Michael represents entrepreneurs, startups, and creative professionals in a variety of legal areas, including business law, contracts, venture finance, intellectual property, corporate governance, entertainment law, and commercial litigation. 

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Prior to opening his own practice, Michael clerked in the Southern District of New York for the Honorable William H. Pauley III. He also worked as a litigation associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where he handled all aspects of regulatory and complex commercial litigation matters.  

 

While in law school, he was a winner of the Ames Moot Court Competition, was awarded best brief in the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, and served as a Technical Editor for the Harvard International Law Journal.  

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Michael engages in substantial non-profit work and serves as a director on the board of DreamYard, an arts and social justice non-profit serving children, families and schools in the Bronx.

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Representative matters:

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Founded video-game development company and advised on seed series funding.

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Represented purchaser in negotiation and acquisition of medical practice. 

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Negotiated intra-founder dispute and a founder's exit from startup.

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Drafted standardized staffing and recruiting services agreements for large recruiting and temporary employment firms.

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Negotiated terms of startup investment and SAFE note on behalf of angel investor.

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Established template client agreements for graphic and web designers.

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Drafted end user license agreement for mobile applications.

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Represented filmmaker in domestic and world-wide distribution for the documentary Robin's Wish.

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Advised podcast producer on shopping agreement for an award-winning podcast.

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Drafted design-build terms for innovative and fast-growing full-service landscaping company.

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Formed special purpose investment vehicles for accredited investor groups.

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Negotiated equity compensation package for consultant at an international startup.

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Registered a variety of trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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Assisted filmmakers with film production agreements, including location agreements, appearance agreements, and crew deal memos.

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Represented direct-to-consumer fashion company during negotiations for various agreements, including drop-shipping agreements and vendor agreements.  

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Represented a venture capital company in a raise for a portfolio company and in revising corporate governance documents. 

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Represented various filmmakers in obtaining copyright licenses, life rights agreement, and literary rights for their projects.

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Represented mining company in multi-billion dollar SEC enforcement action and related class action lawsuit, including motion practice, witness interviews, and depositions.

 

Drafted operating agreement for a start-up using artificial intelligence to provide business solutions.

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Drafted business broker agreement for the sale of a start-up.  

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Represented Chinese issuers in various putative securities class actions, successfully opposing a motion to remand under SLUSA and securing multiple dismissals.
 

Reviewed funding agreement for a non-profits' children's education television show.

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Researched and drafted amicus brief in support of respondents in King v. Burwell and petitioners in Obergefell v. Hodges, before the U.S. Supreme Court.  

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