Michael J. Reiss is a member of the Litigation & Trial Department and the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. Michael advises clients on a wide range of complex commercial litigation, including sports and entertainment litigation, insolvency litigation, financial institution litigation, and intellectual property litigation.

Michael is a seasoned litigator who has co-chaired all manners of complex business, sports, bankruptcy, and financial institution disputes. Michael's clients include private equity firms, sports teams, utilities, and leading internet and software companies.

Michael has extensive experience in all aspects of federal and state civil litigation, including conducting direct and cross-examinations and delivering closing statements at trial, drafting and arguing dispositive motions, taking and defending depositions, and leading his litigation teams in all facets from pre-litigation through trial, as well as negotiating favorable settlements to avoid trial.

Michael maintains an active and dedicated pro bono practice, and has successfully represented Holocaust survivors to ensure that they receive tens of thousands of dollars owed to them by foreign governments, tenants who have received threats that they will be unlawfully evicted from their homes, and employees whose employers have unlawfully withheld earned wages.

Michael's experience includes:

Complex Business Litigation

  • Representing PG&E in securities, derivative, and other lawsuits related to the 2017 and 2018 northern California wildfires
  • Representing former directors and officers of major retailer in connection with RICO and fraud claims
  • Successfully represented a leading private equity firm where plaintiffs alleged more than US$1 billion in damages based on a fraudulent transfer theory
  • Successfully represented plaintiff craigslist, Inc. where craigslist alleged that defendants’ web scraping was unlawful. The California Daily Journal featured the case on its list of Top Plaintiffs’ Verdicts by Impact
  • Successfully negotiated settlements of seven putative class actions alleging false advertising claims against a major sunscreen manufacturer
  • Represented Lyft in dispute regarding former executive’s contractual and fiduciary duties
  • Successfully represented education software company in a trademark dispute

Sports Litigation

  • Sweeping victory on behalf of the Arizona Coyotes in a week-long arbitration before the NHL Commissioner
  • Successfully represented the San Diego Padres in an arbitration with the team’s broadcast partner
  • Lead counsel in representation of three MLB teams in salary arbitrations
  • Successfully represented sports labor union in connection with various disputes
  • Advised NFL Players Incorporated in connection with various endeavors
  • Advised Champions League team regarding various disputes

Bankruptcy Litigation

  • Routinely represents debtors in major bankruptcies
  • Co-lead counsel in complete trial victory on behalf of a creditor holding more than US$70 million of secured debt to displace debtors’ existing management with a trustee
  • Representing a major venture capital firm against fraudulent transfer claims related to US$700 million transfers
  • Successfully opposed the appointment of an equity committee in Weatherford bankruptcy
  • Successfully argued on behalf of a major private equity firm for confirmation of a bankruptcy plan with third-party releases
  • Successfully briefed and argued a US$20 million proof of claim dispute on behalf of a global technology leader

Bar Qualification

  • California

Education

  • JD, University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
  • BA, Indiana University
    Phi Beta Kappa