Michael R. Morano
MICHAEL R. MORANO practices in the areas of construction, surety, fidelity, bankruptcy, labor, employment, commercial litigation and corporate matters. He assists clients with investigations, claims, litigations, alternative dispute resolution and transactions. Michael serves as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Construction, Fidelity & Surety Practice Group and the Firm’s Bankruptcy Group.
Michael’s surety experience includes performance bond defaults, distressed contractor transactions, bankruptcies, complex underwriting matters, M&A due diligence, bad faith claims, payment bond claims, liens, union benefits claims, and wage and hour claims, among other matters. Michael has substantial experience assisting contract sureties during all phases of a construction project, including during completion efforts. In the area of commercial surety, Michael has dealt with a variety of products and has experience handling claims and protecting the surety’s rights in connection with bankruptcy proceedings. In the area of fidelity, Michael has handled coverage determinations and litigations. Michael also regularly assists clients with salvage and subrogation issues.
In his construction practice, Michael represents owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties and insurance carriers in a variety of matters. Michael assists construction clients with lien, contract, defective work, property damage, personal injury, equitable adjustment, labor and fraud-related claims. He also provides construction clients with general advice concerning regulatory and statutory issues, and the drafting and negotiation of contracts, subcontracts, supply agreements, rental agreements and financing agreements.
In addition, Michael handles employment, commercial and business claims, matters and disputes. Michael represents employers in connection with the investigation and defense of discrimination and whistleblower claims and potential claims. Michael’s experience also includes handling various aspects of breach of contract, tortious interference, conversion, negligence, defamation, restrictive covenant, avoidance and environmental claims. Michael also assists corporate clients with matters relating to formation, the sale/purchase of assets and stock, operating agreements, leases, bankruptcies and creditor’s rights.
He is active in the Fidelity & Surety Law Committee of the American Bar Association – as he serves as a committee chair - and has authored articles and book chapters for the ABA and other industry organizations. Michael is also involved with the New Jersey Golf Foundation, the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section. He currently serves on its Board of Trustees as Secretary.
Prior to joining the Firm, Michael served a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Esther Salas of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. During this clerkship, Michael was fortunate to assist Judge Salas during the end of her tenure as U.S. Magistrate Judge and following the confirmation of Her Honor as U.S. District Judge. During law school, Michael served as an intern for the Honorable Jose L. Linares of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
- Named to the New Jersey Law Journal's 2023 "New Leaders of the Bar" List. A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolade is based can be found HERE (No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court).
- Listed in Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (2019 and 2020), a Thomson Reuters business, in the areas of Construction Litigation. A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolade is based can be found HERE (No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court).
- Listed in Best Lawyers® (2024), a Woodward/White, Inc. business and partners with U.S. News & World Report, in the area of Litigation - Construction. A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolade is based can be found HERE (No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court).
MICHAEL R. MORANO practices in the areas of construction, surety, fidelity, bankruptcy, labor, employment, commercial litigation and corporate matters. He assists clients with investigations, claims, litigations, alternative dispute resolution and transactions. Michael serves as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Construction, Fidelity & Surety Practice Group and the Firm’s Bankruptcy Group.
Michael’s surety experience includes performance bond defaults, distressed contractor transactions, bankruptcies, complex underwriting matters, M&A due diligence, bad faith claims, payment bond claims, liens, union benefits claims, and wage and hour claims, among other matters. Michael has substantial experience assisting contract sureties during all phases of a construction project, including during completion efforts. In the area of commercial surety, Michael has dealt with a variety of products and has experience handling claims and protecting the surety’s rights in connection with bankruptcy proceedings. In the area of fidelity, Michael has handled coverage determinations and litigations. Michael also regularly assists clients with salvage and subrogation issues.
In his construction practice, Michael represents owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties and insurance carriers in a variety of matters. Michael assists construction clients with lien, contract, defective work, property damage, personal injury, equitable adjustment, labor and fraud-related claims. He also provides construction clients with general advice concerning regulatory and statutory issues, and the drafting and negotiation of contracts, subcontracts, supply agreements, rental agreements and financing agreements.
In addition, Michael handles employment, commercial and business claims, matters and disputes. Michael represents employers in connection with the investigation and defense of discrimination and whistleblower claims and potential claims. Michael’s experience also includes handling various aspects of breach of contract, tortious interference, conversion, negligence, defamation, restrictive covenant, avoidance and environmental claims. Michael also assists corporate clients with matters relating to formation, the sale/purchase of assets and stock, operating agreements, leases, bankruptcies and creditor’s rights.
He is active in the Fidelity & Surety Law Committee of the American Bar Association – as he serves as a committee chair - and has authored articles and book chapters for the ABA and other industry organizations. Michael is also involved with the New Jersey Golf Foundation, the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section. He currently serves on its Board of Trustees as Secretary.
Prior to joining the Firm, Michael served a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Esther Salas of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. During this clerkship, Michael was fortunate to assist Judge Salas during the end of her tenure as U.S. Magistrate Judge and following the confirmation of Her Honor as U.S. District Judge. During law school, Michael served as an intern for the Honorable Jose L. Linares of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
- Named to the New Jersey Law Journal's 2023 "New Leaders of the Bar" List. A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolade is based can be found HERE (No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court).
- Listed in Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (2019 and 2020), a Thomson Reuters business, in the areas of Construction Litigation. A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolade is based can be found HERE (No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court).
- Listed in Best Lawyers® (2024), a Woodward/White, Inc. business and partners with U.S. News & World Report, in the area of Litigation - Construction. A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolade is based can be found HERE (No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court).
