Michael focuses on representing international and domestic clients in complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts, international arbitrations, and regulatory compliance matters. He is experienced in issues concerning complex jurisdictional issues and cross-border discovery matters.
Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Michael has experience representing foreign and domestic companies and individuals in matters covering a broad range of industries, including cryptocurrency, commodities, construction and real estate, food and beverage, gaming, financial services, moving and storage, and oil and gas. He has also represented international clients in various investigations and proceedings before authorities in the United States.
Commercial Litigation: Michael has litigated several cases through trial and has handled numerous appeals before the New York State Appellate Divisions and several federal courts. Among his many high stakes matters, Michael was a member of the successful trial team that represented the defendant in a lawsuit that alleged that he had entered into a putative partnership to invent and mine Bitcoin. The lawsuit sought over half a trillion dollars in damages. After four years of intense litigation, four weeks of trial, and seven days of arduous jury deliberation, in a case that was widely thought to be unwinnable, they found that there was no partnership.
Michael also frequently represents and advises clients in cross-border disputes that raise complex questions of personal jurisdiction, choice of law, and similar issues. Most notably, he successfully argued an appeal before the New York State Appellate Division, First Department which resulted in the dismissal of a breach of contract action brought against a Brazilian national domiciled in Uruguay and an Uruguayan corporation on jurisdictional grounds.
Domestic and International Arbitration: Michael regularly represents parties to international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations conducted in Spanish and English under the major international rules including UNCITRAL, ICSID, ICC, and ICDR. In addition to representing clients in pending arbitrations, he has represented clients in connection with proceedings to compel arbitration and to obtain the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.
He has also served as an arbitrator in cases administered by the American Arbitration Association and the International Center for Dispute Resolution.
Corporate Internal Investigations: Michael has represented clients in various investigations and proceedings before authorities in the United States, including a large state-owned oil company in Latin America on investigative matters.
With over 10 years of experience, he honed his skills in cross-border litigation at leading global law firms. Most recently, he was a partner with an international litigation firm with offices in Miami and New York.
Michael is also very active in several legal professional organizations, investing his time and energy in the mentorship and education of young lawyers. He is currently an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School, where he teaches courses focused on transnational disputes, and he guest lectures at universities in the United States and abroad, most recently at Columbia Law School.
Michael earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his master's degree from Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He earned his law degree from Columbia Law School, where he was the managing editor for the Journal of Transnational Law. While in law school, Michael interned with the Honorable Justice Ronaldo T. Acosta, New York Appellate Division, First Judicial Department, and the Honorable Justice Barbara Lagoa, Florida Third District of Appeal.