Michael Pomeranz

Michael focuses his practice on the accurate and efficient resolution of complex commercial disputes involving allegations about contracts, corporate governance and shareholder disputes (including “business divorce”), deceptive trade practices and fraud, and intellectual property (such as trade dress, trademarks, and trade secrets) for closely held and publicly traded businesses, individual entrepreneurs, and tax-exempt organizations in industries including:

• automotive;
• construction and restoration;
• energy and climate tech;
• finance, insurance, and reinsurance;
• health care;
• land use and real estate;
• media;
• technology (hardware and software); and
• telecommunications.

Michael is licensed in New York and Michigan but has a national practice, having litigated in nearly a dozen states in state courts, federal courts (including bankruptcy and appeals court). Michael also represents commercial clients nationally in mediation and arbitration proceedings, both under the aegis of organizations like AAA and ad hoc arbitration proceedings. In addition to advising clients nationally and internationally, Michael assists colleagues around the country with local counsel matters in Michigan and around the Midwest.

Michael also counsels parties to prevent disputes, particularly with respect to governance issues and intellectual-property negotiations, as well as internal investigations and advice before potential litigation. He maintains a keen interest in education, land use, and the innovative use of technology tools to enhance legal service delivery.

• Secured $5 million global settlement for Taft’s client, a restoration and remodeling company, against family of real-estate companies that failed to pay for restoration services. Litigation began in Ohio state court and ultimately involved motion practice in front of six judges in four courts across two states. On eve of first of several trials scheduled in same Bankruptcy Court in which defendant affiliates previously had litigated, defendants offered settlement amount that exceeded total disputed principal and attorneys’ fees, a better result than that achieved by other litigants against the same corporate family of defendants.
• As local counsel, helped secure favorable resolution of eight-figure dispute on behalf of specialized real-estate investor with former tenant and operator; matter resolved on eve of Michigan suit filing.
• Secured favorable settlement for defendant in putative class action seeking damages that may have bankrupted the company; matter settled for less than one-tenth of one percent of claimed damages following aggressive briefing and settlement negotiations.
• Represent small businesses in federal courts across the country in disputes about trade dress and other intellectual property.
• Obtained dismissal of a suit in Florida against a major financial institution, based in Brazil, arising out of the plaintiffs’ investments in a now-bankrupt oil exploration company in Brazil and asserting claims under a variety of fraud-based theories.
• Secured favorable settlements of a putative antitrust class action and related action brought by a federal regulator against a major international financial institution, based in the United Kingdom, on trading in electricity markets.
• Secured favorable settlement of a putative class action against a major international financial institution, based in New York, alleging impermissible deductions of fees in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars before distributing the cash to American depositary receipt holders.

• “Sixth Circuit Narrowly Interprets Indemnity Provision in Auto Part Supply Contract,” Taft Law Bulletin, March 19, 2024.
• “A Few Tips For New Lawyers“, American Bar Association, December 22, 2020.