Michael P. Sullivan
Education.
- University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., 2007
- Fordham University, B.S. Chemistry, 1997
Admitted to practice.
- State of New York
- United States District Court—Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of New York
Memberships.
- American Bar Association
- Defense Trial Lawyers Association of Western New York—Board Member
- New York Bar Association
- Erie County Bar Association
- One Jesuit Buffalo
- Trucking Industry Defense Association
- Transportation Lawyers Association
- WNY Trial Lawyers Association—Board Member
- International Association of Defense Counsel: 2019 Graduate of the Trial Academy
Get to know Mike.
Finding clarity in the complexity.
Growing up as one of eight siblings, Mike Sullivan learned early on that having a voice was necessary—but not sufficient—to be heard. That has to be earned.
Following two brothers who became doctors, Mike initially studied chemistry at Fordham University. But while working in pharmaceutical sales after graduation, he gained real life work experience which fostered Mike’s voice for advocacy.
“It was through this experience that I started to question whether the legal system was truly fair,” Mike says. “It inspired me to pursue law, aiming to advocate for those who lacked a voice.”
The transition from the certainty of chemistry to the complexity of the law proved challenging, but during his second year at the University at Buffalo School of Law, Mike’s professor celebrated a piece of writing that read like it was from a journal article. In that moment, he found his voice—and his calling.
Contact.
Email:
msullivan@mullinsmcdonnell.com
Direct phone number:
716-936-7905
“If a reader has to pause to understand a point, the writer has lost them,” Mike says of his approach to making an argument. This commitment to clarity stems from his fundamental belief that advocacy means making complex issues accessible to everyone.
Since graduating in the top 25% of his law school class, Mike has spent 18 years building his skill in defense litigation, rising from associate to equity partner and handling everything from catastrophic transportation and construction accidents to complex premises and product liability cases. Mike’s approach to client relationships reflects the same principles that drove him to law in the first place. He gives out his cell phone number and remains available 24/7, believing that staying accessible is crucial for achieving justice.
Whether defending a Fortune 500 company or a local trucking firm, Mike maintains that the focus remains on people, and that makes it personal. From treating each client as if they are family to arguing settlements as if they were coming from his own pocket, Mike’s philosophy centers on three key qualities: integrity, commitment, and loyalty—doing the right thing for the right people the right way.
At Mullins McDonnell, Mike strives to build a firm where lawyers can perfect their craft while maintaining the authentic relationships that make legal work meaningful. His commitment to mentorship reflects his understanding that advocacy is a two-way street, teaching younger lawyers while learning from their fresh perspectives on new developments and technology.
The kid who had to earn his voice in a household of eight has spent his career ensuring others can find theirs, from the courtroom to the conference room and beyond. For Mike, when it comes to doing good business, it’s personal.
