About the Firm 

Elan West, PLLC was founded by Michael Kulakowski, Esquire, built upon his more than a decade experience representing a wide variety of businesses in employment, commercial, and immigration matters. Read Michael’s Bio

The firm has a simple – if not unique – philosophy to serving its clients: effective counsel means understanding the business and its leadership, culture, and vision, and tailoring the advice accordingly to drive business goals, not hold them back.

The firm’s clients include domestic and global companies with fewer than 10 employees and those with over 500, across diverse industries, including software, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, high-tech, and professional services, among other industries.

In addition to businesses, the firm also represents individuals, including entrepreneurs, high-earners, partnerships and sole proprietorships in a variety of startup and business venture matters, as well as individuals with immigration law matters. 

Read about the firm’s practice areas: Employment Law & Compliance, Corporations & Business Ventures, Global Employment & Immigration.

The firm has offices in State College and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Michael Kulakowski Bio

‍Professional Overview
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Michael learned his legal craft working for both large and midsize firms in the Philadelphia area. Before entering private practice, Michael served as judicial clerk for the highest-ranking Judge in New Jersey Superior Court, Camden County: The Honorable Francis J. Orlando, A.J.S.C. Michael also held inhouse roles, including serving in the role of Director of Legal and Compliance Services. 
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Prior to his legal career, Michael was a cartographer and mapping software developer for the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington D.C., and also served as faculty researcher for Penn State University specializing in wetlands mapping and environmental restoration projects. 
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Education

Rutgers University School of Law, J.D.
‍Highlights
‍• Finalist, Moot Court Competition
• A+, Advanced Constitutional Law
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University of Oregon, M.S., Cartography
‍Pennsylvania State University, B.S., Geography
Languages: English, near-fluent in Polish, can get by in German
‍Admissions: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the Federal District Court for both the Eastern and Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the District of New Jersey.

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