Michael has successfully represented clients throughout New York State in civil and criminal matters in both state and federal courts. Prior to entering the private sector in the early 1970s, he served as Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Michael is past-president of the Monroe County Bar Association, past president of the Rochester chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, past chairman of the Monroe County Board of Ethics, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and past chair of the College’s Upstate New York Committee.
He also has served as an arbitrator and mediator of disputes submitted to him by judges and other attorneys and has lectured on trial practice to a number of community, business and professional groups.
Prior to joining Bond, Michael was the founding partner of The Wolford Law Firm LLP in Rochester, New York.
News
Honors & Affiliations
Monroe County Bar Association
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
American Bar Foundation
New York State Bar Foundation
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Listed in:
Best Lawyers in America: “Bet-The-Company Litigation," personal injury litigation, commercial litigation, labor and employment litigation, environmental litigation and municipal litigation
Thurgood Marshall Award from the Federal Bar Council of the Second Circuit, 2018
Bridge Building Award, Rochester Black Bar Association, 2018
Monroe County Bar Association Humanitarian Award, 2014
University at Buffalo Law School Students of Color Trail Blazer Award, 2009
Rochester Black Bar Association’s Award for Commitment to Diversity, 2005
University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2003
Monroe County Bar Association Adolph J. Rodenbeck Award, 2001
U.S. District Court Special Service Award, 2000
The Daily Record Nathaniel Award, 1997
Representative Presentations
Political Speech or Incitement to Riot: Where is the Line Located?, Monroe Community College, April 12, 2021
Moderator, The Economic Decline of Legal Market Place: What, if Anything, Can Lawyers and Law Firms Do About it?, June 2017
Moderator and Chair, General Counsel Round Table, Including General Counsel from Constellation Brands, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester and Paychex, November 2017
Arbitrations, Employment Law, Ethics and a View From the Bench: Practical Considerations for In‐House Counsel, The Wolford Law Firm, April 2015
Moderator and Speaker, Justice Robert H. Jackson: Chief Prosecutor at Nuremberg, The Connections to Rochester & Related Topics, Monroe County Bar Association, October 2014
Representative Publications
“Forced Arbitration is Under Siege in U.S. Like Never Before,” Rochester Business Journal, December 7, 2018
“Is There an Insurance Investigation Privilege?” The Daily Record, September 6, 2018
“Donald Trump And His Administration Have Generated A Litigation Explosion,” The Daily Record, April 5, 2018
“What Law Firms Can Do About a Decade of Decline for Legal Services,” The Daily Record, June 9, 2017
“Did Election Decide Transgender Restroom Litigation?” The Daily Record, December 1, 2016
“ ‘Deflategate’ May Be Pumped Back To Life,” The Daily Record, March 5, 2015
Michael has successfully represented clients throughout New York State in civil and criminal matters in both state and federal courts. Prior to entering the private sector in the early 1970s, he served as Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Michael is past-president of the Monroe County Bar Association, past president of the Rochester chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, past chairman of the Monroe County Board of Ethics, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and past chair of the College’s Upstate New York Committee.
He also has served as an arbitrator and mediator of disputes submitted to him by judges and other attorneys and has lectured on trial practice to a number of community, business and professional groups.
Prior to joining Bond, Michael was the founding partner of The Wolford Law Firm LLP in Rochester, New York.
Best Lawyers in America: “Bet-The-Company Litigation," personal injury litigation, commercial litigation, labor and employment litigation, environmental litigation and municipal litigation
Thurgood Marshall Award from the Federal Bar Council of the Second Circuit, 2018
Bridge Building Award, Rochester Black Bar Association, 2018
Monroe County Bar Association Humanitarian Award, 2014
University at Buffalo Law School Students of Color Trail Blazer Award, 2009
Rochester Black Bar Association’s Award for Commitment to Diversity, 2005
University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2003
Monroe County Bar Association Adolph J. Rodenbeck Award, 2001
Political Speech or Incitement to Riot: Where is the Line Located?, Monroe Community College, April 12, 2021
Moderator, The Economic Decline of Legal Market Place: What, if Anything, Can Lawyers and Law Firms Do About it?, June 2017
Moderator and Chair, General Counsel Round Table, Including General Counsel from Constellation Brands, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester and Paychex, November 2017
Arbitrations, Employment Law, Ethics and a View From the Bench: Practical Considerations for In‐House Counsel, The Wolford Law Firm, April 2015
Moderator and Speaker, Justice Robert H. Jackson: Chief Prosecutor at Nuremberg, The Connections to Rochester & Related Topics, Monroe County Bar Association, October 2014