
Michael B. Risman
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
Boston University, B.A., Magna Cum Laude
University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D.
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.
Honors
- Listed, Buffalo Business First Who's Who in Law, 2004 & 2007-10
- Buffalo Business First's 40 Under Forty Award, 1996
Experience
- $3 Million Judgment in Municipal Labor Dispute Reversed in Favor of Client on Appeal
- Appellate Division Rejects Claims of Telecommunication Companies Seeking Real Property Tax Exemptions
- Dismissal of First Amendment Retaliation Lawsuit Related to High-Profile Murder Case
- Federal Judge Dismisses Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Favor of Hodgson Russ Client
- For New York State Town, Hodgson Russ Wins Federal Appeal
- Resounding Success for Hodgson Russ Before the New York Court of Appeals
- Successful Defense of Municipality in Action Alleging False Arrest
- Successful Representation of City Housing Authority in Employment Lawsuit
- Tax Refund Denial Benefits Multiple Municipalities and Public Entities
- Victory for Town Has Statewide Implications for Challenges to Real Property Assessments
In the News
- The Buffalo News, June 11, 2020
- Law360, May 18, 2020
- Buffalo News, March 20, 2020
- NYCOM Municipal Matters, June 17, 2019
- New York Law Journal, December 13, 2018
- WGRZ, May 16, 2012
- Buffalo News, February 7, 2012
- WNY’s Legal Pulse: Our Who’s Who Take Questions on Economy, Practice TodayBuffalo Law Journal, September 2009
- September 12, 2008
- January 18, 2007
- April 28, 2006
- Longtime City Counsel Joins Hodgson RussBuffalo Business First, April 28, 2006
Press Releases
- Press Release, September 4, 2014
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 9, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, March 8, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, February 22, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, February 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert , December 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, September 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, August 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, August 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, June 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Alert, June 22, 2020
- Municipalities Hit with Deluge of FOIL Requests After Repeal of Section 50-a of the Civil Rights LawHodgson Russ Municipal Alert, June 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Public Authority Alert, June 9, 2020
- Governor Cuomo’s Latest Executive Order Extends Deadlines to Submit Absentee Ballots for School VoteHodgson Russ Education Alert, June 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, June 5, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, May 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, May 13, 2020
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Business Litigation Alert, May 13, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, May 5, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, May 2, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation and Securities Regulation & Corporate Compliance Alert, April 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 15, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, April 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, April 10, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 9, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education, Municipal & Public Finance Alert, April 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, April 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Public Authority Alert, April 3, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Practice Alert, April 3, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Public Finance Alert, April 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert , March 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, March 30, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 30, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 17, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, January 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, October 21, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Municipal, Real Property Tax Assessment, and Telecommunications Alert, September 20, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, June 14, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Law Alert, May 22, 2019
- Municipal Law Alert, February 27, 2019
- Real Property Tax Assessment & Eminent Domain Alert, February 11, 2019
- Municipal Law Alert, February 4, 2019
- Gaming Alert, January 22, 2019
- Agriculture Alert, November 6, 2018
- Municipal Law Alert, July 26, 2018
Presentations & Events
- January 15, 22, and 29
- Lake Placid, New York, September 24, 2019
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225, May 16, 2019
- Cooperstown, New York, May 7, 2019
- Millennium Hotel Buffalo, January 18, 2019
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225, May 17, 2018
- Rosie O'Grady's, 800 7th Avenue (Corner of 52nd Street), New York, NY 10019, February 18, 2018
- Cheektowaga, New York, January 13, 2017
- Buffalo, NY, June 23, 2016
- Cheektowaga, NY, May 17, 2016
- Buffalo, NY, March 6, 2013
- Buffalo, NY, May 22, 2014
- Buffalo, NY, April 30, 2014
- February 18, 2014
- Buffalo, NY, May 16, 2013
- Buffalo, NY, November 2, 2012
- February 2012
- Cheektowaga, NY, May 12, 2011
- March 1, 2011
- Buffalo, NY, January 14, 2011
- Cheektowaga, NY, May 26, 2010
- Buffalo, NY, May 5, 2009
- Buffalo, NY, January 9, 2009
- Buffalo, NY, 2007
Professional Associations
- 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
- Associate member, New York State Assessors Association
Community & Pro Bono
- Town attorney for the Town of Niagara since 2006
- Legal counsel, North Buffalo Community Development Corporation