Michael A. Rolek

Michael Rolek is a versatile practitioner who focuses his practice on regulatory affairs and compliance, corporate and business law, and commercial litigation. 

Michael represents public entities, closely-held corporations, and startup ventures - in a variety of industries - on a wide range of regulatory, corporate, transactional, and employment issues.  Michael’s clients can expect a responsive, efficient and practical approach to finding solutions to their day-to-day needs, as well as an in-depth understanding of more complex matters, including mergers and acquisitions and various commercial agreements.      

As a litigator, Michael is an assertive advocate who has represented a wide-array of clients in state court, federal court, and arbitrations across the county.  His clients have included national sports organizations, public entities, commercial and residential real estate developers, insurers, and national non-profit organizations. He is adept at developing litigation strategies to suit each client’s individual business needs, and is skilled in working efficiently to measure the viability of available claims and defenses and assess potential liability and exposure.

In 2021, 2022, and 2023, Michael was selected for inclusion as a “Rising Star” in New Jersey Super Lawyers, and a “Ones to Watch” for Commercial Litigation in Best Lawyers in America.  In his community, Michael serves on the Board of Trustees for the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children and is an active member of Seton Hall University School of Law, Seton Hall Preparatory School and various legal bar associations. Prior to attending law school, Michael was a Teach for America corps member and taught elementary school in Newark, New Jersey, for three years. 

In his free time, Michael enjoys spending quality time with his family, running on the trails of New Jersey and New York, and cheering on his Buffalo Bills to their first Super Bowl victory.

Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Representative Experience
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

• Representation of seller, a national-brand food company, in connection with the sale of its assets, including its brand and consumer packaged goods business.
• Representation of a national non-profit sports organization in an employment litigation matter.
• Serves as outside counsel for a New Jersey state authority, routinely advising on regulatory and corporate matters, and representing said authority in various litigations.
• Representation of seller in connection with the sale of assets of an insurance company.
• Representation of a New Jersey state authority in a litigation, at both the trial and appellate levels, in connection with a property located in Atlantic City.
• Successfully negotiated the buyout of a minority-member’s interest in a limited liability company that owned and operated one of the highest-rated bars on Yelp in New York City.
• Defended a Denver-based asset management firm in a complex trademark infringement litigation in federal court in Delaware. In contrast to the usual claim of consumer confusion, plaintiff claimed that the defendant’s use of a name containing the same distinctive element as the plaintiff’s name caused confusion among the major broker-dealer financial institutions through which both parties traded securities. Shortly before trial commenced, the parties reached a settlement on a mutually satisfactory basis.
• Successfully defended a renowned non-profit organization in two simultaneous New York state court actions where multiple real estate developers were attempting to claim a right and cloud title on a $30 million Manhattan building that the non-profit owned and was attempting to sell in order to fund its program service objectives. After achieving favorable results in multiple dispositive motions in both actions, the non-profit organization was able to sell the building and further fund its organization. 
• On behalf of a general contractor, successfully defeated a subcontractor’s claims for monies owed on summary judgment.
• Represented a commercial real estate developer seeking delay damages against a subcontractor and its surety. After successfully defeating multiple summary judgment motions, the parties reached a settlement on a mutually satisfactory basis shortly before trial commenced in the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court.
• Represented numerous companies and insurers in premise liability cases in New York and New Jersey state and federal courts.
• Represented multiple insurers in numerous lawsuits arising from Superstorm Sandy in New York and New Jersey state courts.

Professional and Community Affiliations

• Board Member, The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (2021 – Present)
• Fellow, New Jersey State Bar Association Leadership Academy (2022 – 2023)
• Member, United States Track and Field Task Force on Diversity, Engagement and Inclusion (2019-2021)
• Executive Committee, The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, Board of Associates (2016 – 2021)
• Co-Chairman, Seton Hall University School of Law, Graduates of the Law Decade (“GOLD”) (2016-2018)
• Member, Seton Hall University School of Law Alumni Council, Member (2016 – 2019)
• Member, Essex County Bar Association (2018 – Present)
• Member, New Jersey State Bar Association Leadership Academy (2013 – Present)

• Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch - Commercial Litigation (2021-2025)
• New Jersey Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2021, 2022, 2023)
• New York Metro Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2017, 2018, 2020)
• Seton Hall University School of Law (2010-2013)
  • Member, Interscholastic Moot Court Board
  • Member, Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Board
• Teach for America Corp Member (2008-2010)
• Marist College (2004-2008)
  • Cross Country/Track and Field Team; Member (2004-2008), Captain (2007-2008)
  • NCAA post-graduate Scholarship Recipient, first in Marist College history (2008)
  • Male Sportsperson of the Year at Marist College (2008)
  • Third-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American (2008)

^{Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.}