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Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLPSenior Partner
Michael Schiavone
Pro

Michael Schiavone

5.0
5 reviews

42 Delaware Avenue, Suite 120, Buffalo, NY 14202

Business and Corporate, Banking and Finance, Business Formation and 12 more

About Michael Schiavone

Michael Schiavone has provided legal guidance to businesses for 30 years. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business law, commercial real estate, and estate planning.

Mr. Schiavone is experienced in regularly counseling clients in a wide array of legal matters, including:

•Commercial lending and financial transactions
•Mergers and acquisitions
•Corporate, partnership, and limited liability matters
•Business formation
•Business succession planning
•Contract negotiation and dispute resolution
•Tax planning for businesses and their owners
•Commercial real estate financing and development
•Estate planning
•Sports law

Mr. Schiavone’s clients come from a wide range of industries, including banks and financial institutions, hotel and hospitality chains, franchises, health care, manufacturing and distribution companies, and professional sports teams.

Mr. Schiavone is chairman of the firm’s Business and Corporate Practice Area and a member of the firm’s Management Committee. He is fluent in Italian.

Awards and Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America
Named to Best Lawyers in America from 2007 to 2026; recognized for Corporate Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law, and Tax Law

Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” 2020
Named Best Lawyers’ 2020 Buffalo “Lawyer of the Year” for Tax Law

Super Lawyers Cover Story
Featured as the subject of Upstate New York Super Lawyers 2013 annual magazine’s cover story.

Client Champion Award from Martindale-Hubbell
Recognizes attorneys who demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent client service based on the quantity and quality of their client reviews on the Martindale-Hubbell website

Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” 2024
Named Best Lawyers’ 2024 Buffalo “Lawyer of the Year” for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Super Lawyers
Named to Upstate New York Super Lawyers for Business & Corporate and Sports Law from 2007 to 2025; no more than 5 percent of attorneys in any state are named to this publication

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Who’s Who in Law
Named to the final 2012 issue of Business First/Buffalo Law Journal‘s “Who’s Who in Law” for Business & Corporate

Legal Elite of Western New York
Named to Business First/Buffalo Law Journal ‘s Legal Elite of Western New York

In the News

Fast-Food Franchise Owners May Sue Over Recommended Wage Hike, legal analysis for WGRZ

Mr. Schiavone co-authors article for Buffalo Law Journal on the new Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) governing commercial electronic messages

Super Lawyers Magazine featured Mr. Schiavone as their cover story, profiling his career and experience, in their 2013 New York, Upstate Edition

Mr. Schiavone Provides Legal Insight For The Buffalo Law Journal on General Mills Legal Terms Controversy

The Jamestown Post-Journal reports on Mr. Schiavone receiving the Fredonia College Foundation’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award

Business First features Mr. Schiavone in a profile detailing his leadership at Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria and his brother’s leadership at a local accounting firm

Business First reports on Nemo Development construction initiative, including comment from Mr. Schiavone

Representative Clients & Matters

•Counsel to Buffalo Bills in connection with game day stadium operations, lease negotiations, sponsorship matters, intellectual property issues and employment matters
•Represent clients in the hospitality industry in a multitude of legal matters including all aspects of construction and development, financing, franchise matters, purchases and sales
•Advise automobile dealers in franchise and financing matters, including purchases and sales of dealerships
•Counsel to several manufacturing and distribution companies; advising on matters including supply/distribution agreements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
•Counsel to several closely held family businesses; advising on numerous matters including facilitation of business succession planning and intergenerational transfers
•Represent businesses in all facets of mergers and acquisitions
•Assist corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies in connection with the preparation of shareholder’s agreements, partnership agreements and operating agreements
•Advise clients in connection with all aspects of business formation, operations and disposition: including related tax matters
•Represent clients in connection with zoning and site plan approval as well as financing for construction projects, which include new home subdivision approval, office buildings, hotels, retail operations and medical facilities

 

Michael Schiavone (Buffalo, New York) View website

Awards

Silver Client Champion
This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 3 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.0 or higher.
Champion Badge Silver
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Michael Schiavone got this award in 2021

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Michael Schiavone got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Michael Schiavone

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Overall Rating
5.0
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5
5.0
Lawyers.com
3
5.0
Martindale
2
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What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
5.0
Quality of Service
5.0
Responsiveness
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Contracts
Posted by anonymous
November 28, 2016
Hired Attorney

Mike acted as my advocate in Breach of Contract matter that seriously jeopardized my financial well being. He was pro-active, responsive and aggressive in defending my interest. I owe him much more than his legal fees.
I highly recommend him.

Business Law
Posted by anonymous
October 21, 2016
Hired Attorney

I have been working Mike Schivone as a Business Owner as well as with my Personal and Family matters, since 1982

Finance
Posted by anonymous
October 20, 2016
Hired Attorney

I have been using the services of Mike Schiavone and his associates for over twenty years have been very pleased with the level of service and expertise

From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Business Law 1
    • Business Formation
  • Intellectual Property
  • Real Estate
  • Elder Law
  • Other 11
    • Business and Corporate
    • Banking and Finance
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Closely Held and Family Owned Businesses
    • Contract Negotiations
    • Franchise Law
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Tax
    • Estates, Wills, and Trusts
    • Sports and Entertainment Law
    • New York State Sexual Harassment Law and Training

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1982, New York
    Memberships

    Professional Activities

    • Member, Business Law Section and Estates and Trusts Sections of the New York Bar Association
    • Member, Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association
    • Former president, Estate Analysts of Western New York, Inc.
    • Member, Western New York Financial Planning Counselors
    • Member and past Chair, Fredonia College Foundation Board of Directors
    • Member, School of Business Advisory Council, State University of New York at Fredonia
    • Judging panel, Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Award

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Syracuse University
    Class of 1981
    J.D.
    Other Education
    State University of New York at Fredonia
    Class of 1978
    B.A.
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1957
    Potenza, Italy, April 17, 1957

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Michael Schiavone has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP has 53 attorneys at this location.
  • Does this attorney maintain any other responsibilities in the firm outside of legal work?
    Michael Schiavone is the Managing Partner of the firm.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP was established in 1965.

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