Partner
Los AngelesMichael is recognized as a leading trial lawyer who has successfully prosecuted and defended numerous trials to verdict in federal and state courts, and is among the few lawyers in the country who have defended a securities class action trial to verdict. That shareholder class action trial, which resulted in a complete defense verdict, was recognized as one of the "Top Defense Verdicts" in California by the Daily Journal.
In addition to his representation of clients in litigation disputes, he provides counsel to public and private companies regarding securities, corporate governance and disclosure issues, and has represented numerous board committees and accounting firms in connection with investigatory and litigation matters. He frequently advises multi-national companies and executives based in the United States, Asia and Europe with respect to business disputes and securities matters. His successful representation of clients in high-profile securities and corporate governance disputes has been widely reported in the media (Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, New York Times, Fortune, The Recorder), and he has been recognized as one of the "Most Influential Minority Attorneys in Los Angeles" by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Michael is:
Michael has moderated and spoken at numerous events on securities law and corporate governance developments, including as a past faculty member of the Stanford Senior Executive Leadership Program, where he has taught business executives and leaders on subjects such as cross-border litigation, risk management and securities and accounting liability issues.
Michael serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, where he currently is the Co-Chair of the Sponsorship Committee, and has served as the Court Alerts Editor, and as Co-Chair of the Federal Courts, Programs and Breakfast at the Bar Committees. He has previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Constitutional Rights Foundation, as a Lawyer Representative for the Central District of California to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, and as a member of the Board of Advisors of the Securities Reform Act Litigation Reporter publication.
Michael is a preapproved panel counsel member of AIG's Directors & Officers (Securities Claims) Panel.
Michael is the Chair of Orrick's Technology Committee, and also serves as Vice Chair of the firm's Professional Development Committee.
Michael's notable representations include the following.