Throughout law school, Michael Futterman volunteered as often as he could with children in the Miami area working on various HOPE projects, chairing the Canes Carnival and playing with kids at the Community Partnership for the Homeless.  He clerked with Judge Cindy Lederman in Miami dependency court and working on cases of abuse, neglect, abandonment and mistreatment.  After graduation, Michael wanted to make sure that his spirit of volunteerism had a place in his professional life.

“I was a big brother in undergrad at the University of North Carolina and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.  I wanted to do the same thing in New York but it is difficult as a young lawyer-- I didn’t want to commit to a child only to have to cancel a date because of work.”

Michael found the next best thing, the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of New York City Young Professionals Committee.  The committee consists of dedicated young professionals who may not have the time to commit to one child on a weekly basis, but would still like to do their part.  The committee volunteers its time to support Big Brothers-Big Sisters programs through fund-raisers and volunteer initiatives raising awareness and a tremendous amount of money to support the kids and their mentors.

Michael volunteered at Black Tie Casino Night, a yearly event held at Ciprianis which raised over $200,000 and he and his family participated in the Big Brothers-Big Sisters Race for the Kids.  Michael’s favorite event though, is the Gridiron Games which he has been involved with for the past three years.  Held at Giants Stadium, over 100 inner-city children and their mentors participate in drills, instruction and flag football games on the Stadium field as well as a luncheon in the Stadium press box.  In the afternoon, approximately ten New York City law firms partake in a touch football competition, which, raised over $150,000.

“It really is an amazing day.  Seeing the kids enjoy themselves and forget their problems at home is special.  I’m not going to lie either, running around on the same field where the Jets play is pretty nice for me too!”

Professionally, Michael is working at Klein Zelman Rothermel LLP, a boutique firm located in midtown Manhattan specializing in labor and employment law, marketing and communications law.  His focus is on the labor and employment side, assisting companies in all aspects of this area.

Some of his responsibilities include drafting handbooks, policies and agreements, counseling clients on hiring, discipline and termination, providing sexual harassment training, litigating employment related claims including harassment, discrimination and wrongful discharge, and resolving union issues.  “I really enjoy this area of the law and intend to practice it, in one way or another for the rest of my career.”