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 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. In the News Click on any of the headlines below to read the articles featuring Mr. Schiavone. 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 Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Michael Schiavone included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, 2007 - Present New York Super Lawyers, Upstate Edition: Business & Corporate/Sports Law, 2007 - Present Business First/Buffalo Law Journal's Who's Who in Law, Business & Corporate, 2012 - Present Upstate New York Super Lawyers, 2013 Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell Business First/Buffalo Law Journal‘s Legal Elite Super Lawyers Cover Story, Upstate New York Super Lawyers Annual Magazine, 2013 Other Sources of Feedback About Michael Schiavone Included on the 2025Upstate New York Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2024 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2023 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2021 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2020 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2019 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2018 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2017 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2016 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2015 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2014 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2013 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2012 New York Super Lawyers Super Lawyers list 2011 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2010 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2009 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2008 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2007 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list

• Senior Partner
• Languages
• Italian

• Lecture, Buying and Selling of Businesses
• Lecture, Estate Planning
• Lecture, Law Office Management

• Member, Board of Trustees, Fredonia College Foundation
• Member and Past Chair, Board of Directors, Fredonia College Foundation
• Member, School of Business Advisory Council, State University of New York at Fredonia

• New York, 1982

• New York Bar Association (Member, Business Law Section)
• New York Bar Association (Member, Estates and Trust Section)
• American Bar Association (Member, Law Practice Management Section)
• Western New York, Inc. (Past President, Estate Analysts Section)
• Western New York Financial Planning Counselors (Member)
• Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Award (Judging Panel)
• Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, Business Department (Chairman)
• Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, Management Committee (Member)