Michelle M. Arbitrio, Cannabis Attorney in New York
focused on Cannabis, Employment, and General
PartneratWood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP
New, NY
Trusted cannabis attorney serving New York.
Are you Michelle M. Arbitrio?
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Quick answer
Michelle M. Arbitrio is a partner based in New York, NY. The practice focuses on Cannabis, Employment, and General. Currently practicing at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP.
- Based in
- New York, NY
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Cannabis · Employment · General
- Handles Cannabis, Employment, and General matters from New York, NY.
About Michelle M. Arbitrio: Michelle M. Arbitrio is a partner based in New York, NY. The practice focuses on Cannabis, Employment, and General. Currently practicing at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Michelle takes on
Michelle concentrates on cannabis, employment, general, litigation, and securities. Each area below outlines the kind of case Michelle handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Cannabis
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Employment
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General
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Litigation
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Securities
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Business
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Cannabis cases in New York
Michelle takes cannabis matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michelle agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in New York
Michelle takes employment matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michelle agrees to represent you.
General cases in New York
Michelle takes general matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michelle agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in New York
Michelle takes litigation matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michelle agrees to represent you.
Securities cases in New York
Michelle takes securities matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michelle agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Michelle M. Arbitrio — cannabis lawyer in New York
Michelle M. Arbitrio is a partner based in New York, NY. The practice focuses on Cannabis, Employment, and General. Currently practicing at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP.
Michelle M. Arbitrio is the Managing Partner of WSHB’s White Plains, New York, office and an accomplished trial and appellate attorney with extensive experience as a litigator in the state and federal courts of New York and Connecticut. Michelle also serves as National Trial Counsel and National Coordinating Counsel for her clients in state and federal lawsuits, multi-district litigations, FINRA arbitrations and class actions throughout the country. In her capacity as National Counsel, Michelle has handled matters in Illinois, Wisconsin, Montana, Pennsylvania, Kansas, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Kentucky, Connecticut, Maryland, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Alabama, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina and Puerto Rico.
Nationally recognized for Management, Professional and Employment Liability, Michelle counsels and defends directors and officers against claims alleging fraud, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duties, and a variety of professionals against claims based on alleged errors and omissions (E&O) in the performance of their professional services.
Michelle’s D&O work involves the defense of both for-profit and not-for-profit companies and their executives, and E&O work includes defending insurance agents and brokers, securities brokers, lawyers, and a wide range of other miscellaneous professionals. Michelle is regularly called upon to handle complex, high-stakes commercial litigation and claims involving allegations of gross negligence, fraud and malfeasance, harassment and discrimination, as well as litigation of non-solicitation/non-compete disputes involving special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”).
Michelle is currently serving as President-Elect of the Professional Liability Defense Federation, and has served in numerous other roles at PLDF over the years including: Chief Diversity Officer, Member of the Board of Directors, Secretary, Treasurer, Chair of the Insurance Agents and Brokers Committee, and Co-Chair of the Nuclear Verdicts Committee. She has been published numerous times in the New York Law Journal and other esteemed publications, and she is often consulted and quoted as an expert in business, insurance and claims publications. Michelle has received numerous awards for excellence in litigation management and client service.
