Partner

Michael is an experienced trial attorney who has effectively litigated cases involving a broad range of commercial matters. He has experience in contracts, corporate governance, complex antitrust litigation, unfair business practices, healthcare, eminent domain, real estate, probate and trusts. In addition to his trial work, Michael has briefed and argued several cases before the appellate courts. He is also an accomplished negotiator with extensive mediation experience.

Michael's commercial litigation matters include the defense of class actions and of multiple Section 17200 actions alleging unfair business practices. He has represented healthcare providers in antitrust actions involving claims of monopolization and unreasonable restraints of trade under both federal and state antitrust laws. He has represented corporate and individual clients in numerous breach of contract actions spanning multiple industries.

Michael's eminent domain work involves representing both public agencies and property owners in suits seeking to condemn real property. Michael represented the San Mateo County Transit District as the condemning authority in connection with several eminent domain actions arising out of BART's extension to the San Francisco Airport.

Michael's probate litigation practice includes representation of individuals and charities such as The Salvation Army, the University of California, KQED, Shriners Hospitals, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has litigated a dozen will and trust contests -- several through trial -- as well as contested petitions to interpret testamentary instruments, actions against trustees, and contested conservatorship proceedings.

Michael is a contributing author of California Trust and Probate Litigation for California Continuing Education of the Bar. He has written on will contests in the state bar's California Trusts and Estates Quarterly and has delivered numerous MCLE presentations on the subject.