Michael B. Risman

Mike has more than 30 years of experience representing municipalities in a broad array of litigation and subject matters. For the past eight years, Mike has been a partner in Hodgson Russ’s Business Litigation Practice, focusing on municipal litigation. Previously, Mike served as corporation counsel for the City of Buffalo  from 1997 to 2006. This extensive experience provided Mike with broad knowledge of the legal issues facing municipalities. His experience in government enables Mike to assist public officials and attorneys with strategies for dealing with complex issues that arise, while his strong problem-solving advice and firm understanding of municipal procedures and issues enable him to successfully assist public officials and entities in cost-efficient and practical ways. His experience encompasses a wide array of municipal issues.

Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, Mike served as corporation counsel for the City of Buffalo. As head of the department of law, he served as chief counsel for the City of Buffalo, the mayor, Buffalo Common Council, the Buffalo Board of Education, and other municipal entities and public officials. He directed the city's litigation in all areas, and was involved in many complex economic, real estate development, and other projects for the city. Mike is also an adjunct lecturer on municipal law at University at Buffalo School of Law.

• Listed, Buffalo Business First Who's Who in Law, 2004 & 2007-10
• Buffalo Business First's 40 Under Forty Award, 1996

• Chair, Bar Association of Erie County Municipal Law and School Law Committees, 2010-2017
• Erie County Charter Revision Commission
• Niagara Frontier Corporate Counsel Association

• New York State Bar Association

• Town attorney for the Town of Niagara since 2006
• Legal counsel, North Buffalo Community Development Corporation