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Biography

Mike is retired from the practice of law.

This attorney was selected for the recognitions listed on this page, which were conferred by the corresponding publications and/or organizations noted. A description of the selection methodology for this recognition can be found at https://www.gibbonslaw.com/awards. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Throughout his career, Mike was recognized by his peers as an outstanding litigator in significant complex litigation. That is why he was listed in the Best Lawyers® publication for bet-the-company litigation and six other categories for over 20 years, and why clients and peers ranked him in the top tier for commercial litigation in the Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. He also earned extensive recognition by way of honors and awards from the legal community. In addition to earning these accolades, Mike was the author of the seminal treatise on New Jersey Estate and Trust Litigation, and his decades of successful representations include, notably, representation of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey in the Supreme Court of the United States case that authorized sports betting, Murphy vs. NCAA – 138 S. Ct. 1461 (2018).

In his legal practice, Mike conducted trials and hearings in federal and state courts in New Jersey, New York, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, California, and Nevada. Highlights of his career include:

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and American Bar Foundation
  • Listed in Best Lawyers for over 20 years; for 2021, listed in seven categories:
  • Appellate Practice (Complex Assets, Defendants, Federal, Fiduciary Duties, Litigation)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation (Defendants)
  • Commercial Litigation (Antitrust, Bankruptcy, Business Disputes, Civil Litigation, Complex Litigation, Defendants, Fraud, Large Case Litigation, Securities)
  • Litigation – Antitrust
  • Litigation – Bankruptcy
  • Litigation – Securities
  • Litigation – Trusts and Estates
  • Top tier for Commercial Litigation in Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. From publication:
  • “Interviewees confirm the ‘outstanding talents’ of first-rate commercial litigation partner Michael Griffinger, who is well versed in helping companies from myriad sectors in seeing off litigious threats.
  • “Michael Griffinger is a fixture of the New Jersey Bar and offers expertise in securities, bankruptcy and antitrust litigation.
  • Listed in New Jersey Super Lawyers as #1 Lawyer (Top Point-Getter) in New Jersey (2011)
  • Chairman, New Jersey State Bar Association Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee (2009-2010)
  • Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (2007-2010)
  • Recipient, William J. Brennan Jr. Award, Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey (2010)
  • Recipient, Trial Attorneys of New Jersey Trial Bar Award (2010)
  • Recipient, “Francis X. Dee Award, New Jersey State Committee of the American College for Trial Lawyers, 2021

Other Info About Michael

Education

Columbia Law School|Columbia Business School|Cornell University


J.D.|M.B.A.|B.A.


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Courts

Michael is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

State of New Jersey|State of New York|District of Columbia|United States District Court for the District of New Jersey|United States District Court for the Southern District of New York|United States District Court for the District of Colorado|United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit|United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit|United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit|United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit|United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit|Supreme Court of the United States


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Recognition

Local & National Recognition

This attorney has been selected for the recognitions listed on this page, which have been conferred by the corresponding publications and/or organizations noted. A description of the selection methodology for this recognition can be found at https://www.gibbonslaw.com/awards. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Recipient, New Jersey State Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers, “Francis X. Dee Award,”  2021

Listed in Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Top Tier for Litigation: General Commercial

Listed in Best Lawyers®, Appellate (Complex Assets, Defendants, Federal, Fiduciary Duties, Litigation); Bet-the-Company Litigation (Defendants); Commercial Litigation (Antitrust, Bankruptcy, Business Disputes, Civil Litigation, Complex Litigation, Defendants, Fraud, Large Case Litigation, Securities); Litigation – Antitrust; Litigation – Bankruptcy; Litigation – Securities; Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Named Newark, NJ “Lawyer of the Year” – Appellate Practice, 2014
Named Newark, NJ “Lawyer of the Year” – Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2009

Appointed by New Jersey Supreme Court to Committee on Business Court

Selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list, Business Litigation
Top 10 attorney in New Jersey, 2008-2016
Top 100 attorney in New Jersey, 2004-2016
Top Point Getter (#1) in New Jersey, 2012

AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Included on the “Local Litigation Stars” list by Benchmark Litigation

Recipient, New Jersey State Bar Association Pro Bono Committee “Lifetime Pro Bono Achievement Award,” 2020

Recipient, NJBIZ ICON Award, 2017

Recognized as a “Champion of Justice” by Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, 2016

Recipient, New Jersey Law Journal Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016

Recipient, Family Connections’ “Champion of the People” Award, 2011

Recipient, New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s Medal of Honor Award, 2013

Recipient, William J. Brennan, Jr. Award, Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, 2010

Recipient, Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, Trial Bar Award, 2010

Recognized as a “Champion of Change” by Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, 2010

Named to the NJBIZPower 50” List for Nonprofit Board Members, 2010

Recipient, New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s “Chambers Award for Service to the Community,” 2004

Tree of Life Award Recipient, Jewish National Fund, 2003

Recipient, Professional Lawyer of the Year Award, New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law, 1999

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

New Jersey State Bar Association

Judicial & Prosecutorial Appointments Committee (JPAC)
Chairman, 2009-2010

Essex County Bar Association
Trustee, 1991-1997

United States District Court, District of New Jersey
Lawyers Advisory Committee, 1996-present

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
Trustee Emeritus, 2013-present
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 2008-2012
Trustee Emeritus

Lifland Inn of Court
Master

Columbia University Law School
Board of Visitors

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Essex-Newark Legal Services Foundation
President, 1992-1995; Trustee, 1995-2019

 

New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Board of Trustees, 1995-present; Recipient, Chambers Award, 2004

 

Greater Newark Holiday Fund
Chairman, 2002-2003

 

Fresh Air Fund
Co-Chairman, 1991-1992

 

Columbia Law School Reunions
Co-Chairman

 

Cornell University
Council, 2011-2014, 2012