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Michael R. Glanzman
Partner / New YorkMichael R. Glanzman is a Partner in the Construction and Litigation practices of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.
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Full Bio
With many years of experience in the real estate development and construction industry, Mr. Glanzman is not only an advocate for his clients, he is an advisor who understands his clients’ business needs and works closely with them to achieve their goals. Mr. Glanzman ensures that his clients understand their legal options and potential risks. His clients frequently consult and involve him in vital business decisions.
He regularly assists a diverse set of clients, including developers, real estate owners, lenders, construction managers, general contractors and subcontractors, with all aspects of real estate development and construction, including the initial drafting and negotiation of contracts, license agreements with adjacent property owners, financing, and contract administration.
Mr. Glanzman is particularly adept at helping clients avoid unnecessary and costly litigation. However, when a dispute cannot be resolved, Mr. Glanzman is known to be an aggressive litigator who will work relentlessly to obtain a victory for his clients.
Mr. Glanzman has significant experience litigating complex commercial matters in state and federal courts as well as arbitrations and mediations. Mr. Glanzman’s involvement encompasses all phases of disputes, including pre-suit negotiations, discovery, motion practice, trial, post-judgment enforcement, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution.
In 2021, Mr. Glanzman was ranked by London-based Chambers and Partners as an “Up and Coming” attorney for Construction in New York, and in 2023 he was ranked in the Construction – New York category.
Mr. Glanzman received his B.B.A. from James Madison University in 2004 and earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2010 where he was a Human Rights Clinic participant. He is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York as well as the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey.
Mr. Glanzman is committed to pro bono representation, having successfully represented refugees with respect to applications for asylum. Most recently, Mr. Glanzman represented a Sudanese refugee in connection with his application for asylum before the United States Immigration Court. Prior to fleeing Sudan for the United States, Mr. Glanzman’s pro bono client had been arbitrarily detained, tortured and sentenced to death by the Sudanese government due solely to his Darfuri ethnicity.
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Representative Experience
- Represented general contractor client in AAA arbitration before a three-arbitrator panel in connection with a multi-million dispute. Successfully obtained an award directing payment to client including full recovery on contractor’s claim for unpaid work plus interest.
- Successfully defended high-profile interior designer client in AAA arbitration before a three-arbitrator panel resulting in favorable award denying nearly all of claimants claims.
- Represented general contractor in multi-million dollar dispute with affordable housing developer. Obtained favorable settlement including a high value monetary recovery for client after AAA mediation.
- Obtained favorable result, including the payment of damages to the client and reimbursement of client’s attorney’s fees, in an arbitration involving a preeminent New York developer arising out of a large-scale construction project in Manhattan.
- Obtained favorable resolution of complex property damage (i.e., underpinning) action on behalf of client, which included the payment of several millions of dollars to client.
- Represented international real estate developer in complex litigation against construction manager and its principals involving $20 million in breach of contract, fraud and conversion claims arising out of $100 million development project in Brooklyn, New York.
- Frequently represent owners and adjacent property owners (i.e., neighbors) in the negotiation and drafting of license agreements and disputes arising out of such agreements.
- Successfully discharged multi-million-dollar mechanic’s lien on behalf of real estate developer prior to the commencement of lien foreclosure action.
- Represented a private lender to an environmentally-sensitive property in a series of litigations with the general contractor and design engineer of an environmental remediation project. The litigations involved lien claims, breach of contract, defective construction, defective design, professional negligence, negligent misrepresentation, common law fraud, foreclosure, insurance coverage and indemnity issues.
- Represented an international conglomerate in connection with construction of a $2 billion entertainment and retail complex, water park and amusement park. Representation included drafting design, construction and supply contracts as well as binding arbitration proceedings with general contractor and subcontractor over claims for extra work.
- Obtained a favorable decision for defendant real estate developer after a bench trial in the Commercial Division of New York Supreme Court.
- Represented a New York State agency in connection with litigations arising out of public construction projects.
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Bar Admissions
New York
New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey
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Education
Undergraduate- James Madison University
Law School- Seton Hall University School of Law
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Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America: Litigation – Construction (2026)
Chambers USA – Construction – New York (2023 - 2025)
Chambers USA – Construction – Up and Coming, New York (2021-2022)
New York Super Lawyers - Rising Star (2020) -
SGR Publications
- New York Introduces Joint and Several Liability for Prime Contractors and Subcontractors for Unpaid Wage Claims
- Love Thy Neighbor? New York City’s Building Code Poses Unique Challenges for Developers
- Failure to Provide Proper Itemization Under Section 38 of the New York Lien Law Fatal to Maintaining a Mechanic’s Lien
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Press
- Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP’s Construction Group Receives Nationwide Ranking in Chambers USA 2025 Guide
- 42 Smith Gambrell Attorneys and 20 Practice Areas Recognized by Chambers USA 2025
- SGR’s Construction Group Receives Nationwide Ranking in Chambers USA 2024 Guide
- 42 SGR Attorneys and 19 SGR Practice Areas Recognized by Chambers USA 2024
- Chambers USA Guide 2023 Recognizes 44 SGR Attorneys and 18 SGR Practice Areas Among the Best in the Country
- Chambers USA Guide 2022 Recognizes 32 SGR Attorneys and 11 SGR Practice Areas Among the Best in the Country
- Chambers USA Guide 2021 Recognizes SGR Attorneys and Practice Areas Among the Best
- SGR Attorneys Named to 2020 New York-Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- Smith, Gambrell & Russell Elects 3 Attorneys to Partnership