Michelle Leonard

Michelle Leonard

Associate
Baker & McKenzie LLP

Biography

Michelle is an associate in our Firm's North America Litigation and Government Enforcement Group and is based in our Los Angeles office.

Michelle previously worked at a hedge fund in compliance, where she helped the fund stay up-to-date on financial regulations and assisted in implementing compliance policies and procedures.

Practice Focus

Michelle's practice involves commercial, securities, and banking & finance litigation.

Representative Legal Matters

Securities

  • Represent leading cannabis company in shareholder derivative lawsuit.
  • Represented plaintiff-shareholders in brining shareholder demand and filing derivative complaint. 
  • Defended a company that had undergone a SPAC merger against shareholder derivative claims.
  • Defended a foreign foundation in dispute brought by an investor in the foundation's blockchain project.

Class Action

  • Defended a multinational food company in a class action for false advertising based on product labels.

General Commercial Litigation

  • Represented foreign state-owned entity in a commercial contract action, resulting in a summary judgment award in favor of our client. 
  • Represent multinational technology company in actions against unauthorized sellers of its products.
  • Represent global healthcare technology provider in contract dispute.
  • Conducted international investigations for a luxury goods company and for a drilling and exploration company.
  • Advised a large rental car company on a comprehensive 50-state survey regarding contract enforceability.

Admissions

  • California~United States (2023)

Education

  • UCLA School of Law (JD)
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (BA, High honors)

Languages

  • English