Michael Scala is a product of South Queens, where he was born and has lived most his life, his parents having met on the sands of Rockaway Beach. He is an attorney with experience in both the private and public sectors, and a record of getting results.
He attended New York City public schools, then enrolled in the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in computer science. At Brooklyn Law School, Mike was elected to lead his class. He earned his Juris Doctor in 2012.
As an attorney, Mike has successfully argued cases throughout the New York court system. He is known as a giant slayer in the courtroom, winning legal battles against the de Blasio administration and some of the highest profile lawyers in the country. Prior to his admission to the state bar, he worked for the legal department of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and in health care with the non-profit National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).
Mike’s advocacy in the community has focused on many issues, including improving transportation. He was First Vice President of the Queens Public Transit Committee and co-chair of the Rockaway Ferry Committee with the late Laura Deckelman. In that role, he fought to restore ferry service to the Rockaway peninsula and establish early departure times for residents beginning their jobs before 9 AM.
During the 201st New York State Legislature, Mike acted as legal counsel and legislative director in the New York State Senate. His duties included drafting, managing and negotiating proposed laws. He maintained an office in Albany where he was responsible for 150 bills. Several of them, including an initiative to help veterans find work in the state, passed the Senate.
One such bill, requiring police reports of missing adults, was signed by Governor Cuomo and became Section 837-F-2 of the Executive Law.
In 2017, Mike won the primary to become the Democratic nominee for City Council in the 32nd District, going on to win three of four Assembly districts in the general election. His candidacy was endorsed by numerous elected leaders and labor unions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mike helped organize a food distribution initiative that has fed over a thousand local families per week. He currently serves as counsel and advisor to the Ozone Park Block Association, the City Line Ozone Park Civilian Patrol and the Ozone Park Howard Beach Woodhaven Lions Club. He is additionally a member of the Kiwanis Club of Ozone Park, which raises funds to support children in the neighborhood.
The sponsor of a youth basketball team, Mike can be seen proudly cheering on Team Scala as they take the court every summer with the Broad Channel Athletic Club.
Mike is a resident of Howard Beach. In June 2020, he won election to represent the area as a member of the County Committee.