Michael E. Appelbaum
Partner
Experience
Michael E. Appelbaum, a leader of the firm’s Retail and General Liability Practice Groups, is a seasoned litigator who tries cases in the state, federal, and appellate courts of New York involving personal injury, sexual torts/abuse, truck and motor vehicle accidents, and the sports and entertainment industry. As Leader of the Firm’s Sexual Tort and Abuse Defense Team, Michael Appelbaum has successfully represented businesses, institutions, religious orders, and national entities in the defense of abuse claims arising out of the Child Victims Act and the Adult Survivors Act. His diverse background also includes the representation of professionals practicing in the medical, mental health, and fitness industries. Michael has obtained successful results for his clients at every level of court in New York State.
Michael maintains active memberships in the Bar Association of Erie County and the New York State Bar Association and is a past director of the Western New York Trial Lawyers Association. He is annually included in Upstate New York Super Lawyers as well as among Western New York’s “Legal Elite,” an exclusive list of the area’s most respected attorneys produced by Buffalo Business First.
Michael is active in a number of charitable and youth sports associations and serves as an advisory member of the Sisters Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Honors & Awards
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating: AV Preeminent
Best Lawyers in America
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2025
BTI Client Service All-Star, 2024
Upstate New York Super Lawyers, 2013–24; 10th Year Special Recognition, 2022
Business First‘s Legal Elite of Western New York, 2015–19
Background
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of New York
Education
- Quinnipiac University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1997
- Hobart College, B.A., 1992
Professional Affiliations
- Bar Association of Erie County
- New York State Bar Association
- Western New York Trial Lawyers Association: Past Director
Community Involvement
- Board of Directors, Sisters Hospital Foundation
- 11 Day Power Play
News & Knowledge
Publications & Events
- Quoted, “New NYS Law A Reminder to Review Sex Misconduct Policies,” Law360, February 2, 2023
- Co-Author, “NY Adult Survivors Act Look-Back: What Orgs Must Know,” Law360, January 9, 2023
- Co-Author, “How Lawyers Can Help Clients Prevent Sexual Abuse and Handle Claims,” Buffalo Law Journal, February 20, 2018
- Co-Author, “For the Defense: A Case for OPWDD,” Buffalo Law Journal, September 12, 2015
- “The Impact of Reviver Statutes,” Perrin Conference’s Sexual Abuse and Litigation Conference, October 5, 2023
- Contributor, “Social Media Due Diligence Before and During Trial,” Timely Notice, October 15, 2019