Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP

Class Action & Appellate Litigation

Managing Partner Los Angeles

Co-Chair, Class Action & Appellate Litigation Practice Group

Michael is a highly experienced trial lawyer who has represented clients in class action and complex litigation matters, including cases related to economic product defects, unfair competition, false and deceptive advertising, business torts, privacy, entertainment and intellectual property. He has defended consumer protection actions and investigation initiated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. Department of Justice, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Communications Commission, as well as numerous state enforcement agencies. A client states that Michael is “a very smart lawyer and a very good strategist; he’s really excellent.”

For more than 20 years, Michael has been at the forefront of representing clients in significant consumer protection matters, including:

Defending the first enforcement action prosecuted by FTC related to the National Do Not Call Registry; Securing a major automotive industry victory before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit mooting injunctive claims for relief brought by private plaintiffs following a product recall; and Defeating a federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) class action by persuading the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals that internet classified ads constitute an express invitation.

Michael regularly counsels clients on marketing and advertising issues, and has substantial experience in the automotive, fashion retail, dietary supplement, telemarketing, electronic mail marketing, consumer products and payment processing industries.

Michael is the recipient of numerous accolades, including recognition by Chambers USA in the categories of California Litigation: General Commercial, and Product Liability: Consumer Class Action, and The Legal 500 United States in Dispute Resolution – Product Liability, mass torts and class actions: automotive/transport and consumer products. Law360 named him one of the “Transportation MVPs of the Year” in 2018, and a “Privacy & Consumer Protection MVP” in 2012. BTI Consulting Group recognized him as a “BTI Client Service All-Star” in 2012. Southern California Super Lawyers has honored him for Class Action/Mass Torts, Business Litigation and Civil Litigation Defense. Michael also has received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Michael also has served as outside counsel to the State Bar of California on issues related to its member programs.

Los Angeles Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Secretary International Association of Defense Counsel Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Section Co-Chair, Complex Courts Committee (2017) Executive Committee (2017) Association of Business Trial Lawyers Board of Governors (2014-Present) State Bar of California, Antitrust & Unfair Competition Section

J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1991 B.A., Binghamton University, 1988

Michael is an avid marathoner, triathlete and four-time Ironman, completing competitions in Maryland (2018), Vineman (Sonoma County, California, 2016), Cozumel (2015) and Boulder (2014).