Michael F. Schaff is co-chair of the Corporate, Health, and Cannabis Law practice groups and a member of the Management Committee at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. Mr. Schaff’s professional mission is to provide his clients with the most comprehensive and well-heeled advice in the dynamic and complex world of healthcare and corporate law. In addition to a robust private practice spanning over 35 years, Mr. Schaff, having served as outside general corporate counsel for many privately held companies, brings to the table a multi-faceted understanding of the law, as well as a unique educational and professional background rooted in business, finance, and taxation. The depth of his experience enables Mr. Schaff to assist his clients in evaluating both the legal and business ramifications of many transaction, contract, agreement or negotiation.
Mr. Schaff leads a team of healthcare and corporate lawyers who are regularly engaged to handle the following types of matters:
Mr. Schaff has received numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious David J. Greenburg Service Award from the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) in 2018. Chambers USA has ranked him as Band 1 among healthcare attorneys in New Jersey since 2011, including as the sole "Star Individual" for Healthcare in New Jersey since 2020. Mr. Schaff has been included on the Best Lawyers in America list since 2003, including as "Lawyer of the Year” for Business Organizations in 2021, "Lawyer of the Year" for Health Care Law in 2012, 2016-2018, and 2024 and in 2023 for Corporate Law. He has also been included in the New Jersey Super Lawyers list since its inception in 2005 and in the “Top 100” list for 2007-2015 and 2017-2022.
Chambers USA® (https://chambers.com/about-us/methodology) is published by Chambers and Partners.
Super Lawyers® (http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process_detail.html) is published by Thomson Reuters.
Best Lawyers in America® (https://www.bestlawyers.com/methodology) is published by Best Lawyers.
A description of the selection processes may be accessed via the above links. The aforementioned organizations are private peer review organizations, not court-specific, public certification vehicles. No aspect of this advertisement has been submitted to or approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Mr. Schaff’s immersive approach extends well beyond “office hours,” enabling him to participate at the forefront of healthcare and corporate law and stay abreast of industry developments that he can employ to create options and opportunities for his clients. Mr. Schaff is an AHLA Fellow and an active member, having served in a number of the organization’s leadership positions including as a member of its Board of Directors as well as the Executive and Finance Committees, and as chair of the Physician Organizations Practice Group. In addition, Mr. Schaff led the team planning for the AHLA’s Physicians and Hospital Law Institute from 2014 to 2016 and for the AHLA’s Fundamentals of Law Program from 2010 to 2012.
His prolific authorship and publications have educated and influenced lawyers and healthcare professionals alike. Mr. Schaff has served on the Advisory Board and Editorial Board of several prominent business, legal and healthcare industry publications, including AHLA Journal of Health & Life Sciences Law, Bloomberg Law Health Law and New Jersey Lawyer Magazine. In addition, he serves as co-author of the New Jersey Law Journal monthly column on the impacts of legal cannabis on New Jersey businesses in all industry sectors. Previously, he served as special editor of New Jersey Lawyer Magazine's issues on Internet and Social Media Law (2019), Cannabis Law (2018), Business Law (2014), Gaming Law (2013), Non-Profit Law (2010), Internet Law (2008), Patients’ Rights and Health Law (2007). He authored several editions of AHLA Fundamentals of Law chapter entitled “Representing Physicians,” and dozens of other articles, including “Summary of Selected New Jersey Laws,” published in State Fraud and Abuses Statutes & Regulations; “Telemedicine and the Impediments Facing Effective Implementation,” published in Physician Organizations Newsletter; "The Corporate Practice of Medicine: Still Alive and Kicking," published in BNA Health Law Reporter; “50 State Fraud and Abuse Survey,” published in Fraud & Abuse Practice Group; and “Common Arrangements with Physicians,” published in Representing Hospitals and Health Systems Handbook.
Mr. Schaff’s unique experience and commitment to healthcare law have made him a much sought-after speaker both at the local and national levels. Involved in the education of the next generation of healthcare lawyers, Mr. Schaff regularly speaks at numerous AHLA seminars around the country. In addition, he frequently presents at conferences for the New Jersey State Bar Association Health Law Section, the New Jersey Medical Group Management Association, the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and at the Louisiana State Bar Association Health Law Section Annual Symposium in New Orleans. Mr. Schaff has also spoken at numerous conferences and webinars on Cannabis law, including in New Orleans, Puerto Rico and Key West.
Mr. Schaff is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (formerly UMDNJ), at St. John’s University, and on the Advisory Board of Seton Hall Law School’s Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy.
Chambers USA® (https://chambers.com/about-us/methodology) is published by Chambers and Partners.
Super Lawyers® (http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process_detail.html) is published by Thomson Reuters.
Best Lawyers in America® (https://www.bestlawyers.com/methodology) is published by Best Lawyers.
The New Jersey Law Journal "New Jersey Trailblazers" list is published by ALM Media Properties, LLC. Selection was via a nomination process of “professionals who have made significant marks on the practice, policy and technological advancement of their practice.” Access their selection process at: https://images.law.com/media/newjerseylawjournal/supplements/NJLJTB_2020/mobile/index.html.
A description of the selection processes may be accessed via the above links. The aforementioned organizations are private peer review organizations, not court-specific, public certification vehicles. No aspect of this advertisement has been submitted to or approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
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Rankings Disclaimers
Chambers USA® (https://chambers.com/about-us/methodology) is published by Chambers and Partners.
Super Lawyers® (http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process_detail.html) is published by Thomson Reuters.
Best Lawyers in America® (https://www.bestlawyers.com/methodology) is published by Best Lawyers.
The New Jersey Law Journal "New Jersey Trailblazers" list is published by ALM Media Properties, LLC. Selection was via a nomination process of “professionals who have made significant marks on the practice, policy and technological advancement of their practice.” Access their selection process at: https://images.law.com/media/newjerseylawjournal/supplements/NJLJTB_2020/mobile/index.html.
A description of the selection processes may be accessed via the above links. The aforementioned organizations are private peer review organizations, not court-specific, public certification vehicles. No aspect of this advertisement has been submitted to or approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.