Michael Rikon, CRE Gets the Star Treatment!

    NEW YORK, NY, April 21, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Michael Rikon, CRE has participated in The Star Treatment, a prestigious video series hosted by renowned lawyer and television personality, Star Jones. This premier video series is extremely limited — Marquis Who's Who qualifies 500 listees on an annual basis for this elite service. Backed by a storied career in media that spans more than two decades, Star works closely with Marquis listees to assist with networking goals and commemorative efforts that can be shared with a worldwide audience.

With more than 50 years of professional legal experience to his name, Mr. Rikon has built an accomplished career as a New York-based attorney whose expertise lies in eminent domain and helping everyday people take on government. Since 1994, he has excelled as a partner at Goldstein, Rikon, Rikon & Houghton, P.C., a firm in which he now works alongside his son, Joshua, who was inspired from a young age to follow in his footsteps—Mr. Rikon would take him along to impressive trials when he was a kid and then helped him study for his exams throughout law school. Prior to this appointment, he found success with a private practice from 1988 to 1994 and honed his skills as a lawyer while a partner at Rudick and Rikon, P.C. from 1980 to 1988. Before he became an attorney, Mr. Rikon navigated the industry firsthand as a law clerk to the Honorable Albert A. Blinder, a great role model and friend of his, within the New York State Court of Claims and an assistant corporate counsel for the city of New York from 1969 to 1973; a consultant for the New York State Commission on Eminent Domain from 1973 to 1975, where he helped draft the law; and a law clerk for the New York State Court of Claims from 1973 to 1980.

Mr. Rikon feels as though he had been preparing for his eventual career path his entire life. A Brooklyn native, he heard early on in life from his grandmother, his "Bubbe," these encouraging words: "He's so smart, he's going to become a criminal lawyer." He was naturally always very interested in law, but upon graduating from high school, he attended the New York Institute of Technology as an accounting major. However, he balanced his studies with a part-time job at a Certified Public Accountant firm, where he worked alongside an attorney, who further sparked his legal aspirations. "I really enjoyed the prospect of being able to help people and argue people's rights." He earned a Bachelor of Science in 1966 and then pursued his true passion at Brooklyn Law School, where he obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1969—by which point the Vietnam War was raging. Equipped with his law degree, he found that it was extremely difficult to find a position; going over his resume, interviewers would ask if he went in for military training yet, and when he told them no, they would say, "Call us when you come back." Mr. Rikon was ultimately enlisted in the SSGT 99th Signal Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve, where he served from 1969 to 1975—in the midst of sculpting his professional future.

Through academic excellence on a civil service exam, Mr. Rikon was able to land work under the guidance of legal giants in New York. Upon reflection, he noted that his road to success has been paved with preparation and hard work. As he entered into his foray, eminent domain, which deals with issues surrounding the power held by the government and other agencies to take one's property without consent, he had to focus primarily with appraisal reports and cross-examination of appraisers—which meant days and weeks of poring over reports and other information so his performance in the non-jury trials was complete and thorough. He accumulated such an expertise and grand knowledge of this legal area that his current firm solely handles these kinds of cases. He also represents the town of East Hampton and has worked diligently on controversies around access to public beaches. "When it comes to government," he said, "I think it's important for people to realize that you can fight and win city hall. I've made a very good living doing it. Don't accept what's offered to you without consulting an attorney, someone who's knowledgeable in the area, and never let anyone push you around."

Outside of the courtroom, Mr. Rikon has lent his expertise as a contributor to several professional law journals, including the New York Law Journal, and maintains an eminent domain blog titled "Bulldozers at Your Doorstep" through his firm. He has also previously contributed civically as President of the Village Greens Residents Association, President of the North Shore Republican Club, President of the community board for the Staten Island Borough, Chairman of the Board for the Arden Heights Jewish Center in Staten Island, and a New York designee for the Owners Counsel of America. Over the course of his career, he has maintained affiliations with such professional organizations as the American Bar Foundation, the New York State Bar Association, the Suffolk County Bar Association, the Nassau County Bar Association, the New York County Lawyers Association, the Association of the Bar City of New York, and the New York Trial Lawyers Academy. He has also accrued several accolades due to his achievements in the field, including a recent recognition as Attorney of the Decade from IAOP, being named a Super Lawyer in Eminent Domain Law for nine consecutive years, being among the Top Rated Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, and earning a Business Leadership Award from NYIT Alumni Federal in 2006. However, the recognitions he considers most significant have been the Who's Who designations, including the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and a "Who's Who in American Law" recognition.

In his spare time, Mr. Rikon enjoys photography, collecting stamps, and being with his wife of more than 50 years, Leslie, two children, and three grandchildren.

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