & Girls Club of Geneva, NY
- President
- - Current
- Activities: Has served on this Board since 2006, has served as vice-president and president, and as a regular volunteer to take the children skating, swimming, and to other after school activities.
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Member
- - Current
- YMCA of Auburn, NY
- President
- - Current
- Activities: Has served on this Board since 1998, and is currently its president.
- Farmworkers' Legal Services of NY
- Board Member and Secretary
- - Current
- Activities: Has served on the board of this not-for-profit since 1998 -- provides free legal services to disadvantaged farm workers, who are mostly Hispanic immigrants.
- Ontario County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Onondaga County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Cayuga County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- American Institute for Justice
- Member
- - Current
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- Member
- - Current
- New York State Bar # 2578953
- Member
- - Current
- Human Rights Commission of Geneva, NY
- Chair
- -
- Activities: Served on this Commission for 3 years and as its Chair for 2 years - the Commission provides free legal help to victims of discrimination, and provides education about discrimination, in Geneva, New York.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- 2nd Circuit
- Federal Circuit
Fees
- Free Consultation
- Contingent Fees
- Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
generally 1/3 contingency fee
Practice Areas
- Legal Malpractice
- Medical Malpractice
- Personal Injury
- Products Liability
Additional Practice Areas
- Car Accidents
- General Negligence
- Premises Liability
- Wrongful Death
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
- French: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
Social Media
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Michael Bersani's Website Profile
- Website
- Michaels & Smolak Website
- Blog
- Central New York Injury Lawyer Blog
How Does a New York Personal Injury Lawsuit Work?
Michaels & Smolak - CNY Injury LawyersContact & Map