Newsroom
News
•WSHB Partner Michelle Arbitrio Installed as President-Elect of the Professional Liability Defense Federation
Firm News, 9.9.25
•Understanding New York's Newest Employment Laws
Article, 1.10.24
•Michelle Arbitrio Appointed Secretary of the Professional Liability Defense Federation
Firm News, 10.2.23
•Michelle Arbitrio Named Chief Diversity Officer by Federation
Firm News, 1.20.22
•WSHB Elevates Ten Partners to Defined Equity Status
Newsroom, 1.16.20
•Powerhouse Litigator Joins WSHB as Partner
Newsroom, 2.14.18
Events, Seminars & Speaking Engagements
•'Confidence Gap or Ambition Tax? Being Your Own Best Advocate for Raises, Promotions and Career Opportunities.' Women in Insurance Leadership ExecuSummit, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT, March 15, 2023
•' An Introduction to Variable Annuities, ' Presentation for Lancer Claims Services and Calsurance, 2023
•“Social Medial Solutions for Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” Women in Insurance Leadership ExecuSummit, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT, March 9, 2022
•“The New Normal - Balancing Diversity and Inclusion Goals with Work/Life Balance,” DRI Construction Law Seminar, Austin, TX, January 26-28, 2022
•“The Coming Wave of SPAC Litigation: D&O and E&O Perspectives on the SPAC Trend,” Professional Liability Defense Federation Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, October 7, 2021
•“The Past is Prologue: The Coming Covid-19 Investor Claims Tsunami,” Professional Liability Defense Federation Annual Meeting (Virtual), October 2, 2020
•'A Discussion Regarding Insurance Agents and Brokers E&O Claims Relating to Covid-19,' ExecuSummit Webinar, July 21, 2020
•“Active Shooter: Emerging Insurance and Risk Management Perspectives,” The Institutes’ Future of Risk Virtual Conference, April 3, 2020
•'Women, Compensation and the Gender Pay Gap,' Women Leaders in Insurance ExecuSummit, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT, March 2, 2020
•“Defending Insurance Agent and Broker Failure to Procure Claims,” 13th Annual E&O Insurance ExecuSummit, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT, October 30, 2019
•“Emerging Risks for Insurance Agents and Brokers - Know Thyself and What You Sell/Buy,” Professional Liability Defense Federation Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, September 27, 2019
•“Professional, D&O and EPL Issues Relating to Mass Shootings, ” CLM’s 2019 Cyber, Management & Professional Liability Conference, Boston, MA, July 11, 2019
•“Miscellaneous Professional Liability: Insuring the New and Unknown, ” CLM Webinar Series, Jersey City, NJ, March 28, 2019
•' Tangible Strategies for Combatting Unconscious Bias in the Workplace without Risking Backlash, ” 3rd Annual Women in Insurance Leadership ExecuSummit, Uncasville, CT, March 6, 2019
•'Insurance Agents - Liability to Insurance Agents/Brokers - Life Agent Twisting Claims,' 12th Annual E&O Liability ExecuSummit, Uncasville, CT, June 20, 2018
•“Miscellaneous Professional Liability - Insuring the New and Unknown,” 11th Annual E&O Liability ExecuSummit, Uncasville, CT, June 20, 2017
•“Employment Law Update: Developments in LGBTQ Discrimination Cases,” National Employment Law Defense Counsel Summit, Philadelphia, PA, May 11, 2017
•“Drafting and Enforcing Effective Non-Compete Agreements and Trade Secret Protections,” Target Markets Program Administrators Association Annual Conference, Arlington, VA, April 19, 2016
•“Ethics and E-Discovery,” CLM Presentation, Kansas City, KS, April 13, 2015
•“Securities Update: A Discussion Regarding the New FINRA Suitability Rule, REITS, TICs and Private Placements,” CLE/CE Presentation, New York, NY, March 12, 2013
•“Securities 101: An Introduction to FINRA Arbitrations,” CLE/CE Presentation, New York, NY, October 29, 2013
•WSHB Partner Michelle Arbitrio to Moderate Session at 9th Annual Women in Insurance Leadership ExecuSummit
Speaking Engagement, Naples, FL, 3.27.26
Publications
•The Intersection of Social Media, Political Expression, and Employment Law: Navigating an Emerging Trend in Workplace Discipline
Article, 9.24.25
•Challenging FINRA's Authority: Securities Firms May Have Grounds to Contest Unilateral Expulsions
Article, 12.30.24
•Supreme Court Changes Standard for Title VII Job Transfer Discrimination Claims
Publication, 4.25.24
•NY Court Tackles Polyamorous Relationship
Article, 11.18.22
•NYC Pay Transparency Law Goes Into Effect May 15, 2022
Article, 3.23.22
•On The Basis of Sex: Supreme Court Holds that Employers Cannot Discriminate Against Employees for Being Homosexual or Transgender
Case Updates, 6.17.20
•“NYC Pay Transparency Law Goes Into Effect May 15, 2022, ” WSHB Update, March 23, 2022
•Editor: 'Insurance Coverage Issues and Current Trends in Cyber Exposures,' Professional Liability Defense Quarterly, Volume 13, Number 2, Second Quarter 2021
•Co-Author: 'Are SPACs an Emerging Area of Concern for Professional Liability E&O Exposure for FINRA Brokers and Broker-Dealers?,' Professional Liability Defense Quarterly, Volume 13, Number 2, Second Quarter 2021
•' Federal Court Guardrails Covid-19 Paid Leave: Paid Leave Expanded For New York Workers Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, ' WSHB FFRCA Employer Alert, August 26, 2020
•' Leading Out Loud: Cyber, Management, and Professional Liability, ' CLM Magazine, July 2020
•'How will COVID-19 Impact Insurance Agents/Brokers E & O; Minimizing Exposure During and After the Pandemic,' PLUS Journal, Second Quarter 2020
•' New Bill In New York Proposed for Signature by Governor Andrew Cuomo is Set To Make Employers 'SWEAT ',' WSHB Update, June 17, 2020
•' Litigation Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic: Emerging Trends in Directors and Officers and Securities Litigation, ' WSHB Covid-19 Resource, May 27, 2020
•' On The Basis of Sex: Supreme Court Holds that Employers Cannot Discriminate Against Employees for Being Homosexual or Transgender, ' WSHB Case Update, August 1, 2019
•' Under the Radar Emerging Risks, ' CLM Magazine, May 15, 2019, quoted answering the question: What do you believe are the emerging risks today?
