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Did you ever wonder what made us decide to become lawyers? Maybe you wondered what we do when we’re not practicing law? Welcome to the latest post from our “Get to Know Us” series, featuring different members of our MCCM team, where we answer those questions. Our next post features Mikal J. Kruger

Why did you become a lawyer?

My grandfather was an attorney and judge in Niagara County, so I have always been interested in legal work since a young age, however, my plan was to become a high school social studies teacher. As a sophomore at Canisius College, I took a constitutional law course as an elective. I was fascinated with the legal arguments in the cases we studied. The professor was a practicing attorney and his insights into the practice of law opened my eyes to being a lawyer. I knew then that my future was in the legal system, not in the classroom.

What do you do?

My practice includes a focus on real estate and bankruptcy, and since joining MCCM, I have been expanding my practice into zoning and land use as well. Buying and selling a home is one of the biggest moments in life, and I thoroughly enjoy helping clients along their real estate journey. I have been working in real estate long enough to have seen both sides, from a buyer’s market after the 2008 housing crisis where short sales were not uncommon, to the current seller’s market where a substantial increase in real estate prices is occurring throughout upstate.  

Assisting clients with debt relief is a major part of my practice. Bankruptcy is not a ‘scarlet letter’, it is a constitutionally guaranteed federal debt relief program used by millions of people each year – even Walt Disney and Mark Twain filed during their lifetimes.  There are 2 types – straight chapter 7, what everyone thinks of when they think of bankruptcy, and reorganizations under chapters 11 or 13, with repayment of a reduced percentage over time, usually without interest. From overburdened consumers to small businesses, I take pride in helping eliminate or readjust debts so clients can move forward with their financial lives.    

What work are you most proud of?

The smile of someone who has just closed on their first home is as bright as the smile of someone who has just received their bankruptcy discharge. I am most proud of assisting hundreds of people over the years with their legal needs and leaving them in a better place when our work is done.  

Tell us a little known fact about you.

I was part of the major renovations of the Smith Opera House in Geneva during the 1990s while working for my father’s electrical contracting business, Carroll & Keavney Electric. I won the 2014 My Football Fantasy Buffalo Bills chicken wing eating contest featuring Fred Jackson, Brian Moorman, Cordy Glenn, Doug Legursky, Kraig Urbik and Aaron Williams. The event was hosted by former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

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About MCCM

McConville Considine Cooman & Morin, P.C. is a full-service law firm based in Rochester, New York, providing high-quality legal services to businesses and individuals since 1979.  With over a dozen attorneys and a full paralegal support staff, the firm is well-positioned to right-size services tailored to each client. We are large enough to provide expertise in a broad range of practice areas, yet small enough to devote prompt, personal attention to our clients.

We represent a diverse range of clients located throughout New York State and New England.  They include individuals, numerous manufacturing and service industry businesses, local governments, and health care professionals, provider groups, facilities and associations. We also serve as local counsel to out-of-state clients and their attorneys who have litigation pending in Western New York courts.  For more information, please contact us at 585.546.2500.