Atty. Michael W. Kessler
Mike Kessler was a member of the Law Review and graduated from Albany Law School in 1972. He is one of only eight attorneys in New York State, and only 150 in the United States who is Board Certified in Medical Malpractice Law by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys.
Medical Malpractice Law & More Attorney · Serving Troy, NY · 53+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Michael W. Kessler at a Glance
Michael W. Kessler is an Associate based in Troy, New York, practicing at Hacker Murphy LLP. They have 53+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1973. Their practice focuses on medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability. Admitted to practice in New York (1973), U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York (1973), U.S. Tax Court (1976), and U.S. Supreme Court (1979). Educated at Albany Law School J.D. (—). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Troy, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Michael W. Kessler in Troy
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Michael W. Kessler
- Mike Kessler was a member of the Law Review and graduated from Albany Law School in 1972
- He is one of only eight attorneys in New York State, and only 150 in the United States who is Board Certified in Medical Malpractice Law by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
- For many years Mike has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® , New York Superlawyers.®, and he has been listed as one of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America” by the National Trial Lawyers Association
- Mr. Kessler limits his practice to representing individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries
- Since 1991, Mr. Kessler has recovered more $150 million for clients in personal injury cases, including recoveries of more than $2 million in thirty cases, fourteen of which the recovery was over $5 million, eight of which the amount was greater than $8.5 million, and three where his clients received more than $10 million
- In Auer v
- State of New York, Mike won a $19.1 million verdict which The New York Law Journal stated was “at least $7 million” larger than any verdict ever rendered in the Court of Claims.” In 2001 the Appellate Division upheld and increased that judgment to $19.85 million, making it by far the largest personal injury judgment ever upheld by the Third Judicial Department, one of the largest ever upheld in New York State, and one of the few cases of this magnitude where the damages were increased on appeal
- The Albany Times Union described Holt v
- AMCH as “the largest award…in a medical malpractice suit in [Albany] county’s history…” The New York Law Journal called Cole v
- State of New York “the largest malpractice judgment ever awarded against the State in the Court of Claims.” In 1995, Mr. Kessler tried a medical case in Pennsylvania for a month before it was settled for an amount reported to be the largest malpractice settlement ever paid in that state
- Mike has been an invited to lecture to legal, judicial and medical audiences in twelve different states, three foreign countries, and five international cities
- He has given Grand Rounds for the Department Obstetrics and Gynecology at Albany Medical Center Hospital, He has been invited to lecture at the Albany Law School, and for American Association for Justice (AAJ), North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS),New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYTSLA), Brain Injury Association (BIA), Brain Injury Society of New York State (BIANYS) and Capital District Trial Lawyers among a number of other professional organizations
- Mr. Kessler has also appeared as a guest commentator on personal injury law on Court TV, and his articles have been published in Trial Magazine and Trial Lawyers Quarterly
- He is a recognized authority on Article 50-A and 50-B of the CPLR and his 1990 monograph on this subject correctly predicted the eventual Court of Appeals decisions on the effect of inflation on plaintiff’s recoveries
- His 1997 post graduate article on the use of scientific literature at trial was published in the Albany Law Review
- Mike has made presentations on the life expectancy of catastrophically injured children both at NYU Hospital and at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
- He has spoken on the life expectancy defense before the Australian Lawyers Alliance, the Queensland Australia Law Society, The Pan European Organization of European Lawyers (PEOPLE) Joint Conference, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, BIA, AAJ, NABIS, and BIANYS, and the Birth Trauma Litigation Group of AAJ
- His chapter on this subject appears in the textbook “Pediatric Life Care Planning and Case Management.” Mr. Kessler also has presented to a national conference of emergency medicine physicians on avoiding malpractice claims in the ER, and in 2012 he was the primary author of the first comprehensive law review analysis of the New York State Medical Indemnity Fund, “The New York State Medical Indemnity Fund: Rewarding Tortfeasors Who Cause Birth Injuries, by Rationing Care to Their Victims,” published in the Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology
- Mike has also been invited to speak to the New York State Office of Court Administration and the Association of Supreme Court Justices of New York State on structured settlements
- His book, Protecting the Catastrophically Injured Personal Injury Plaintiff’s Recovery: The Benefits and Risks of Structured Settlements and Their Alternatives in a Changing Economy, was published in 2010 by the New York State Bar Association
- Mr. Kessler is admitted to practice in New York and Pennsylvania, as well as the United States Supreme Court
- He is a Diplomate of the National College of Advocacy
- Mike is a member of AAJ and served as Chairman of their Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group as well as on the Executive Board of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group
- He is a Charter Member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers and currently serves on its Board of Directors
- He was previously elected to the House of Delegates of NYBSA and was a Director of the Capital Region Affiliate of NYTSLA
- He is a member of BIA, NABIS, and served on the Board of Directors of BIANYS
- Mike is also a proud member of the Association of Surfing Lawyers
Practice Areas Explained
Michael W. Kessler's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael W. Kessler handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Troy.
Medical Malpractice in Troy
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Michael W. Kessler is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in New York →
Personal Injury in Troy
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Michael W. Kessler is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in New York →
Product Liability in Troy
Michael W. Kessler is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in New York →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Troy
Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Troy are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Troy Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Troy-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Troy or all attorneys in New York.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Michael W. Kessler
Where is Michael W. Kessler's law office located?
What practice areas does Michael W. Kessler handle?
How long has Michael W. Kessler practiced law?
Where did Michael W. Kessler go to law school?
How can I contact Michael W. Kessler for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Michael W. Kessler received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Troy Choose Michael W. Kessler
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael W. Kessler's practice in the field of medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Michael W. Kessler brings 53+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in New York, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, and U.S. Tax Court, Michael W. Kessler can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability, Michael W. Kessler can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Troy
A Troy-based practice means Michael W. Kessler attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Michael W. Kessler Handles in Troy
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Michael W. Kessler has experience with under New York law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Michael W. Kessler directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Michael W. Kessler Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Troy commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Michael W. Kessler.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Michael W. Kessler directly.
Michael W. Kessler's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Michael W. Kessler
No reviews yet.