Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
  • Western District of New York Bankruptcy Court
  • Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

  • Albany Law School, JD
  • St. Lawrence University, BA

Professional Association

  • New York State Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Bar Association of Erie County, Member
  • Defense Research Institute – Governmental Liability Committee, Commercial Litigation and Life, Health, Disability; and ERISA Committees

Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo
  • Board of Directors, East Aurora Cooperative Market

Professional Recognition

  • Best Lawyers, Commercial Litigation, 2020
  • Super Lawyers, 2019-2024

News & Presentations

  • Lecturer and Educator for law enforcement departments on police officer use-of-force and police department policies

Michael McClaren joined Gross Shuman P.C. as a member attorney in 2025 after building a distinguished career as a Western New York litigator for nearly three decades. 

Mr. McClaren has tried cases to verdict in both State and Federal Courts, covering a wide range of matters including personal injury, civil rights and employment discrimination matters.  

He has represented school districts in disputes of almost every size and shape. He has defended school districts in employment, student discipline, defamation, breach of contract, CVA and construction disputes.

He obtained a defense verdict following a jury trial in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York on behalf of a commercial client in a Labor Law 240 case. The Plaintiff claimed disabling injuries in a fall from a ladder. The jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of Mr. McClaren’s client.  

He also tried a case on behalf of a local school district accused of age and gender discrimination, securing a verdict for the defense. 

Mr. McClaren regularly appears in both State and Federal Court. He has been recognized by his peers and Martindale-Hubbell as “Preeminent” and having the “Highest Level of Professional Excellence.”  He has also been recognized annually in the peer-driven "Best Lawyers" and "Super Lawyers" publications.

Mr. McClaren has represented HealthNow New York, Inc. (d/b/a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York) for more than 20 years in a variety of commercial and ERISA litigation matters.