Michael Sherman is an accomplished trial lawyer in high-stakes, “bet-the-company” litigation. He represents big and small companies and high-net-worth individuals on both the plaintiff and defense side of cases, in federal and state courts, bankruptcy court, and SRO and ADR tribunals. He has first-chaired numerous trials in complex matters in industries as varied as securities, health care, environmental, consumer products, project development/finance, advertising, real estate and apparel.
Michael has been recognized as a leading trial lawyer by his peers and featured in the press for some of his significant victories on behalf of clients. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California appointed him a special master in a securities litigation matter. He is a recent past president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. He is a frequent speaker and writer on business litigation and trial advocacy.
- Obtained complete defense judgment at trial on behalf of client, state of California, in defeating $250 million claim involving proposed Ward Valley radioactive waste site. Gov. Gray Davis personally commended Michael’s trial victory, stating that “we would not have won without your wise counsel and skilled advocacy.”
- Obtained a complete defense judgment at trial on behalf of one of California’s largest water utilities, Eastern Municipal Water District, in successfully opposing $300 million in claims and environmentally related injunctive relief sought by the U.S. government involving the rights and responsibilities of various parties with respect to the waters of the Santa Margarita River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in Southern California. The parties’ dispute had stretched over 15 years and included defense of claims asserted by the Environmental Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton.
- Successfully defended one of California’s largest health providers in a month-long jury trial, that had been sued for misappropriation of trade secrets by a competitor. The competitor had sought $60 million in damages, and the jury award was for a mere $147,000 — a decision so favorable for Michael’s client that it was thereby entitled to recover all its costs against the competitor.
- Obtained complete defense verdict in April 2009, in jury trial on behalf of AIG subsidiaries, in defeating $14 million claim brought by a former senior executive alleging breach of partnership agreement, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty
- Successfully defended Affinity Group in a jury trial, where plaintiff sought $100 million in damages for unfair competition claims. Plaintiff took nothing. The trial and Michael were then featured in Los Angeles Daily Journal articles, with the now CEO of Affinity Group describing Michael’s performance in that case as that of “a tenacious litigator with a work ethic that seems to have no end.”
- Obtained an eight-figure recovery, after trial victory, for heiress of one of the nation’s best-known industrialists, deceased
- Secured recovery of all principal and interest, and fees, on material sums owing to lender consortium led by Sun America Securities (nka AIG Retirement Services) under loan participation
- Successfully represented major private equity fund sponsor in litigation initiated by Fortune 50 company charging fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, and in resolving litigation obtained both commitment of future fund investments and written apology (confidential)
- Successfully handled numerous securities actions brought against major companies including Lockheed Corp., Pacific Enterprises, Rohr Corporation, Arthur Andersen and Herbalife
- Managed unfair competition and Lanham Act cases involving Compaq and Packard Bell, and regularly advised No. 1 seller of home computers on products, advertising and procurement issues
- Obtained nearly eight-figure recovery at trial for terminated securities registered rep (confidential)
- Represented former policyholders in consumer litigation/class action involving Executive Life. Additionally, he successfully prosecuted numerous class action and contingency matters in business areas including hi-tech, industrial equipment, consumer finance, insurance and timeshares.
- Immediate past president, Los Angeles Chapter of Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Board member and vice-chair, Aviva Family and Children’s Services, a major Los Angeles nonprofit
- Recipient of Aviva’s “Spirit of Compassion” Award
- Admitted to practice in California
- University of California Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), Juris Doctor, 1980
- Columbia University, Bachelor of Arts, 1977