Michael B. Powers

• Appellate
• Commercial Litigation
  • Breach of Contract
  • Business Torts
  • Fraud/RICO
  • Lender Liability Litigation
  • Machinery/Technology Warranties
  • Real Estate Litigation
  • Workplace Fraud/Unfair Competition
• Construction Litigation
• Food & Beverage
• Government Operations
• Insurance Coverage
• Manufacturing
• Personal Injury Defense Litigation
  • Premises Liability
  • Vehicle Accidents
  • Workplace Accidents
  • Wrongful Death
• Product Liability and Mass Tort Litigation
  • Chemical Exposure/Toxic Torts
  • Consumer Products

• New York
• State of California Superior Court, Tulare County Pro Hac Vice
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
• U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of California Pro Hac Vice
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana Pro Hac Vice
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania Pro Hac Vice
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin Pro Hac Vice
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

• Listed as a Leading Individual in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2015-2017
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America^©
• Selected for the Upstate New York Super Lawyers^® list, 2007-2022
• Clarence Chamber of Commerce, Citizen of the Year, 2013
• FBI Agents Association, Character and Service Alumni Award, 2013
• Henry J. Kreher Conservation Award, 2013
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York, Inc., Shooting Star Award, 2005
• St. Bonaventure University, Gaudete Medal, 2006
• Leadership Buffalo Values Award, Openness to Change Award, 2007
• Working for Downtown, Membership Recognition Award, 2007
• Clarence High School Wall of Fame, 2013
• Listed in Who’s Who In Law, Business First of Buffalo and Buffalo Law Journal

• Western New England College School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1982
• Niagara University, M.A., 1979
• St. Bonaventure University, B.A., 1975

• Confidential Law Clerk to Senior Associate Judge Matthew J. Jasen, New York Court of Appeals, 1982-1984

• Bar Association of Erie County, Former Director; Past Chairman Appellate Practice Committee; Past Chairman Judiciary Committee
• Clarence Chamber of Commerce
• The Historical  Society of the Courts of the State of New York
• New York State Bar Association
• Safari Club International, Western and Central New York Chapter, Inc.
• Society of FBI Alumni, Buffalo Chapter

Mr. Powers has tried various matters in New York State, Federal, County, City and Justice Courts and in Federal Courts in New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.

• Rich Products Corp. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., New York State Supreme Court; obtained $21.3 million verdict, 2002
• Century Graphics Corporation v. Harris Graphics Corp. and Harris Corp., Case No. 86-5375, Hon. Martin L.C. Feldman, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
• U.S. Concord, Inc. v. Harris Graphics Corp., Case No. C89-4003SAW, Hon. Stanley A. Weigel, United States District Court, Northern District of California
• Triangle Circuits, Inc. v. Control Techniques Drives, Inc., Case No. 95-1887, Hon. Gary L. Lancaster, United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania

• Huron Group, Inc. v. Pataki, 5 Misc. 3d 648, 785 N.Y.S.2d 827 (2004), aff’d, 23 A.D.3d 1051, 803 N.Y.S.2d 465 (4th Dep’t 2005)
• Giambra v. New York State Thruway Authority, No. 06-0002172 (Sup. Ct., Erie Co. 2006)
• Schafler v. HSBC Bank USA, 23 A.D.3d 1083, 803 N.Y.S.2d 924 (4th Dep’t 2005)
• Catalano v. Marine Midland Bank, 303 A.D.2d 617, 756 N.Y.S.2d 770 (2d Dep’t 2003)
• Felle v. W.W. Grainger, Inc., 302 A.D.2d 971, 755 N.Y.S.2d 535 (4th Dep’t 2003)
• Marine Midland Associates L.P. v. HSBC Bank USA, 1 Misc. 3d 912(A), 781 N.Y.S.2d 625 (2003), aff’d, 13 A.D.2d 1234, 787 N.Y.S.2d 194 (4th Dep’t 2004)
• Herman v. Marine Midland Bank, 207 F.R.D. 26 (W.D.N.Y. 2002)
• People v. Whipple, 97 N.Y.2d 1, 760 N.E.2d 337, 734 N.Y.S.2d 549 (2001)
• People v. Hernandez, 70 N.Y.2d 833, 517 N.E.2d 1328, 523 N.Y.S.2d 442 (1987)
• People v. Shaffer, 66 N.Y.2d 663, 486 N.E.2d 823, 495 N.Y.S.2d 965 (1985)
• People v. Snyder, 129 Misc. 2d 137, 492 N.Y.S.2d 890 (1985)

• Town Justice, Clarence, New York
• The Historical Society of the New York Courts
  • Board of Trustees, Trustee Emeritus
  • Programs Committee, Chair
• St. Bonaventure University, Member Gaudete Award Committee
• Clarence Recreation Advisory Committee, Greenprint Land Conservation Project, Co-Founder
• Western New York Land Conservancy
• National Rifle Association
• Safari Club International

• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York, Inc.; Legal Counsel; Chairman Galas 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• Phillips Lytle Leadership Council, Public Affairs, Co-Chair
• Erie County Sheriff’s 21st Century Foundation, Board of Directors and Treasurer
• Erie County Republican Committee, Vice Chairman
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York, Inc.; Former Member of the Board of Directors
• Buffalo Inner Harbor Development Corp./Bass Pro Outdoor World, Liaison, 2005
• YMCA of Greater Buffalo, Board of Directors; Past Chairman, Partner With Youth Campaign; Past Chairman, Toast of Buffalo Annual Dinner
• United Way of Buffalo and Erie County – 2002 Campaign, Attorneys Division, Co-Chair
• Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Chairman Legal Division Fund Drive, 2000
• Erie County Environmental Management Council, Chairman, 2000-2004
• Erie County Environmental Education Institute, Former Director
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Western New York/Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, Former Director
• Clarence Little League Football Assn., Founder and Past Commissioner
• Welland and Lime Lake Water Ski Clubs
• Coalition of Food Industry Counsel, Founding Member