Michael managed Seeger Weiss’ Newark office since the firm’s inception in 1999 until the move to Ridgefield Park. His practice focuses on complex and mass tort litigation, including drug injury, product liability, and insurance, as well as representing victims of childhood sexual abuse. He is also responsible for the firm’s day-to-day handling of the implementation of the NFL Concussion settlement. Michael has served in integral or leadership roles in some of the largest high-stakes and high-profile litigations in the country.
Bio
Education
1989, Juris Doctor
Rutgers-Camden School of Law
1986, Bachelor of Arts
University of Delaware
Practices
Admissions
States
- New York
- New Jersey
District Courts
- Eastern District of New York
- Southern District of New York
- District of New Jersey
Memberships & Associations
American Bar Association
American Association for Justice
Advisory Board, Jewish Law Symposium
Human Rights First
Selected Representation
Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.
A member of the Seeger Weiss team appointed Co-Lead Counsel by the Honorable Anita Brody in the highly visible and contentious multidistrict litigation against the National Football League. Facing significant legal and procedural challenges, including those associated with federal preemption, causation and sub-classing, the team was ultimately able to lead settlement negotiations under the auspices of a mediator and in coordination with subclass counsel. The results achieved there—an uncapped settlement fund valued at approximately $1 billion and a medical testing program—were overwhelmingly supported by the class and received unprecedented media attention. This settlement was approved by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and certification of appeal was recently denied by the United States Supreme Court. A key member of the team working on the implementation of the settlement to ensure that class members receive the full benefits of the settlement.
Since 2005, served as a member of the Lead Trial Counsel team in the multicounty litigation pending in New Jersey Superior Court, Atlantic County, on behalf of people injured by the prescription drug Accutane, securing a string of jury verdicts totaling in excess of $55 million. Also served as a member of the team prevailing in a string of appellate decisions. In a landmark decision issued in January 2017, the Court agreed with the team that Section 142 of the Restatement (Second) of Conflicts of Law applies to resolve choice of law disputes on the issue of which state’s law governs the statute of limitations, resulting in the reinstatement of a $25.5 million verdict on behalf of the client. In July 2017, the team convinced the Court to revive more than 2,000 cases in consolidated litigation against Roche. That same week, the Appellate Division reversed another major decision by the trial court, reinstating roughly 300 cases in the litigation.
Served as member of the Seeger Weiss team appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the MDL, representing women who suffered serious adverse effects as a result of using the company’s birth control pills. Key member of the team that was able to settle the firm’s clients’ cases first, which ultimately led to the creation of nationwide settlement program exceeding $2 billion.
Served as member of the Seeger Weiss teams appointed to the MDL Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Western District of Washington and as Liaison Counsel in the New Jersey state court litigation. Played a prominent role in the nationwide settlement against the manufacturers of weight loss product Dexatrim on behalf of approximately of 500 stroke victims alleging their strokes were caused by their use of Dexatrim. The settlement is valued at approximately $200 million. Michael was also selected as a member of the Delaco Trust Advisory Committee tasked with overseeing the administration of the settlement.
Served as member of the Seeger Weiss teams appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the MDL and as Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel in the New Jersey state court litigation against Johnson & Johnson, representing women who allegedly suffered serious adverse effects as a result of using the company’s birth control patch. Secured millions in settlements on behalf of the firm’s clients.
Michael was selected as 2025 Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers, in the category of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs. The award is issued by Best Lawyers. The Best Lawyers selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Learn more about their selection methodologyMichael was named to the 2024 and 2025 Best Lawyers in America for his work in Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs. The award is issued by Best Lawyers. The Best Lawyers selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Learn more about their selection methodologyMichael was selected to the Super Lawyers list in 2013, 2017-2019. The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Michael has been selected for inclusion on Lawdragon’s list of 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers for 2024. This guide, first published in 2007 by Lawdragon Inc., presents Lawdragon’s opinion of “the best of the U.S. plaintiff bar who specialize in representing individuals who have suffered injuries from accidents, pharmaceuticals, civil rights abuse and other torts.” No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Learn more about their selection methodologyCommunity Involvement
Hunter College
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA)
Michael is also the founder and president of the Benjamin M. Rosenberg Foundation, a non-profit devoted to various children’s causes. It was founded in memory of Michael’s beloved son, Benjamin Matthew, who passed away unexpectedly in May 2008 at the age of two.