Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

Michael specializes in workers' compensation law and is the head of Sawaya, Rose & Kaplan's workers' compensation, social security & veteran disability departments. He is the second youngest partner in his Firm's 32 year history.  Michael has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University. Michael is licensed to practice law in both Colorado and Michigan. Michael is a board member of the Colorado Bar Association Workers' Compensation Section, Professionals in Workers' Compensation Association and the Workers' Compensation Education Association.  Michael is a Fellow of the CBA Foundation; less than one percent of all active Colorado attorneys are honored by being made a Fellow.  Michael was honored with the 2008 PWC Outstanding Claimants Attorney award, 2009 PWC President's Award and has been recognized by The National Institute for Trial Advocacy and by the Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation for his service on the 2006 & 2008 Medical Treatment Guidelines Task Force.  Michael has also assisted the Division of Workers' Compensation with developing and revising the Workers' Compensation Rules of Procedure. Michael has given numerous presentations to help educate the Workers' Compensation community on behalf of the Nation Business Institute, Colorado Bar Association, Workers' Compensation Education Association and the Professionals in Workers' Compensation Association.

Birth Injuries

Brain Injury

Dangerous Medicines

Medical Malpractice

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Personal Injury

Products Liability

Social Security Disability

Workers' Compensation

Wrongful Death

Areas of Practice

• Workers' Compensation 100%

West Practice Categories

State & Municipal Employees, Workers' Compensation Appeals

Bar Admissions

• Michigan, 2000
• Colorado, 2001
• U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2002

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Workers' Compensation Education Association 2008-2009 Vice President & Board Member since 2004
• Professionals in Workers' Compensation Association 2009 Vice President & Board Member, 2004 - 2005
• Colorado Bar Association's, Workers' Compensation Section Board Member since 2005 & Former CBA WC Sec. Chairperson
• Former CBA WC Sec. Board of Governor

Honors and Awards

• Professionals In Workers' Compensation "2007 Outstanding Claimant's Attorney Award"
• Professionals In Workers' Compensation "2008 President's Award", March 6, 2009 - Present
• Recognized by National Institute for Trial Advocacy

Classes and Seminars

• Professionals in Workers' Compensation Association 2008 presenter, 2004
• Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education-Fall Workers Compensation Update, Faculty, October 14, 2005 - 2005
• Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education-Workers' Compensation Update, Faculty/Presenter, May 18, 2006 - Present
• Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education-Fall Workers' Compensation Update, Faculty/Presenter, October 6, 2007 - Present
• Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education-Workers' Compensation: Rules and Procedures for Legal Support Staff, Faculty/Presenter, November 14, 2007 - Present
• Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education-Fall Workers Compensation Update, Planning Committee/Presenter, October 12, 2007 - Present
• Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education-Spring Workers Compensation Update, Planning Committee, March 14, 2008 - Present
• Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education-Fall Workers Compensation Update, Planning Committee/Presenter, October 17, 2008 - Present
• Kiva Workers' Compensation Seminars 2008 presenter
• National Business Institute Presenter on Workers' Compensation 2006 & 2007

Past Employment Positions

• Bendinelli Law Office, Attorney, 2001 - 2002

Education

• Michigan State University, Detroit College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan
  J.D.
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  B.A.
  Honors: Dean's List
  Major: Psychology

Fraternities/Sororities

• Delta Tau Delta

Address

1600 Ogden Street
Denver, CO 80218

Phones

(303) 839-1600

Faxes

(303) 832-7102

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.sawayalaw.com