Michael Rolek

Michael Rolek is Special Counsel to the Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Rutgers University.  His practice focuses on University Affairs, Litigation, and Transactional matters.  In September 2025, Rolek was named a New Leader of the Bar by the New Jersey Law Journal.  

Prior to joining Rutgers, Rolek was Of Counsel at Connell Foley LLP where he advised public entities, private companies, and startup ventures on regulatory compliance, corporate law, employment law, and state and federal commercial litigation matters.  His clients included national sports organizations, national insurance companies, economic development and public affairs firms, and non-profit organizations.  Notably, Rolek served as outside counsel for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (“NJSEA”), where he counseled NJSEA leadership and the Governor's Office on litigation, major infrastructure deals, procurement issues, Meadowlands Arena license agreements, and matters involving MetLife Stadium, the World Cup, and the American Dream Complex. 

Prior to Connell Foley, Rolek was a commercial litigation associate at a boutique business law firm in New York City, and started his legal career as a clerk for the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division - Civil Part.  Rolek graduated summa cum laude from Marist College in 2008 where he earned Third Team ESPN Magazine Academic All-American honors and was the Marist College Male Sportsperson of the Year.  He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2013.  Prior to law school, Rolek was a Teach for America corps member, and taught elementary school in Newark for three years.  

JoAnn Redman, Senior Executive Associate
Liberty Plaza
335 George Street, Suite 2160
New Brunswick, NJ  08901
Phone:  848-932-1801
Fax: 732-932-6913
Email: jredman@ogc.rutgers.edu