Overview
Michael Stoll is an experienced and versatile commercial litigator who helps technology companies, financial services institutions, law firms, insurers, trade associations, and individuals resolve their most sensitive legal crises. He has extensive experience in all phases of litigation and across an array of industries and practice areas, having played key roles in professional liability matters threatening some of the world’s top law firms, intellectual property disputes with amounts in controversy exceeding $500 million, and insurance coverage matters arising from the devastation caused by the recent spate of California wildfires.
A significant portion of Michael’s practice relates to the defense of technology companies in intellectual property disputes. He is currently defending one of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers in a criminal prosecution arising from an alleged 20-year pattern of trade secret theft. Previously, Michael has gone to trial in two civil trade secret misappropriation matters, one of which resulted in a jury verdict equal to less than 1/100th of Plaintiff’s initial demand and the other of which was resolved on terms favorable to our client mid-trial.
Michael also has a growing professional liability practice. He has represented Am Law 100 law firms against claims of legal malpractice, defamation, and tortious interference, and regularly represents lawyers in bar disciplinary matters arising from alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
In addition, Michael is an active contributor to Steptoe's pro bono efforts. He has represented multiple death row inmates in post-conviction proceedings and, in one such representation, succeeded in getting a Pennsylvania death row inmate’s sentence reduced to life after more than 30 years on death row.
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- Hon. Donald M. Middlebrooks, US District Court, Southern District of Florida, 2010-2011
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2009, Executive Notes Editor, The Georgetown Law Journal
- B.A., Harvard University, 2006, magna cum laude, Social Studies
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
- Served as counsel for a leading Chinese smartphone manufacturer, in a trade secret and breach of contract case involving robotic cell phone testing technology that went to trial in federal court in Washington and resulted in a jury finding of trade secret damages and no basis for punitive damages.
- Served as counsel for a major Chinese technology company in a trade secret case relating to alleged misappropriation of base station antenna technology that went to trial in the Eastern District of Texas. The case was successfully settled after the first week of trial.
- Served as counsel for an Am Law 100 law firm and its partner in a defamation and tortious interference lawsuit arising from statements made by the partner to a local news outlet concerning his clients’ recently filed lawsuit. Originally dismissed in its entirety, the case was later resurrected in part by an appellate court, but ultimately settled on terms favorable to our clients.
- Defended an Am Law 100 law firm against claims of professional malpractice arising from a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation conducted on behalf of a former client of the law firm.
- Served on a team that obtained vacatur of a comprehensive Food and Drug Administration regulatory regime threatening premium cigars.
- Represented one of the country’s leading insurers in an insurance coverage and bad faith action arising from the destruction of a Napa Valley resort in the September 2020 Glass Fire.
- Defended a prominent national law firm against claims arising from the law firm’s representation of an investment group accused of Ponzi-type activity.
News & Publications
Press Releases
Steptoe Announces Partner and Of Counsel Promotions for 1 January 2022
November 18, 2021
Previous Employment
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Intern, Hon. Arthur J. Gajarsa, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (2009)