Atty. Michael Whiteman

Atty. Michael Whiteman

One of the founding members of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, Michael Whiteman serves as the head of the Firm's Energy and Telecommunications Practice Group. Mr.

Albany Albany 62 yrs experience 62 year
Call (518) 487-7738 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Michael Whiteman at a glance

Michael Whiteman is a Senior Counsel based in Albany, New York, practicing at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP. They have 62+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1964. Their practice focuses on business, government, and energy. Admitted to practice in New York (1964). Educated at Harvard Law School (LL.B., 1962) and Harvard College (A.B., 1959). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Albany, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • One of the founding members of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, Michael Whiteman serves as the head of the Firm's Energy and Telecommunications Practice Group
  • Mr. Whiteman regularly represents a variety of clients, including energy and telecommunications companies, before the New York State Public Service Commission and other State regulatory agencies on a wide range of regulatory, rate, siting and government contract and procurement issues
  • Mr. Whiteman also has an active practice in corporate organization and transactions and in business, professional and governmental ethics and responsibility
  • Prior to founding Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, Mr. Whiteman served as counsel to Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller and Governor Malcolm Wilson from 1971 to 1974
  • He worked as an adjunct professor at Albany Law School in 1977, and he sat on the New York State Law Revision Committee
  • Representative Accomplishments Provide organizational, corporate, tax, finance and general business and regulatory advice to the New York Independent System Operator
  • Provided significant right-to-build advice to developers and lenders in connection with planning, construction and financing of shopping center and electric generating projects, including review and renegotiation of contracts for fuel, transmission and sale of power output
  • Represented transmission companies in administrative and judicial proceedings in connection with State and local approvals of interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.Represented numerous municipalities in connection with siting of electric generating facilities
  • Represented numerous municipalities in tax certiorari proceedings involving utility, commercial and industrial properties, including landmark litigation and legislative enactments with respect to the taxation of utility property located in public rights-of-way
  • Provided advice and counsel and representation before State and local administrative agencies and courts for numerous telecommunications carriers with respect to siting and construction of communications facilities
  • Provide general counsel in New York to a regional cellular telephone carrier, including representation with respect to telecommunications and local land use and building
  • Provide general counsel to a municipal group self insurance association comprised of over 400 local governmental entities
  • Provide regular counsel to numerous tax exempt not-for-profit corporations on a range of corporate, tax and regulatory matters
  • Affiliations An active member of the New York State Bar Association, Mr. Whiteman is a member and past chair of that Association’s Committee on Professional Ethics, and chaired its Special Committee to Study Issues Affecting Same-Sex Couples
  • Professional/Community A resident of downtown Albany with his wife Margery for more than 50 years, Mr. Whiteman is a former chair of the boards of Capital Roots, f/k/a Capital District Community Gardens, Albany Pro Musica, the region’s leading choral group, WMHT Educational Telecommunications and the Albany Academy for Girls and is a former member of the board of such organizations as the Albany Symphony, the Albany Institute of History and Art and the Historic Albany Foundation
  • He currently serves as a director of Albany Pro Musica and Capital Roots and is a member of the bass section of Albany Pro Musica and an avid community gardener
  • Background/Education Mr. Whiteman graduated from Harvard College, magna cum laude, and from Harvard Law School, cum laude

Practice Areas Explained

Michael Whiteman's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael Whiteman handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Michael Whiteman is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in New York →

Government & Administrative Law

Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.

Michael Whiteman is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in New York →

Energy & Utilities Law

Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.

Michael Whiteman is one of 36,230 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in New York →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in New York

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 Albany 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 andnue, 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.

Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Albany or all attorneys in New York.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Michael Whiteman

Where is Michael Whiteman's law office located?
Michael Whiteman's law practice is located in Albany, New York. The firm is Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michael Whiteman handle?
Michael Whiteman focuses on business, government, energy. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New York.
How long has Michael Whiteman practiced law?
Michael Whiteman has 62+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1964.
Where did Michael Whiteman go to law school?
Michael Whiteman earned their education at (LL.B., 1962); (A.B., 1959).
How can I contact Michael Whiteman for a consultation?
You can contact Michael Whiteman directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Michael Whiteman received?
Michael Whiteman's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

LL.B.
Harvard Law School
- 1962
A.B.
Harvard College
- 1959

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

New York
Admitted: 1964

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