Michael concentrates his practice in construction and surety law, representing developers, contractors, subcontractors and sureties. He effectively handles all aspects of civil litigation, whether at the pleadings, discovery, appellate or trial stages. Michael has over 18 years of construction experience, including drafting and negotiating construction and subcontract agreements, representing public contractors in alternative dispute resolution proceedings with the City of New York and other New York State agencies, including drafting Notices of Disputes and Notices of Claims and presentations to various city and state agencies. He also practices contract maintenance support to ensure compliance with contractual notice and documentation requirements. Michael also negotiates alleged wage and supplemental benefits underpayments with the New York State Department of Labor, various New York City agencies and local unions. Michael is also adept at all facets of drafting and foreclosing of mechanic’s liens for public and private improvement. Part of Michael’s practice also includes commercial transactions and real property transactions, including, but not limited to, sales, leases and license agreements with adjoining owners during construction.

• Cruise Terminal, Bayonne, New Jersey
• Parking Garage, Bayonne, New Jersey
• Contract administration and claims with various New York City agencies, including, but not limited to, New York City Housing Authority, New York City School Construction Authority and New York City Department of Design and Construction
• Contract administration and claims with various New York State agencies, including, but not limited to,  New York State Office of General Services, New York State Department of Transportation, Long Island Railroad and Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Commercial leases in New York City
• Office fit-outs in New York City
• Various schools in New York City and Long Island
• Private residential construction in New York City and Long Island
• Private commercial construction in New York City and Long Island
• Private mixed-use development in New York City and Long Island

Articles

• Construction Project Electronic Communications – November 2014
• New York City Paid Sick Leave Law: Contractors Must Comply – October 2014
• Additional Insured Coverage Cannot be a Blanket Endorsement (February 2017)
• Be Careful What Documents You Sign (April 2016)
• Beware of Bidding Miscues (September 2019)
• Beware of What You Waive When You Are Reserving Claims (December 2015)
• Carefully Review All Construction Documents Before Commencing Work (July 2016) 
• Certificates of Insurance Do Not Ensure Coverage (January 2017)
• City of New Yorks Delay Damage Initiative Does Not Provide Damages for 3rd Party-Caused Delays (September 2018) 
• Commercial General Liability Does Not Cover Breach of Contract Damages (January 2018) 
• Contractors Delay Claim Can Proceed Notwithstanding a No-Damage-For-Delay Clause in Contract (December 2019) 
• Contractual Limitation Period Shortens Time To Enforce Mechanic's Lien Rights (May 2017) 
• Damages Are Ascertainable After Completion of Work or Upon Substantial Completion (July 2017) 
• Ensure That You Receive Additional Insured Coverage (August 2016) 
• Exceptions To No-Damage-For-Delay Clause Further Limited (March 2016) 
• Hidden Releases In Change Orders (February 2016) 
• Improperly Served Lien Discharged (March 2019) 
• Insurance Coverage That Does Not Cover (January 2016) 
• Lapsed Liens Cannot Be Revived (May 2016) 
• Limited Right of Lien on Condominiums and Individual Condo Units (October 2018) 
• Not all Labor Materials and Equipment are Lienable (April 2018) 
• Notice of Extra Work Required Even When Public Owner Offers to Make Partial Payment on Proposed Change Order (September 2017)
• Owner Required to Arbitrate Under New Yorks Prompt Payment Act (July 2019)
• Owner- Directed Changes Do Not Convert A Contract Into a Performance Specification Contract (March 2017)
• Owner's Consent to Improvements Can Be Inferred from the Lease (December 2018)
• Owner's Declaration of Substantial Completion is a Condition Precedent to Accrual of a Claim (July 2018)
• Pay-When-Paid Clause in Subcontract Cannot Be a Condition Precedent to Payment (May 2019)
• Payment Bond Claim Partially Paid (October 2016)
• Private Improvement on Public Land (December 2016)
• Private Improvement on Public Land (November 2016)
• Prompt Payment Act (June 2016)
• Prompt Payment Acts Arbitration Requirement Cannot Be Avoided by Subcontract Terms (February 2019)
• Public Improvement Lien With Misdescription of Project Found Defective (September 2016)
• Second Mechanic’s Lien Timely Filed – 4 Years Later (October 2017)
• Statutory and Contractual Limitation Periods Can be Tolled by Agreement (November 2017)
• Subcontractors Lien Only Attaches to Lien Fund Due to Construction Manager (February 2020)
• The Lien Law Is Not Read Into a Private Contract (May 2018)
• Third-Party Beneficiary Rights In Construction Contracts Must Be In Writing (March 2018)
• Trust Fund Beneficiary Entitled to a Verified Statement of Trust Funds (August 2017)
• Trust Fund Diversion Presumed (November 2015)
• Waiver Language in Extension of Time Request Results in Waiver of Pending Claim (June 2017)

Presentations

• Construction in the Digital Ages, February 2013
• Insurance and Construction, May 2015
• Prevailing Wage and Contract Best Practices, March 2023

• NY State Bar Association
• Building Contractors’ Association
• Subcontractors’ Trade Association