Michele Mirman: Five Decades of Championing Justice and Modernizing Civil Law
Michele Mirman, Founding Partner of Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C., has spent nearly five decades on the front lines of civil justice, dedicating her career to uplifting the vulnerable, advocating for reform, and holding negligent parties accountable. From modernizing antiquated New York state legislation to fiercely supporting female survivors of abuse and medical malpractice, Mirman’s work has had a profound and lasting impact on countless lives. She represents anyone hurt by negligence and helps them navigate such life-altering turmoil with both wisdom and compassion. This is her story.
A Lifelong Pursuit of Social Justice: Early Influences
Michele Mirman’s commitment to social justice was ignited early in life, nurtured by her parents’ unwavering dedication to progressive causes. She recalls her mother’s fervent support for Adlai Stevenson, admiring his commitment to ethical governance and rooting out corruption. Similarly, her father’s involvement with the Lawyers Guild of New York exposed her to the importance of legal advocacy for marginalized communities. These formative experiences instilled in her a deep-seated sense of responsibility to fight for what is right, regardless of the challenges.
“My parents instilled in me a deep sense of social responsibility. They showed me that it’s not enough to simply live your life; you have to actively work to make the world a better place,” Mirman reflects.
From Advocacy to Law: Embracing the Legal Profession
Driven by her passion for social justice, Mirman pursued a legal education, choosing the Antioch School of Law (now the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law) for its progressive approach and commitment to poverty law. The school’s founding deans, Jean Camper Cahn and Edgar Cahn, envisioned a law school intimately connected with a poverty law firm, bridging the gap in legal representation for low-income individuals. This unique environment solidified Mirman’s commitment to serving those most in need.
At Antioch, Mirman honed her legal skills and gained practical experience representing indigent clients. She witnessed firsthand the systemic inequalities that permeated the legal system and resolved to dedicate her career to fighting for a more just and equitable society.
Returning to New York: Championing the Cause
<
After completing her legal studies, Mirman returned to her home state of New York and began working for a personal injury law firm actively involved in the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA). This position provided her with a platform to advocate for legal reform and to champion the rights of injured individuals.
Early in her career, Mirman became deeply involved in efforts to modernize New York’s wrongful death statute. At that time, the statute, which dated back to 1847, limited recovery to pecuniary loss, primarily the financial contributions the deceased would have made to their survivors. This outdated framework failed to recognize the emotional and intangible losses suffered by grieving families, particularly in cases involving non-wage-earning individuals, such as homemakers or young children.
Modernizing Wrongful Death Law: A Persistent Fight
“The wrongful death statute was a relic of a bygone era,” Mirman explains. “It reflected a time when only propertied men were recognized as having economic value. It completely disregarded the contributions of women, children, and other marginalized groups.”
For decades, Mirman has been a tireless advocate for reforming New York’s wrongful death statute, working closely with NYSTLA to promote legislation that would recognize the full extent of the harm suffered by surviving family members. As President of NYSTLA from 2019 to 2020, she spearheaded efforts to pass the Grieving Families Act (GFA), which would have expanded financial recovery to include emotional damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of companionship.
While the Grieving Families Act faced significant opposition and was ultimately vetoed by the governor, Mirman remains undeterred in her commitment to reforming the law. She continues to work with lawmakers and advocates to craft legislation that will provide meaningful relief to grieving families and ensure that New York’s wrongful death statute reflects the realities of the 21st century.
Confronting Sexual Abuse: A Trailblazing Victory
Mirman’s impact on the legal landscape extends beyond legislative reform. In the early 1980s, she achieved a groundbreaking victory in a case involving a woman who had been raped in her own home. At that time, “rape trauma syndrome” (RTS) was not yet recognized by the psychological community or the legal system. Mirman faced an uphill battle to convince the court that her client had suffered a legitimate injury.
“I had to call upon psychiatrists and psychologists to testify that such a syndrome existed and to validate my client’s symptoms,” Mirman recalls. “It was a challenge to persuade the judge that RTS was a real and compensable injury.”
Despite the obstacles, Mirman successfully argued that her client had suffered significant psychological trauma as a result of the rape, laying the groundwork for future cases involving sexual assault survivors. This victory helped pave the way for the widespread recognition of RTS as a legitimate and diagnosable condition, transforming how the legal system treats victims of sexual violence.
Addressing Medical Malpractice: Protecting Women’s Health
Another area of profound concern for Mirman is the systemic bias that often permeates the medical profession, leading to inadequate care for women. She has observed that women’s health concerns are frequently dismissed or downplayed by doctors, resulting in delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes.
“There is a persistent tendency to trivialize women’s health concerns,” Mirman explains. “Too often, doctors attribute women’s symptoms to stress, anxiety, or hormonal imbalances, failing to conduct the necessary tests to identify underlying medical conditions.”
Mirman has taken on numerous medical malpractice cases on behalf of women, seeking to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for their actions. These cases often involve allegations of delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cancer, heart disease, and other serious conditions.
Through her work, Mirman strives to raise awareness of the biases that women face in the healthcare system and to advocate for more equitable and attentive medical care for all.
Mirman, Markovits & Landau: A Firm Built on Compassion and Excellence
Mirman’s dedication to her clients and her passion for social justice are reflected in the values of her law firm, Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. The firm is committed to providing compassionate and skilled legal representation to individuals who have been injured or wronged, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The attorneys at Mirman, Markovits & Landau possess extensive experience in a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. They are known for their meticulous preparation, their persuasive advocacy, and their unwavering dedication to achieving the best possible outcome for their clients.
Empowering Future Generations: Mentorship and Leadership
Beyond her legal practice, Mirman is also committed to mentoring young lawyers and fostering the next generation of legal leaders. She actively participates in bar associations and other professional organizations, sharing her expertise and providing guidance to aspiring attorneys. She is particularly passionate about supporting women in the legal profession, advocating for gender equality and promoting opportunities for advancement.
Mirman’s leadership extends beyond the legal community. She is actively involved in various civic and charitable organizations, working to improve the lives of those in need. Her commitment to public service has earned her numerous accolades and recognitions, solidifying her legacy as a champion of justice and a force for good in the world.
The Partnership with Esquire Bank: Aiding in the Fight for Justice
Michele S. Mirman has found the resources to battle for her clients through her parntership with Esquire bank, a commercial bank. She explains that through this partnership she can make sure that each case has a professional fighting to receive just compensation from a negligent party.
Looking to the Future: A Continued Commitment to Justice
As she reflects on her remarkable career, Michele Mirman remains as committed as ever to fighting for justice and advocating for those who have been harmed. She is inspired by the resilience and courage of her clients and is determined to continue making a positive impact on the legal system and the lives of those she serves. She values her community greatly and hopes for them to continue to grow.
“I believe that the law has the power to transform lives and to create a more just and equitable society,” Mirman concludes. “I am honored to have had the opportunity to play a role in that transformation, and I look forward to continuing that work for many years to come.”
