Overview
Michael L. Rich represents clients in business and commercial disputes and litigation, with particular expertise handling Chancery litigation disputes. His practice includes shareholder and LLC member oppression actions and other shareholder and partnership break-ups, director and officer liability claims, restrictive covenant litigation, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, employment litigation, trust and estate litigation, and other contractual/business tort disputes. He also formerly chaired the firm's Real Estate practice group, and continues to handle real estate litigation, construction disputes, and commercial foreclosures and workouts.
Michael has successfully litigated matters before federal and state courts (both trial and appellate), arbitration panels, and administrative tribunals. Clients, large and small, turn to him for his unique combination of experience, problem-solving abilities, thorough preparation, and deep commitment to serving his clients' interests.
Michael also has served with distinction as a mediator and arbitrator in corporate/commercial, employment and probate litigation matters, and is listed on the roster of Mediators for New Jersey's Statewide Mediation Program for Civil, General Equity, and Probate cases.
Michael presently serves as the firm's General Counsel.
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America® - Commercial Litigation (2010-2025); Litigation - Real Estate (2012-2025); Litigation - Labor & Employment (2012-2023)
- Who's Who Legal - Litigation (2020)
- New Jersey Super Lawyers® (2005-2024)
- Top 100 (2018)
- Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Ratings - AV® Preeminent™ (since 2021)
Memberships
-
Morris County Bar Association, Trustee, 2005–2009; Chancery Practice Committee, Member 2001 - present, Chair 2003-2015.
- New Jersey State Bar Association, Equity Jurisprudence Special Committee (appointed member); Civil Trial Bar Section; Labor & Employment Section.
- American Bar Association
- Morristown Field Club, Trustee, July 2020 – present.
- Morris Educational Foundation, Trustee, 2012 - 2016.
- Employment Horizons, Trustee, 2000–2008.
- New Jersey Housing Authority, Commissioner, Morris County, 1991–1997 (Gubernatorial Appointment).
News
- 26 Porzio Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Edition; 6 Listed as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, 8/15/2024
- 18 Porzio Attorneys Named to 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® Lists, 3/25/2024
- 27 Porzio Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®; Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, 8/17/2023
- Twenty Porzio Attorneys Recognized in 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists, 5/11/2023
- 24 Porzio Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers ® in America, 2023 Edition, 8/18/2022
- 22 Porzio Attorneys Selected for Inclusion on 2022 New Jersey Super Lawyers List, 4/06/2022
- Congratulations To The 23 Porzio Attorneys Recognized In Best Lawyers® In America, 2022, 8/19/2021
- Congratulations To The 23 Porzio Attorneys Recognized In Best Lawyers In America, 2020, 8/15/2019
- Porzio Victory on Behalf of Fitbit Detailed in Law360 Article, 5/10/2017
- Porzio Recognized in 2016 Top 50 Verdicts in New Jersey, 5/04/2017
- Porzio's Litigation Practice Profiled by New Jersey Law Journal, 11/15/2016
Articles
- Changes in New Jersey Sheriff's Foreclosure Sale: How Residential and Non-Residential Properties Are Impacted - New Jersey Law Journal, 4/23/2024
-
Voir Dire and Jury Selection Strategies, 12/20/2016
- Can I Judicially Expel My Fellow LLC Member If We Can't Get Along?, 9/22/2015
- Getting a Divorce from your Business Partner, 5/15/2014
- The Business Judgement Rule: Partial Armor for Directors and Officers, April 2014
- The Business Divorce: A Primer on Minority Oppression Rights, 4/01/2013
- Breach of Restrictive Covenants, 10/24/2011
- Fair Value and Discounting in N.J. Shareholder Oppression Case, 11/03/2008
Speaking Engagements
-
"Cross-Examination and Redirect – Focus on Experts and Evidence", NBI Advanced Trial Tactics Seminar, 12/19/2018
-
"Voir Dire and Jury Selection Strategies" and "Cross-Examination and Redirect – Focus on Experts and Evidence", NBI Advanced Trial Tactics Seminar, 12/20/2016
-
"Top 5 in Business Torts," New Jersey Association of Justice Boardwalk Seminar® 2015, 4/30/2015
-
"Business Valuation Roundtable: The Business Divorce," New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants , 4/21/2015
-
"Business Divorce – The Issues, The Drama, The Tax" , November 17-18, 2014 and August 6, 2014
-
Moderator, "Small Business Breakups – Avoiding a Repeat of the French Revolution," NJSBA Mid-Year Meeting, Paris, France, 11/03/2014
Prior Relevant Experience
- Dillon, Bitar & Luther, L.L.C., Morristown, New Jersey: Partner (1990-2006), Associate (1984-1989)