JUSTICE JOHN A. MICHALEK, is a graduate of Canisius Collage and the University of Albany Law School (Union College). He was first elected to the Supreme Court in 1994 and re-elected in November, 2009.

Justice Michalek has been no stranger to Commercial Law, cutting his teeth, long before there was a Commercial Part and Commercial Division since almost his first year on the bench, for example, BDO Siedman v Hirshberg, 93 NY2d 382. Later, even after the formation of the Commercial Division, Justice Michalek for some years has volunteered to receive commercial cases resulting from conflicts with the presiding Justice therein.

Justice Michalek was an Assistant District Attorney in Erie County (1977-1985), while there was the Chief of the Justice Court Bureau (1982-1985); Municipal Counsel Township of Hamburg (1988-1993), Interim Supervisor Township of Hamburg (1993), Town Attorney Township of Hamburg (1994). He was a founding Senior Partner at the Law Firm of Michalek, Villarini and Henry from 1985-1994. He also was the School Attorney for St. Francis High School/Athol Springs, New York from 1991-1994.

Justice Michalek is a member of The New York State-Federal Judicial Counsel and Advisory Committee, The American Judge's Association, New York State Bar Association, Erie County Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Police and Judge's Executive Conference, New York State Supreme Court Justices Association, Past President Western New York Chapter, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers as well as the Thomas Moore Guild and Advocates Club.

Justice Michalek was a featured Lecturer at the following Seminars:

"Life After Law School Basic Practice 101" for Newly Admitted Attorneys - Erie Institute of Law
"Introductory Lessons on Ethics and Civility 2011" - NYSBA CLE Program
"What Supreme Court Justices Want You to Know Conference" - The National Business Institute

His civic activities have included being a former member of the Board of Trustees Erie Community College, Vice Chair; Vice Chairman St. Francis High School Board of Trustees, St. Bernadette's Athletic Association, Canisius College Alumni Association, Albany Law School Alumni Association, Sponsor of the Dr. Leo Michalek Chapter of the St. Francis High School National Honor Society and grammar school basketball coach.