Michael C. Gretchen

Michael Gretchen is a trial and appellate litigator. His practice focuses on complex litigation, including all manner of business disputes, insurance coverage disputes, securities litigation and arbitration, partnership and fiduciary duty disputes, and fraud and RICO litigation. Michael has represented businesses across a wide variety of industries, and he has argued in state and federal courts across the country, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Michael received his Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Washington and Lee University and his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he was a notes editor for the Georgia Journal of Intellectual Property Law.  While in law school, Michael was also active in the moot court and mock trial programs and was named Best Oralist of several competitions throughout the country. 

Before joining the firm, Michael was a partner at Fellows LaBriola LLP, a commercial litigation boutique in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Successful defense of LLC manger against claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and conversion, arising from an agreement to share revenues from coin-operated amusement machines. Stockton v. Shadwick, 870 S.E.2d 104 (Ga. Ct. App. 2022).
• Successful defense of real estate LLC manager against high-profile claims alleging violations of federal and state RICO, breach of fiduciary duty, and theft of trade secrets following a failed real estate development. Wade Park Land Holdings, LLC v. Kalikow et al., 522 F. Supp. 3d 1341 (N.D. Ga. 2021).
• Successful defense of national franchisor against class action claims alleging violations of federal and state RICO predicated on alleged mail and wire fraud. Cisneros v. Petland, Inc., 972 F.3d 1204 (11th Cir. 2020).
• Successful defense of international communications company against claims seeking $2 billion in damages and alleging violations of federal and state RICO, fraud, and violations of the Georgia Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. My24HourNews.com, Inc. v. AT&T Corp., 791 Fed. Appx. 788 (11th Cir. 2019).
• Successful defense of real estate LLC manager against derivative claims brought by minority member for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud.
• Representation CFO of publicly traded company in defense of shareholder derivative, securities class actions, and opt-out actions alleging state and federal securities fraud.

While in Atlanta, Michael was active in the Atlanta Bar Association and was elected by his peers to serve on the Board of Directors of the Litigation Section. 

Presentations

• "Watch for the Turnout! Steering the Train When Double Tracking Additional Insured and Indemnity Agreement Issues," American Bar Association's Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar (March 4, 2023)
• "Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices for Writing Briefs in Georgia State and Federal Courts," Atlanta Bar Association CLE (February 22, 2023)
• "The Advancing the Law Series | State of the Judiciary 2.0," Atlanta Bar Association, Litigation Section (September 16, 2022)

• Fellows LaBriola, LLP, Atlanta, Georgia
• Downey & Cleveland, LLP, Atlanta, Georgia