Latham & Watkins LLP

Michael Bern represents clients in high-stakes trial and appellate litigation.

Michael leverages his appellate-focused approach to litigation strategy, persuasive oral advocacy, and superior writing and research skills to represent clients in:

• • Appellate matters at all levels of state and federal courts
  • Complex disputes across a wide range of substantive legal areas, including First Amendment and other constitutional issues, administrative law, trade secrets, securities, aviation, insurance, and real estate
  • Class action defense

He has filed numerous merits and certiorari stage briefs before the US Supreme Court and drafted more than 150 briefs before state and federal appellate courts. Michael also shapes and executes clients’ trial court strategy.

Michael has successfully argued multiple appeals in state and federal court, as well as dispositive and other trial court motions, and has led on many successful challenges to the legality of federal, state, and local government actions, including agency rulemaking.

Michael maintains an active pro bono practice, including work on behalf of veterans, homeless individuals, and people who are incarcerated.

A recognized leader at the firm, Michael has served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee and Training & Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee.

During the 2011-12 term, Michael served as a law clerk to Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor of the US Supreme Court. From 2008-09, he served as a law clerk to Judge Michael McConnell of the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

Before attending law school, Michael worked as a management consultant, primarily advising life sciences clients on portfolio analysis, research and development strategy, marketing strategy, and mergers and integration.

Michael serves on the board of Ingenuity Prep, a charter school in Washington, D.C.