Auburn, NY

Michael Bersani

Michael Bersani is a partner at Michaels Bersani Kalabanka, P.C., specializing in personal injury, product liability, and professional malpractice litigation in Central New York. He has been recognized multiple times as 'Lawyer of the Year' by Best Lawyers in America for personal injury and professional malpractice in the Syracuse metropolitan area. He is also listed as a 'Super Lawyer' and holds the highest 'AV' rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Bersani is an avid cyclist, fluent in Spanish and French, and has authored a book titled 'Understanding Your New York Personal Injury Claim'. He is also known for his pro bono work for immigrants and children.

Michael Bersani

Michael Bersani joined Michaels Bersani Kalabanka in 1995 after clerking for 2 years at the Appellate Division, Fourth Department. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University College of Law in 1993, where he was a law review editor and inducted into the Order of the Coif and Justinian Society, also receiving the “Scribe Award” for legal writing. He holds a Master’s degree in Spanish from Middlebury College. He is fluent in Spanish and French, and speaks basic Italian, serving many Spanish-speaking personal injury clients. Bersani has been recognized as “Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year” (2021) and “Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year” (2022, 2024) by Best Lawyers in America. He holds the highest “AV” ranking from Martindale-Hubbell and is consistently selected as a “Super Lawyer” and a “Blue Ribbon Panelist” by Super Lawyers. He is also listed in The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and is a member of the Multi-million Dollar Advocates Forum. Bersani is a Board Director of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, a respected legal writer and lecturer, and author of "Understanding Your New York Personal Injury Claim". He is also a community activist, serving on boards for the Worker Justice Center of New York, Geneva Human Rights Commission, Auburn YMCA, and Boys & Girls Club of Geneva, and was named 2009 Citizen of Year by Geneva Chamber of Commerce.

David Kalabanka

David Kalabanka is a lifelong resident of Central NY. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University School of Management and earned his law degree from Syracuse College of Law. Before joining Michaels Bersani Kalabanka, he was a partner in an insurance defense firm, gaining extensive experience in how insurance companies evaluate and defend personal injury cases. He uses this knowledge to achieve successful resolutions and large settlements for his injured clients. He has been consistently selected as a Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Magazine and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and listed in Best Lawyers in America. He is also a member of the "Rogues" network of injury lawyers, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA), the NY Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He serves as Vice President of the Upstate Chapter of NYSTLA. His favorite cases are against the State of NY in the Court of Claims, where he credits his success to careful case selection, hard work, and thoughtful judges.

Jan Smolak

Jan Smolak is originally from Auburn, New York. He graduated cum laude from the University of Buffalo in 1983 and its Law School three years later. He received the Robert J. Connolly Award for excellence in litigation advocacy. Smolak joined the firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1992. He is licensed to practice law in New York and Georgia, and admitted to federal districts in Northern and Southern New York. He has extensive experience in medical malpractice and automobile accident cases, achieving beneficial results for clients through numerous trials and settlements. Smolak is involved in community organizations, having served on the Board of Directors for the Cayuga County Community College Alumni Association (1988-1992) and Big Brother/Big Sisters of Cayuga County (1994-1996). He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Cayuga County Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout, 1978) and the Owasco Town Planning Board. He is a member of the New York, Onondaga, and Cayuga County Bar Associations, as well as the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. He has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer”.

Peter N. Littman

Peter N. Littman is a distinguished lawyer based in Ithaca, New York, with over 53 years of experience. He is a leading personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney known for his aggressive litigation skills. As founder and senior partner of Littman & Babiarz Attorneys at Law, he focuses on representing victims of motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, construction site accidents, and other negligent conduct, as well as injured workers in Workers’ Compensation cases. He has successfully brought over 50 cases to jury trial and is committed to excellent client experience and fighting against legislation that limits accident victims' rights.

Michael Bersani

Author of 'Understanding Your New York Personal Injury Claim'. Selected by Best Lawyers in America as 'Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year' for 2021 and 'Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year' for 2022 and 2024. Consistently selected as a 'Super Lawyer' in personal injury or medical malpractice.

Lee Michaels is the senior member, founder, and president of Michaels Bersani Kalabanka, P.C. He graduated from Syracuse University College of Law in 1967 and has been teaching trial practice there for almost three decades. He is recognized for his mentorship and is consistently listed in 'Best Lawyers in America' and 'Super Lawyers' for personal injury litigation.