•“Is There a Lawyer in the House? Issues Presented by Non-Lawyer Representatives in FINRA Securities Arbitrations,” CLM Litigation Management Magazine, March 6, 2017
•“Call Me, Maybe: Update Regarding Liability for Debt Collection Phone Calls Under FDCPA,” Professional Liability Advocate, February 17, 2015
•“Loophole Leaves Insurers Powerless Against Fraud,” New York Law Journal, December 1, 2014
•“A Check in the Win Column for Broker-Dealers,” Professional Liability Advocate, September 16, 2014
•“Eastern District of New York Adopts ‘Express Train’ Discovery Schedule to Ensure Expeditious Resolution of Sandy-Related Coverage Suits,” Client Alert, April 24, 2014
•“Temporary Insurance Applications and Agreements: The Impact of Material Misrepresentations in Life Insurance Applications in Coverage,” FC&S Legal, December 10, 2013
In the News
•The Intersection of Social Media, Political Expression, and Employment Law: Navigating an Emerging Trend in Workplace Discipline
•WSHB Secures Appellate Victory in Fraud-Based Annuity Dispute
•WSHB Partner Michelle Arbitrio Installed as President-Elect of the Professional Liability Defense Federation
•Connecticut Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Complex D&O Case Involving Dillon Stadium
Honors & Recognitions
•Recognized in the Empower 50 Advocates Role Model List (2023)
•Rising Star - Westchester’s 40 Under 40
How Michelle handles cannabis matters
Michelle M. Arbitrio is the Managing Partner of WSHB’s White Plains, New York, office and an accomplished trial and appellate attorney with extensive experience as a litigator in the state and federal courts of New York and Connecticut. Michelle also serves as National Trial Counsel and National Coordinating Counsel for her clients in state and federal lawsuits, multi-district litigations, FINRA…
Who Michelle represents
Michelle reviews new inquiries case-by-case for cannabis, employment, and general matters across New York.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Pace University School of Law
J.D. · 2002
Pace International Law Review, Articles Editor Providence College
B.A. · 1999
Michelle studied at J.D. in Pace University School of Law and B.A. in Pace International Law Review, Articles Editor Providence College.
Law school and academic background
Michelle completed J.D. in Pace University School of Law and B.A. in Pace International Law Review, Articles Editor Providence College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Michelle runs in New York is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Affiliations
Michelle's professional memberships and bar associations
Memberships •Professional Liability Defense Federation
PLDF), President-Elect •Claims Litigation Management (CLM), Member of Board of Directors of Professional, D&O, and Cyber Liability Committee •Breadwinners Foundation, Board of Directors •New York State Bar Association •DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar •P · membership
Locations
Michelle M. Arbitrio's office in New York
Michelle's primary office is at 685 Third Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY, 10017. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP
685 Third Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10017
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Client reviews of Michelle M. Arbitrio
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Michelle M. Arbitrio — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new cannabis attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Michelle usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Michelle charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michelle's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Michelle will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a cannabis attorney in New York
A short list to run through before you commit: How many cannabis matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Michelle
Michelle discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in cannabis practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every cannabis matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Michelle confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Michelle's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many cannabis practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Michelle M. Arbitrio
How much does it cost to hire Michelle for a cannabis case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Michelle walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Michelle offer a free consultation?
Michelle charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michelle's office. Some cannabis attorneys offer free consults — check Michelle's current terms during booking.
How long do cannabis cases in New York typically take?
Simple cannabis matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Michelle gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Michelle take my case if I'm outside New York?
Michelle is licensed in New York. Matters governed by New York law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Michelle will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Michelle?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Michelle will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Michelle accepting new cannabis clients right now?
Michelle's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Cannabis attorneys serving Albany and Brooklyn in New York
Michelle handles cannabis matters throughout New York. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified cannabis attorneys in that community.
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