Michael Schiavone

Michael Schiavone

Buffalo, NY recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007
Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP

28 Best Lawyers awards

Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Corporate Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Real Estate Law Tax Law

Biography

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 form 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.

Practice Areas

In the News

Click on any of the headlines below to read the articles featuring 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

Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP

28 Best Lawyers awards

Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP logo

Overview

  • Syracuse University, J.D., graduated 1981
  • State University of New York at Fredonia, B.A.

  • New York, New York State

  • Syracuse Law Review - Notes and Comments Editor
  • Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Award - Judging Panel
  • Business Law Section and Estates and Trusts Sections of the New York Bar Association - Member
  • Estate Analysts of Western New York, Inc. - Former president
  • Fredonia College Foundation board of directors - Member and Past Chair
  • Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association - Member
  • School of Business advisory council, State University of New York at Fredonia - Member
  • Western New York Financial Planning Counselors - Member
  • New York, New York State
  • Syracuse Law Review - Notes and Comments Editor
  • Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Award - Judging Panel
  • Business Law Section and Estates and Trusts Sections of the New York Bar Association - Member
  • Estate Analysts of Western New York, Inc. - Former president
  • Fredonia College Foundation board of directors - Member and Past Chair
  • Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association - Member
  • School of Business advisory council, State University of New York at Fredonia - Member
  • Western New York Financial Planning Counselors - Member
  • Syracuse University, J.D., graduated 1981
  • State University of New York at Fredonia, B.A.

Client Testimonials

Michael Schiavone has been my corporate attorney for approximately 30 years. He has always given sound and accurate advice in a timely manner. He has also advised me on many personal issues over the years. Mike is extremely knowledgeable and personable above any other in his profession.

Michael Schiavone has a very good understanding of our business and as a result, discussions regarding related issues are not drawn out but concluded in a timely and efficient manner. Our business is primarily a manufacturing business in the construction field, marketing and distributing the product we manufacture. Aside from the day to day issues, Michael is instrumental in negotiating representative and supplier contracts and assisting in the resolution of warranty claims where required.

Miro Staroba (Staroba Plastics, Inc.)

Holland, NY

It is rare to find an individual who always does what is promised. In today's world environment it is critical to any client who wants to achieve success. Although he has a considerable client base, Michael Schiavone provides unparalleled service and timely advice in a manner that makes us feel that we are his only client. His ability to take oftentimes complex legal issues and communicate them to me and others on my staff in a forthright and clear manner has proven invaluable over the many years of our association.

Brent James (Diversified Control)

Mike's broad knowledge base and attention to detail have made him a great asset to our organization. I would highly recommend Mike to anyone looking for a first class corporate attorney.

Michael Schiavone has been professional and thorough in working with me to solve the issues that I have presented to him. He has been accessible and has given me all the time and attention that I need in working through my concerns.

Larry Raines (Corvette Plazas)

Amherst, NY

Michael Schiavone has been my lawyer for 20 years with great satisfaction.

HENRY MANN

Michael Schiavone has advised and represented me since the early 1980s. He's a competent and skillful lawyer who has represented and/or advised me, my company and my family in many business and personal situations. He listens, he comments and he guides in a professional way. He's an expert in his field. My family and I respect him.

Charles Soponski (Star-Lite Mfg. Co. Inc.)

Elma, NY

Michael Schiavone has been a trusted advisor to our organization for many years. From assisting with simple business transactions to managing complex legal matters Mike's vast experience and tireless work ethic have been invaluable to our team.

David Wheat (Buffalo Bills)

Orchard Park, NY

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Tax Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Buffalo (2024)
  • Tax Law, Buffalo (2020)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Tax Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Copyright Law
  • International Trade and Finance Law
  • Sports Law
  • Trademark Law
  • Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
  • Business Planning
  • Closely-Held Businesses
  • COVID-19
  • General Corporate
  • Partnership and Limited Liability
  • Sports
Awards:

Case History

Cases
  • Counsel to Buffalo Bills in connection with game day stadium operations, lease negotiations, sponsorship matters, intellectual property issues and employment 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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

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