Photo of Michael A. Balascio

Michael A. Balascio

Member

Clerkships

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Lance M. Africk, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Education

University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 2005

Johns Hopkins University, M.A., 2001

Hamilton College, B.A., cum laude, 1999

Recognitions

Benchmark Litigation, Future Star 2019-2024

Benchmark Litigation, Under 40 Hot List, 2016, 2017

The Best Lawyers in America, 2021-2024

Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2021-2023, Rising Star, 2016, 2017

New Orleans CityBusiness, 
Leadership in Law Award, 2017

University of Pennsylvania Law Review

Psi Chi Honor Society

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana
  • Massachusetts
  • New York

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.  Prior to 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.

Benchmark Litigation 2020 - Future Star     Super Lawyers - Michael Balascio
Notable Representations
  • 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
Professional and Civic Activities

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.

News
Publications and Presentations

Publications

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