Lawyer Mike Bersani Awarded Citizen of Year by Geneva Chamber of Commerce! Congratulations Mike! Read all about it HERE

Michaels & Smolak gives generously in time and money to its Community. We have for many years sponsored the Merry-Go-Round Theatre, the Auburn Little League team, the Owasco Flyer (bicycle race), the Matthews House (for the terminally ill), Bowl-a-Thons and other fundraisers for the local YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs and other local events. We also purchased the Auburn Little League Score Board.

In addition, each lawyer gives his personal time to the Community.

Lee Michaels has served as President of the Cayuga County United Way, is a member of the Board of the New York State United Way, a member of Hospice of the Finger Lakes, and President of Congregation B'nai Israel. He has been associated for over three decades with local athletics and has been a member of Auburn’s Great Race (believed to be the largest team triathlon in the United States) committee for over 30 years.

Jan Smolak has served on the Board of Directors for the ACC/CCC Alumni Association (1988-1992); Big Brother/Big Sisters of Cayuga County (1994-1996); Board of Directors for the Cayuga County Boy Scout Council (1996-2005; Eagle Scout, 1978; Silver Beaver, 2006); Scoutmaster of Troop 1, Auburn (2005-2007); Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Owasco (2000-2004); and Board of Directors for the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Theater (2004-present; 2nd V.P., 2007-2008).

Mike Bersani has served on the board of directors of Farm Workers' Legal Services of New York (providing free legal service to underserved agricultural workers) since 1998, has served as the chair of the Geneva Human Rights Commission, and is currently the chair of the board of directors of the Auburn YMCA,, as well as the chair of the board of directors of the Geneva Boys & Girls Club. He also volunteers for the Boys & Girls Club by organizing skating and swimming outings for the children, and taking them skating and swimming on a regular basis. He provides free legal services to many migrant farm workers. Mike is also pro bono legal counsel to the Child Care Counsel of the Fingerlakes (a not-for-profit dedicated to bettering child care in Cayuga and Seneca Counties).

David Kalabanka is currently serving as a member of the Town of Owasco Zoning Board of Appeals. David formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Cayuga County Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. David also previously served as Campaign Manager for Hon. Guy Cosentino former Mayor of the City of Auburn and served on the Mayor’s Ball Committee. From time to time, David has volunteered to assist with certain legal issues for Options of Independence and the Star Dust Foundation. During the winter months, David also volunteers time to the Auburn Hockey Club and can often be seen running the scoreboard and time clock at Casey Park (Go Ice Hawks!!!)