Michael Bass - Lawyer in Albany, NY

Michael Bass is a partner and co-chair of the Medical Marijuana Law Group at Abrams Fensterman, LLP.

Mr. Bass is a member of the Healthcare Legal Practice Group and advises on all aspects of healthcare legislation. He pays special attention to compliance with regulatory requirements, advising healthcare providers, including nursing homes, other long-term care facilities, medical practice groups, surrogacy programs, and others.

Prior to joining Abrams Fensterman, Mr. Bass worked as an attorney for the New York State Department of Health for almost 13 years. During his time in the Department, he worked as a prosecutor in the Bureau of Professional Medical Conduct, later headed the Department's Litigation Bureau, and then served as Deputy General Counsel. He served as General Counsel and led the Department's Legal Affairs Division throughout most of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this capacity, Mr. Bass oversaw approximately 120 attorneys and hundreds of legal matters handled by the Department through its Ethics Office, Bureau of Professional Medical Conduct, Program Consultant, Health Facility Planning and Development, Litigation, Litigation, Enforcement, Records Access Management and the legal wing of the New York State Department of Health.

While he advised the Commissioner on all matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic response, Mr. Bass' time at the Department also included working to expand the Medical marijuana Program in New York, banning flavors in vaping products, the Department's role in lawsuits against the opioid industry, and prosecuting doctors associated with the NXIVM cult.

Mr. Bass worked as a prosecutor in the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office and was once the public defender of St. Lawrence County. Previously in private practice, Mr. Bass specialized in criminal defense and litigation.

Past volunteer activities include the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, serving on the Booker T. Washington Board of Directors in Auburn, New York, and coaching youth soccer. Mr. Bass has also coached football and track and field at the high school level and wrestling at the junior level.

Mr. Bass earned a Ph.D. from Syracuse University College of Law, a bachelor's degree from the University of Albany, and was a member of the varsity football team when he attended the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Bass is admitted to practice law in New York State.