Michael A. Balascio

Michael A. Balascio is an experienced litigator representing clients in securities litigation and arbitration, high-stakes insurance coverage and bad faith cases, and complex commercial litigation. He has first-chair trial experience and has successfully litigated matters in federal and state appellate courts.

In his securities practice, Michael counsels investment management companies and brokers in litigated matters and FINRA proceedings in a variety of significant disputes involving securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, non-solicitation and trade secret restrictive covenants, and breach of contract. 

In insurance matters, Michael represents insurance carriers in coverage and bad faith matters involving a broad array of policies, including commercial general liability, professional liability, director and officer liability, excess, and umbrella coverage.  He has extensive experience with Louisiana’s “direct action” statute, bad faith insurance practice statutes, Gasquet settlements, and other complex insurance issues.

Michael has also represented clients in a wide range of complex commercial litigation matters, including cases involving commercial contracts, defamation, products liability, bankruptcy, and education law issues.  

Michael received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was a senior editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review.  Michael served as a law clerk to the Honorable Lance M. Africk of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  Before joining the Firm, Michael was an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in New York.  He was previously a teacher with Teach For America, a national public service program.

Michael has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and by Louisiana Super Lawyers. Michael was presented with the New Orleans CityBusiness “Leadership in Law Award” for 2017.

• Lead attorney for solar storage integration company in commercial dispute in New York state court
• First-chair attorney at FINRA arbitration hearing in successful representation of investment professional in intra-industry dispute, which was successfully defended on appeal in New York state court

• Represented broker-dealer in hundreds of FINRA arbitrations arising out of the collapse of the Puerto Rico municipal bond market.

• Represented broker-dealer in FINRA arbitrations nationwide arising out of high-yield bond funds that sustained massive losses during the 2007-2008 market crash.     

• Successful representation at trial and on appeal in lawsuit challenging Louisiana state government officials related to education law issues, resulting in injunction
• Lead attorney in federal court litigation involving claims for misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair trade practices, and breach of employment agreement
• Successful representation of insurance carrier in multiple coverage matters in Louisiana state and federal court
• Successful defense of D&O insurer from claims related to massive chemical discharge
• Defense of medical device manufacturer in nationwide lawsuits regarding allegedly defective hip implants
• Successful defense of law firm and attorney in bankruptcy litigation alleging fraud and other wrongdoing, resulting in dismissal of all claims
• Successful representation of trade association in federal court litigation for defamation claims related to comments posted to public websites
• Defense of local author in defamation lawsuit
• Defended investment bank in a multi-party bankruptcy litigation
• Represented international insurance company in billion-dollar securities fraud lawsuit

In addition to his practice, Michael is also active in professional and community organizations, and he coordinates the firm’s pro bono efforts.  Michael counsels start-up companies and entrepreneurs through his involvement with Propeller, a New Orleans-based social-impact business incubator.

Publications

• "Legal Corner: Founder's Agreements," Silicon Bayou News (July 9, 2015) (co-author with Michelle M. Rutherford)
• "Legal Corner: Employment Issues Affecting Your Start-Up," Silicon Bayou News (February 4, 2015) (co-author with Michelle M. Rutherford)
• "Legal Corner: Winding Down Your L.L.C.," Silicon Bayou News (December 4, 2014) (co-author with Michelle M. Rutherford)
• "Legal Corner: Contract Drafting," Silicon Bayou News (October 7, 2014) (co-author with Michelle M. Rutherford)
• "Legal Corner: Non-Compete Agreements," Silicon Bayou News (August 4, 2014) (co-author with Michelle M. Rutherford)
• "Legal Corner: Legal Protection For Your App," Silicon Bayou News (June 4, 2014) (co-author with Michelle M. Rutherford)
• "Legal Corner: What Business Entity is Best for My New Company?," Silicon Bayou News (April 11, 2014) (co-author with James L. Michaels and Michelle M. Rutherford)

• Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York