Overview

Michelle Annunziata is a partner in Mayer Brown’s New York Office whose practice focuses on federal securities litigation, shareholder derivative litigation, financial services litigation, and other complex commercial matters. Michelle represents issuers, directors and officers, from a variety of industries, in federal securities class actions and in derivative actions in state and federal courts across the country. She represents global financial institutions in a broad range of civil matters, as well as in connection with cross-border internal and government investigations, including DOJ, CFTC, SEC and IRS investigations. In addition, Michelle is a member of the Firm’s insurance industry litigation group with experience representing insurers and underwriters in connection with claims investigations and disputes relating to representation and warranty insurance policies. Michelle was named a 2014 "New York Metro Rising Star" in Business Litigation by Super Lawyers.

Michelle joined Mayer Brown's New York office in 2003.

Spoken Languages

  • English

Experience

  • Zillow Group, Inc. Securities Class Action and Shareholder Derivative Actions US District Court, Western District of Washington: Represent Zillow and certain of its directors and officers in a federal securities class action and related federal and state derivative actions in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. Shareholder plaintiffs allege that our clients made materially false statements about Zillow’s co-marketing program in a series of SEC filings and public statements.
  • In re BGC Partners Inc. Derivative Litigation, Delaware Chancery Court: Represented four members of the board of directors of BGC Partners in a shareholder derivative action in Delaware Chancery Court. Obtained dismissal of three directors at the summary judgment phase, and dismissal of the fourth director after a five-day bench trial.
  • Pujol Moreira, et al. v. Societe Generale, et al., US District Court, Southern District of New York: Won an important dismissal for Societe Generale when, in a case of first impression, a judge in the Southern District of New York ruled that the plaintiffs' claim under the federal Helms-Burton Act is time-barred. The statute creates a private right of action against those who allegedly traffic in property that was confiscated by the Cuban government. The complaint was ultimately dismissed with prejudice
  • Represented a global bank in connection with US government investigations regarding alleged IBOR benchmark rate manipulation and continued representation of bank in related civil litigation pending in the Southern District of New York.
  • Represented a global bank in connection with US government investigations regarding alleged bid rigging in the municipal derivatives market and related civil antitrust litigation.
  • Adelphia Recovery Trust v. Bank of America, N.A., et al., US District Court, Southern District of New York: Represented Bank of Montreal (BMO) and its investment banking affiliate in lender liability action arising from the 2002 bankruptcy filing and corporate scandal surrounding Adelphia Communications Corporation. Plaintiff alleged that financial institutions, including BMO, assisted Adelphia's executives and board members in committing the multi-billion dollar fraud against Adelphia and its shareholders.
  • Bank of America, N.A. v. New York Merchants Protective Co., et al., US District Court, Eastern District of New York: Represented Bank of America in action against corporate borrower and guarantors for breach of loan agreement and guaranties.
  • Energy Coal, S.p.A., et al. v. Luca Minna, et al., Delaware Court of Chancery: Obtained multi-million dollar default judgment plus award of attorney’s fees for Italian coal companies in suit arising out of their joint venture partners’ alleged misappropriation of joint venture funds.
  • Collins & Aikman Corp., et al. v. Stockman, et al., US District Court, District of Delaware: Represented former CEO of Collins & Aikman Corporation in an action brought by the company’s litigation trust.  Obtained dismissal of all claims against him, including fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment.
  • NTRP, et al. v. Holden International Inc., et al., International Centre for Dispute Resolution (“ICDR”), American Arbitration Association: Obtained victory on behalf of clients Holden International Inc. and IEC Holden Inc. in an arbitration conducted before the ICDR. Following a two-week trial, a three-member arbitration panel awarded Holden $11.3 million in contract damages and lost profits.

Education

Fordham University School of Law, JD

University of Notre Dame, BA

Admissions

  • New York

Court

  • US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • US District Court for the Southern District of New York

Activities

  • Fordham Moot Court Board