Lee S. Michaels L’67

Adjunct Professor lsmichae@syr.edu Curriculum Vitae [PDF]

Professor Michaels is in private practice in his own firm, Michaels Bersani Kalabanka, a regional law firm handling claims, trials and appeals in numerous counties and in several Federal Courts. Professor Michaels is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, magna cum laude, was an editor of the Syracuse Law Review and Clerk of the Moot Court Board. He has taught trial practice since Spring 1990 and has taught deposition practice since Fall 2019. Among his professional activities, he has often lectured at Continuing Legal Education programs for several organizations, including the New York State Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyer’s Association, New York Academy of Trial Lawyers and local bar associations. He was Editor of Bill of Particulars, a publication of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and Contributing Editor on The Trial Lawyers Quarterly. He has also earned the endowment of the Michaels Advocate award and scholarship since Spring 2019.

He has been a board certified and re-certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1984. He has also been board certified in Civil Pretrial Advocacy by the National Board of Civil Pretrial Advocacy since 2012. He has been listed in “Best Lawyers in America” since 1985.

Professor Michaels was president of the Law College Association for six years and vice chairman of the law school’s Board of Visitors for four years. He has been and continues to be a guest coach of several of the law school’s national trial and appellate teams. Prior to law school, Professor Michaels served 2 years of active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve and left the service as a Lieutenant. He has been on the adjunct faculty at Syracuse University College of Law since 1990. Professor Michaels was a recipient of a Syracuse Law Honors Award from the Law School in October 2017.