
Michael D. Zahler
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- New Jersey
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. Distrcit Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Education
Syracuse University, B.A., magna cum laude
Rutgers University, J.D., cum laude and Order of the Coif
Michael is a seasoned litigator who focuses his practice on trusts and estates litigation and employment litigation.
Michael regularly represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and other parties in will contests, trust matters, accounting proceedings, discovery proceedings, estate tax proceedings, and other fiduciary litigation in the New York State Surrogate’s Court and New York Appellate Courts. Michael often resolves complicated and contentious disputes through negotiation or mediation. But, when an amicable resolution cannot be reached, Michael has the experience and advocacy skills to try the case.
Michael also represents employers and management in Court, in arbitrations, and before administrative agencies on a broad array of employment-related litigation, including cases with allegations involving discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, leave and accommodation laws, restrictive covenants, and federal and state wage and hour laws. Michael also assists employers in defending class and collective actions.
Michael helps employers mitigate risk by providing counseling on workplace policies, handbooks, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, safety and health compliance, drug and alcohol testing, wage and hour laws, worker classification, and discipline and discharge. Michael is a frequent lecturer on a wide range of labor and employment topics for various groups, including presenting on sexual harassment prevention at the annual conference of the Associated General Contractors of New York, wage and hour laws at the annual conference of the New York State Society for Human Resource Management, and New York Forward Reopening Guidance to the New York State Bar Association, the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Michael has also written on a wide range of topics including worker classification, COVID-19 related whistleblower claims, and business owner liability for wage claims.
Honors
- Listed, Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Employment Litigation: Defense) 2019 - 2023
- Listed, New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2016 - 2018
- Morris Gann Prize for Greatest Achievement in Evidence
Experience
- Hodgson Russ Attorneys Michael D. Zahler and Christian J. Soller Obtain Summary Judgment in Favor of Construction Client
- Litigation Recovers Over $1 Million In Rent Diverted From Estate
- Litigation Recovers “Gift” Of Approximately $500,000
- Michael D. Zahler wins arbitration award of more than $25 Million in favor of clients
In the News
- The Saratogian, October 13, 2020
- Times-Union, October 9, 2020
Press Releases
- August 23, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 23, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, September 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, December 20, 2019
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, October 3, 2023
- Hodgson Russ LLP Labor & Employment Alert, September 28, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Occupational Safety & Health Act Alert, August 8, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert , July 6, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert , June 28, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, May 16, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert , April 26, 2023
- March 9, 2023
- March 7, 2023
- February 28, 2023
- February 22, 2023
- February 21, 2023
- February 17, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, February 7, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Non-Compete, Non-Solicit, and Trade Secrets Alert, January 6, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 28, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 27, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, November 28, 2022
- U.S. Department of Labor Proposes New Independent Contractor Rule for Federal Wage and Hour PurposesHodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert , October 26, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert , October 24, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert , October 21, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert , October 21, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, May 17, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, May 16, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Product Liability & Complex Tort Alert, May 10, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, May 6, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy & Municipal Alert, May 3, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, April 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, April 5, 2022
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Healthcare Alert, March 28, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 23, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, February 25, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, February 25, 2022
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Labor & Employment Alert, February 18, 2022
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Labor & Employment Alert, January 14, 2022
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Labor & Employment Alert, January 12, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, January 5, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, January 4, 2022
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Labor & Employment Alert, December 23, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 20, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Labor & Employment Alert, December 20, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 8, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Labor & Employment Alert, December 8, 2021
- New York Requires Private Employers to Notify Employees of Telephone, Email, and Internet MonitoringHodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 6, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 3, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, November 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, November 15, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, November 8, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, November 5, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Healthcare and Labor & Employment Alert, November 5, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp and Labor & Employment Alert, November 4, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Healthcare and Labor & Employment Alert, November 2, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, October 29, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, October 26, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, September 21, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, September 10, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, September 7, 2021
- Labor and Employment Alert, July 19, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, July 1, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, June 15, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 15, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor and Employment Alert, May 13, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, April 27, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor and Employment Alert, April 5, 2021
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, March 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, March 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor and Employment Alert, March 15, 2021
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, March 11, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, January 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Securities/Directors & Officers Litigation Alert, December 18, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 18, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, December 3, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, November 2, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, October 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, October 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor and Employment Alert , October 21, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, September 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, August 17, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, August 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, July 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, July 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, June 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Alert, June 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 18, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Securities/Directors & Officers Litigation Alert, June 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, June 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, June 15, 2020
- Hodgson Russ OSHA Alert, June 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Class Action Litigation Alert, May 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, May 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, May 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy and Construction Alert, May 15, 2020
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Business Litigation Alert, May 13, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, April 28, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Intellectual Property Litigation Alert, April 27, 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 Labor & Employment Alert, April 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 9, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Construction Alert, April 9, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, April 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Practice Alert, April 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment and OSHA Alert, April 2, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Construction Alert , March 27, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 26, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 25, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Tax and Labor & Employment Alert, March 24, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 19, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 19, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 18, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Non-Compete, Non-Solicit & Trade Secrets Alert, March 12, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, February 3, 2020
Presentations & Events
- Buffalo Marriott Niagara 1340 Millersport Hwy, Amherst, NY 14221, November 8, 2023
- Buffalo Marriott Niagara 1340 Millersport Hwy, Amherst, NY 14221, January 12, 2023
- Annual Conference of the State University of New York Auxiliary Services Association, January 5, 2023
- Albany Capital Center, April 28, 2022
- October 23, 2021
- December 21, 2020
- July 8, 2020
- June 10, 2020
- June 9, 2020
- May 29, 2020
- March 23, 2020
Professional Associations
- New York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section
- Albany County Bar Association
- Society for Human Resource Management
Community & Pro Bono
- Leadership Tech Valley - Class of 2020
- Albany Institute of History and Art, Trustee