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Michael Konopka

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Avvo Rating8.6
  • New York, NY
  • Licensed for 37 years
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About Michael

      Michael Konopka has aggressively represented his clients for over 36 years in complex litigation in both the New York State and Federal Courts. He is the principal of Michael Konopka & Associates, P.C., located at 277 Broadway, NY, NY, 10007 (212 385 4800). Michael has many international corporate clients and his office staff is fluent in Russian, Ukranian & Polish. 
Michael was recently selected as a member of "Super Lawyers" for 2019. Super Lawyers is a research-driven, peer-influenced rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
 

     Michael was born in Detroit, Michigan and paid his own way through college by working for the Ford Motor Company during his summer vacations. He was also active in student politics during college and was elected to the Student Faculty Council for two successive years. After graduating from Monteith College, he attended New York Law School and received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1982. 
Michael is a lifetime member
 of the  Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. He is also a member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Association and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Michael has earned a diploma in Trial Advocacy Skills from the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Michael has successfully argued appeals before the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals of the State of New York and the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court. His verdicts and decisions have been reported in the New York Law Journal and the Jury Verdict Reporter. Michael and his wife Sharon have been married for 40 years, and they have one son who lives in Boston. Michael is a former member of the parish council of St Gregory the Great Church and the Fordham Prep Father's Club. He is currently a Member of the Board of Directors of the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts.

 

Practice areas

Spinal cord injuryCar accidentWrongful deathLitigation
  1. Litigation: 48%

    Complex commercial litigation, serious personal injuries, intellectual property and appeals.

