Michael E. Botnick

Member

201 St. Charles Avenue
40th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70170-4000

Main: 504.582.1111

Direct: 504.679.9814

mbotnick@gordonarata.com

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Michael Botnick has more than 40 years of experience in commercial transactions, litigation and construction matters. A certified mediator, he is admitted to the American Arbitration Association National Roster of Arbitrators [AAA Arbitration Resume] and Mediators [AAA Mediation Resume]. He is also a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, an invitation-only organization. His practice encompasses transactions, real estate, contracts and corporate law, as well as trusts and estates.

For over 30 years, Michael has dedicated a hefty portion of his time practicing construction law for clients in the public and private sectors, an area in which he has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Peers praise his pragmatic approach to disputes and his focus on reaching the best solution for clients, whether by a negotiated settlement or litigation. The publication further states that he is “very good at breaking it down, anticipating issues before they happen and coming up with practical solutions that avoid wasting time and money.” Chambers quotes clients as saying “Michael is brilliant. He gives wonderful advice – he’s always available and is wonderful at building client relationships.” Michael is also listed in the A.M. Best’s Directory of Insurance Professionals.

From 1994-2003, Michael served as Deputy City Attorney for the City of New Orleans. In that capacity, he was responsible for the negotiation, drafting and preparation of all public bid, professional, and personal service contracts for the City. He also assisted all City departments in the drafting of contracts and served in an advisory capacity to these departments. During this time, he chaired the committee responsible for reviewing all contracts, leases, capital projects and professional and personal service contracts for compliance with policy and legal requirements before submission for the Mayor’s consideration and signature. From 1993-1994, Michael served as Director of Economic Development for the City of New Orleans. He was the City’s Lead Counsel for the 1988 Republican National Convention, the Pope John Paul II visit, the Harrah’s Casino project and in various complex and high-profile state and federal litigation matters.

Practice Areas

Arbitration & Mediation
Commercial Financing & Secured Transactions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Transactions
Construction
Corporate and Securities Litigation
Corporate Entity Formation, Governance and General Advice
Government Regulatory & Corporate Compliance
Insurance
Litigation
Real Estate
Renewable Energy
Trusts & Estates

Admissions
  • Louisiana
  • U.S. Supreme Court
Experience

  • Ariyan, Inc. v. Sewerage & Water Bd. of New Orleans, 29 F.4th 226 (5th Cir. 2022), cert. denied, No. 22-52, 2022 U.S. LEXIS 4638 (U.S. Oct. 17, 2022).
  • Land Coast Insulation, Inc. v. Gootee Constr., Inc., 2021 La. App. LEXIS 1329, 2021 WL 4350221 (La.App. 4 Cir., Sept. 24, 2021), rehearing granted, 2021 La. App. LEXIS 1808, 2021 WL 5629912 (La.App. 4 Cir., Dec. 1, 2021), writ denied, 2022 La. LEXIS 459 (La., Feb. 22, 2022).
  • Gootee Construction, Inc. v. Atkins, 2015-0376 (La. App. 4 Cir. 12/21/16), 207 So.3d 485, writ denied, 2017-0138 (La. 3/31/17).
  • J. Caldarera & Co. v. St. James Parish Hosp. Serv. Dist., 28 So. 3d 1112, (5th Cir. 2009).
  • Haspel & Davis Milling v. Board of Levee Commissioners, 493 F.3d 570 (5th Cir. 2007).
  • Civil Service Commission of The City of New Orleans v. The City of New Orleans, No. 02-C-1912 c/w 02-C-1815 (La. 9/9/03).
  • Times Picayune Publishing Corporation v. The City of New Orleans, 760 So.2d 375 (La. App. 4 Cir. 2/23/00).
  • Louisiana Landmark Society, Inc. v. The City of New Orleans, 85 F.3d 1119 (5th Cir. 1996).
  • Missouri Pacific Railroad Company v. City of New Orleans, 46 F.3d 487 (5th Cir. 1995).

Education

Tulane University, J.D. 1975
University of New Orleans, 1972

Recognition

  • Chambers USA – Louisiana, Construction Law, 2010 to Present | Real Estate, 2024 to present
  • 2026 Legal 500 New Orleans Elite Guide- Commercial Disputes
  • The Best Lawyers in America® for Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Real Estate, and Real Estate Law (listed in publication since 2017)
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers list (2024 – 2016)
  • Appointed as an “Assigned Neutral” pursuant to a Case Management Order (“CMO”) executed by the Judges of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans
  • Charter Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
  • Recipient of the New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law Award, 2019
  • Diversity Law Institute’s “Diversity Award,” 2018
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2013 to Present
  • New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyer – Construction Law
  • Rated Martindale-Hubbell® A-V Preeminent™
  • Listed in A.M. Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorney

 

Affiliations

PROFESSIONAL
Member, Trial Law Institute
Member, Diversity Law Institute
American Arbitration Association
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Louisiana State Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association
New Orleans Academy of Trial Attorneys
CIVIC
Anti-Defamation League – Honorary Life Member of the National Commission, Past Chair and Honorary Board Member of the Southcentral Region
Jewish Children Regional Service Endowment – Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Honorary

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