Michael J. Dell has more than 30 years of experience as a trial and appellate lawyer who successfully resolves complex business disputes. These include securities, accountants and auditors liability, commercial, real estate, insurance, ERISA, fiduciary and employment, and trusts and estates lawsuits in federal and state courts. He also has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitrations and mediations (at FINRA, the AAA, the ICDR, JAMS, the CPR and in other forums). In addition, Mr. Dell represents clients in connection with investigations and enforcement proceedings before federal and state agencies and self-regulatory organizations. Although Mr. Dell most often represents defendants, he has obtained many judgments or settlements for plaintiffs.
Mr. Dell's recent representations include the defense of an accounting association against class action and other claims arising from the bankruptcy of Parmalat, with alleged losses exceeding $10 billion; the defense of clients in qui tam actions; the defense of intellectual property development companies against fraud claims; the defense of hedge fund and other administrators and directors against class action and other claims for stock manipulation, death spiral financing and other wrongdoing; representation of partners in partnership disputes; the defense of telecommunications companies against claims for fraud and breach of contract; the defense of landlords against claims relating to withdrawals from the Mitchell-Lama program; the defense of health care companies against claims for breach of contract and fraud; the defense of pension fund trustees against class actions claiming breach of fiduciary duty; the defense of accounting firms against claims by clients, third parties and trustees and liquidators of bankrupt companies for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence; the defense of a broker-dealer against class action and other claims of fraud and stock manipulation relating to stock loan trading; the defense of firms against class action and other claims arising from the collapse of hedge funds; the defense of broker-dealers in customer and other securities and derivatives related arbitrations before FINRA and other arbitration tribunals and in court; the defense of underwriters in class actions arising from public offerings; the defense of insurance companies in RICO and fraud litigations; and the defense of various corporations and their officers and directors against securities fraud claims.
Legal 500 U.S. (2011) has described Mr. Dell as "very knowledgeable, thorough, experienced and approachable," and as an "'extremely effective litigator,' who is praised for his 'excellent judgment' and 'combining excellent legal advice with a great deal of industry knowledge.'" Benchmark Litigation has recognized Mr. Dell as a "Local Litigation Star" (2007-present) and reports (2012) that he earns resounding praise "at the trial and appellate level." Mr. Dell is also listed in Best Lawyers in America (2010-2011) as one of the leading lawyers in the U.S. in Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Regulatory Enforcement and Appellate Practice. He is also listed in New York Super Lawyers (2006-present).
EDUCATION
J.D., magna cum laude, Harvard Law School, 1978
Associate Editorial Director, Harvard Law Review, 1977-1978
Editor, Harvard Law Review, 1976-1977
B.A., with honors, Oxford University, Wadham College, 1975
CLERKSHIP
Judge Stanley A. Weigel, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1978-1979
BAR ADMISSIONS
District of Columbia, 1992
New York, 1979