    38 years, 1,760 cases

  2. Wrongful death: 20%

    32 years

  3. Car accident: 18%

    28 years

  4. Spinal cord injury: 14%

    23 years

Languages spoken

Ukrainian, Polish, Russian

Contact

277 Broadway Ste 810
address map

277 Broadway Ste 810
New York, NY, 10007-2025

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
NYCurrently registered 198312/09/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers30
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Who's Who in American LawMarquis Who's Who in American Law2017
Life MemberMillion Dollar Advocates Forum2016
Attorney Appreciation & Achievement AwardBay Ridge Jewish Center2016
Life MemberMillion Dollar Advocates Forum2014
Life MemberMillion Dollar Advocates Forum2013
Life MemberMillion Dollar Advocates Forum2012
Who's Who in Executives, Professionals & EntrepreneursCambridge Who's Who2010
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Founding MemberMichael Konopka & Associates, P.C.1987 - Present
General CounselAugust Artists, Unlimited1985 - 1988
AssociateDavidoff Malito & Hutcher, LLP1982 - 1985
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
American Association for JusticeMember2017 - Present
New York Civil Liberties UnionMember2017 - Present
Duke Ellington Center for the ArtsBoard of Directors2016 - Present
New York State Academy of Trial LawyersMember2010 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember2001 - Present
New York State Trial Lawyers AssociationMember1994 - Present
Fordham Prep Fathers' ClubTreasurer2010 - 2015
St Gregory the Great Parish CounselBoard Member2006 - 2014
Macomb County Symphony OrchestraBoard of Directors1997 - 1998
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
The Consumer AdvocateWhat to Do When You are Served with a Summons & Complaint2000
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
National Institute for Trial AdvocacyDiploma in Trial Advocacy Skills1998
New York Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor1982
Wayne State UniversityBachelor of Philosphy1979
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Court TVThe Menendez Brothers Trial - Court Commentator1996
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Grinshpun v. Borokhovich et al., Supreme Court, New York CountyFavorable settlement in the amount of 1.1 million dollars prior to jury selection
Rennert v. S.M.R. Holding Corp., et al., Supreme Court, New York CountyAfter extended hearing before Court appointed referee, successfully defeated minority shareholder's lawsuit alleging corporate waste and mismanagement.
Yan v. Tan, Supreme Court, Kings CountyAfter bench trial, verdict in favor of my client of resulting in a judgment in excess of $400,000
Ng v. Rangoon, Supreme Court, New York County$1,00,000 settlement on eve of trial (full amount of insurance coverage).
Peng v. Willets Point Asphalt Corp., Supreme Court, Queens CountyMediated settlement in the amount of $440,000.
Jeranek v. Gritzer, 51 Misc.3d 1201(A) (Supreme Court, Kings County, 2016)Action was dismissed in its entirety
Cannariato v. Cannariato, 136 A.D.3d 627 (2d Dept. 2016)The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court's finding in favor of my client, holding that the alleged fraud victim was precluded from establishing that she lacked knowledge from which she could have discovered alleged fraud with reasonable diligence.
Washington Realty Owners LLC v. 260 Washington Street LLC, 105 A.D.3d 675 (1st Dept. 2013)Ruling in favor of my client, the Appellate Division reversed the lower court and held that seller's summary judgment motion was procedurally defective.
Pransky v. Eisner, No. CV 08-601 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 14, 2011)Monetary judgment in favor or client
Peng v. Willets Point Asphalt Corp., 81 A.D.3d 618, 915 N.Y.S.2d 878 (1st Dept 2011)Appellate Division held that the Supreme Court erred in determining that “[t]he doctrine known as demand for adequate assurances of future performance”
Berkowitz v. Vivad, Inc., 61 A.D.3d 625, 876 N.Y.S.2d 500 (2d Dept. 2009)Appellate Division reversed lower court's award of summary judgment against my clients.
4440 Equities Inc., v. Dhinsa, 52 A.D.3d 654 (2d Dept. 2008)Appellate Division reversed lower court's decision and found in favor of my client.
Yang. v. 75 Rockefeller Cafe Corp., 50 A.D.3d 320 (1st Dept. 2008)The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court's findings in favor of my client.
Cavender v. Wyeth Pharm., 48 A.D.3d 396, 397, 849 N.Y.S.2d 796, 797 (2d Dept. 2008)Secured reversal from the Appellate Division of lower court decision that had dismissed my client's case.
349 Amsterdam Ave. Corp. v. Good Sports Ltd. P'ship, 16 Misc. 3d 1108(A), 847 N.Y.S.2d 899 (Sup. Ct. 2007)The court found in favor of my client and dismissed the case in its entirety.
Casaregola v. Farhouh, 1 A.D.3d 306 (2d Dept. 2003)Appellate Division held that the trial court erred in denying my client's application to set aside the jury verdict as against the weight of the evidence.
Laing v. Cantor, 280 A.D.2d 519 (2d Dept. 2001)Appellate Division affirmed the lower court's decision dismissing all claims against my client.
Good Sports v. Llorente, 280 A.D.2d 261 (1st Dept 2001)Favorable Decision
1602 Avenue Y Inc. v. Markowitz, 274 A.D.2d 506 (2d Dept. 2000)Appellate Division held that owners waived their right to terminate my client's leases based upon an alleged failure to replace underground storage tanks.
Chong v. ZhouJury verdict in favor of client in the amount of $1,625,000.
State of New York v. Markowitz, 273 A.D.2d 637, 710 N.Y.S.2d 407 (3rd Dept 2000)Successfully reversed and set aside jury verdict against client in excess of 11 million dollars
Akhtar v. Cavalieri, 255 A.D.2d 275 (2d Dept. 1998)Appellate Division agreed that the default judgment obtained against my client should be vacated
Pulitzer v. Pulitzer, 134 A.D.2d 84 (1st Dept. 2008)Appellate Division found in favor of my client, holding that cooperative apartment lived she lived in was not marital property.
Barbone v. Ciccone p/k/a "Madonna"Favorable settlement in favor of my client.
Cooper v. Callabrese Real EstateJury verdict in favor of client in excess of $500,000.

Reviews

(2)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
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Review Michael Konopka

Best lawyer I've ever had

Posted by

He's the best lawyer I've ever had. He knows what he's doing and I trust him 100%

Hardworking and personable attorney

Posted by

Worked like a bulldog to get the best results on my case. Kept on going even when I was ready to quit.

Attorney endorsements

(3)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Paul Scollan, Litigation Attorney on Feb 23, 2014
Relationship: Friend

Michael is a tireless advocate who tenaciously represents his clients in litigation. He prepares his cases well and has no aversion about going to trial if he cannot secure a fair and reasonable settlement for the client. His skills also include the ability to file and effectively argue an appeal. Michael is an experienced and reliable resource who I will continue to use for counsel and referrals.

Bill Lomuscio, Litigation Attorney on Feb 21, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have personally known Michael for thirty years. He is a knowledgeable, effective and talented litigator. He is also one of the most trustworthy individuals I have ever met.

Leslie Farber, Litigation Attorney on Jan 25, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I have worked with and consulted with Michael Konopka on a few matters. He is extremely diligent and bright with attention to every detail. I also have observed him give careful attention to his clients.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$400-$485/hour
    RATES
    • Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.33%-33%
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check