Mike focuses his practice on commercial litigation, real estate and land use litigation, recreational cannabis licensing, and appellate matters. Mike has guided clients through all stages of litigation, from initial pleadings to discovery and settlement or trial. His experience includes business disputes, contract disputes, real estate disputes, and prerogative writs matters defending or challenging land use approvals.
Mike has also assisted clients in obtaining Class 5 Recreational Cannabis Retail licenses from the State of New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) and local cannabis licenses through municipal applications and competitive RFP processes.
Prior Experience
During law school, Mike gained valuable experience interning for the late Hon. Carol E. Higbee, J.A.D., and the Hon. Bernard DeLury, P.J.Cr. After law school, he served as a law clerk for the Hon. Julio Mendez, A.J.S.C. (retired) in the New Jersey Atlantic County Superior Court, where he focused on prerogative writ matters.
Before joining Lauletta Birnbaum, Mike honed his skills in the commercial litigation department of a regional South Jersey law firm. He worked extensively on general commercial disputes, shareholder disputes, and estate-related matters there. Thereafter, Mike worked for another highly respected regional South Jersey law firm, focusing on commercial litigation, real estate and land use litigation, and cannabis licensing.
Education
- J.D., Villanova University School of Law (2015)
- B.A. in Philosophy, Villanova University (2012)
Representative Experience
- Defended an Atlantic City Church in a personal injury negligence claim to a successful no-cause verdict after a 2-day jury trial.
- Obtained a favorable judgment for “custody” of a family pet after a successful bench trial and subsequent appeal.
- Successfully appealed a permanent injunction issued against a corporation where the Plaintiff alleged the corporation was created by an unrelated third-party corporation to evade a non-compete agreement.
- Obtained summary judgment against a municipality challenging a land use approval for lack of standing and subsequently prevailed against a group of local residents challenging the land use approval.
- Obtained Class 5 Cannabis Retail licenses for multiple clients.
- Obtained a municipal cannabis retail license for a client through a competitive RFP process and negotiated a favorable host community agreement with the municipality.
Bar Admissions
- New Jersey
- District Court of New Jersey
Honors, Awards, & Recognition
- Villanova University School of Law – Dean’s Merit Scholarship Recipient