Michael Rikon passed away on April 24, 2024.

Michael was a well-respected member of the legal community. He began his law career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of New York in 1969. He was a trial attorney in the Condemnation Division of the New York City Law Department until 1973. From 1973 to 1980, Michael served as a law clerk to the Honorable Albert A. Blinder of the New York State Court of Claims. Michael then had a successful practice that focused on condemnation, eminent domain, real estate, and litigation in the Court of Claims from 1980 until he merged his firm with Samuel Goldstein and Sons in 1995. He practiced condemnation and eminent domain law exclusively after the firms were merged.

Michael wrote many scholarly papers, authored a column in the New York Law Journal, and was a frequent lecturer on topics relating to eminent domain law. He was the New York State designated eminent domain attorney for Owners’ Counsel of America, an association of attorneys who are dedicated to assisting property owners in eminent domain and takings cases nationwide. He received various professional recognitions and awards and was a member of several bar associations.  He obtained a CRE designation from The Counselors of Real Estate, and he was a member of Scribes, the American Society of Legal Writers.

Michael was also active in the communities where he lived.  He served as president of the Village Greens Homeowners’ Association, chairman of the Board of the Arden Heights Jewish Center, and president of the North Shore Republican Club. He also served on the Zoning Committee of his Community Board and the Board of his co-op apartment building.