Michael Jones
Michael is a Senior Associate in the firm's Dispute Resolution and Corporate Crime and Investigations groups.
Michael is a commercial litigator, representing, inter alia, financial services, energy, real estate and government contracting clients in cross-border litigation and investigations. Since 2020, he has been listed as one of Best Lawyers’ “Ones to Watch” for commercial litigation in New York. Michael regularly assists with some of the New York office’s most complex and sensitive matters in state and federal courts, as well as several arbitral forums including the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, the London Court of International Arbitration, and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. He also has experience defending investigations and enforcement actions being pursued by government and industry regulators.
Background
Michael received his J.D. from New York University School of Law, and his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Southern California. Before joining Herbert Smith Freehills, he was an associate at another international law firm. Michael is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Experience & expertise
Selected matters
- a New York-based financial services provider and its affiliates defending claims asserted by more than a dozen privatized military housing development projects seeking to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in allegedly inflated interest rates and fees associated with a series of loan agreements
- a New York-based financial institution, and its London-based affiliate, defending claims arising from purportedly improper margin calls issued in the Spring of 2020. All claims were dismissed with prejudice at the pleadings stage
- a Swiss bank in a trial in Thailand regarding payments owed under a 1990s-era credit facility, governed by New York law, that had defaulted in the Asian financial crisis. All claims asserted against Michael’s client were dismissed
- an international bank in inter-creditor litigation concerning a defaulted mortgage and the early termination of a hotel management agreement. Following briefing on a motion to dismiss, all claims asserted against the bank were withdrawn
- an international bank in a commercial foreclosure action. Obtained summary judgment in client’s favor without the need for any discovery
- a placement-agent defending securities and common-law claims asserted by investors in a now-defunct biotechnology company. All claims were dismissed at the pleadings stage
- two individuals named as defendants in the Democratic National Committee’s lawsuit concerning an alleged illegal conspiracy to disrupt the 2016 United States presidential election. All claims were dismissed at the pleadings stage
- a broker-dealer in multi-forum litigation initiated by a Luxembourg-based liquidator seeking to over $500 million for fraud, gross-negligence, and breach of contract. A FINRA arbitration Panel ultimately dismissed all claims against Michael's client and awarded attorneys' fees*
- a Singapore-based shipping company in litigation concerning the confirmation of an international arbitral award and issues of maritime law, in which Michael obtained the vacatur of a maritime lien issued against his client on jurisdictional grounds
- an international commodities trading company in a portfolio of litigation concerning the sale of purportedly contaminated fuel oils. In several publicly reported decisions, the claims against Michael’s client have been dismissed either entirely or with de minimis exceptions
- a Big 4 accounting firm in accounting malpractice action, in which Michael obtained dismissal of all claims at the pleadings stage*
- a publicly traded software company against international entertainment company’s claims for fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty. Successfully moved trial court to dismiss the tort claims and cap the permissible damages, after which the remaining claims were favorably settled*
- debtors and creditors in disputes concerning secured lenders' rights to recover post-petition interest and whether a debtor's proposed issuance of replacement notes satisfied the requirements of the United States bankruptcy code*
*Indicates experience acquired at a previous firm.
