Michael Leon

Michael Leon is Senior Counsel at KI Legal in the Litigation Department. Michael is integral to the firm's litigation department, handling a diverse array of complex commercial disputes for various clients and industries. His deep understanding of the complexities inherent in commercial disputes, coupled with his ability to navigate through legal intricacies, makes him an invaluable asset to the firm and its clientele. 

From breach of contract disputes to intellectual property infringement claims, Michael tackles each case with meticulous attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. Whether representing multinational corporations, small businesses, or individual entrepreneurs, Michael approaches each matter with the same level of dedication and tenacity, earning the trust and respect of clients and colleagues alike. 

Michael has represented several Fortune 100 companies and has extensive courtroom experience in handling complex corporate and commercial litigations. Michael practices in both Federal and State courts representing unions and their participants, trustees, administrators, committees, boards of directors, and shareholders under New York and Delaware law, involving corporate governance and compliance issues under ERISA. Michael has significant experience in the successful resolution of business divorces and real estate ownership disputes, liquidations and valuations. In addition, Michael has represented several developers, cooperatives, and condominiums arising out of property development rights and regulatory compliance issues. 

Michael received his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law and was a member of the Hofstra Law Review. Michael is recognized in six editions of Super Lawyers as New York's top metropolitan lawyer in 2013-2016, 2019 and 2022.  

Area(s) of practice: 

• Labor & Employment 
• Compliance 
• Commercial Litigation  
• Business owner disputes 
• Contractual disputes 
• Commercial landlord-tenant disputes  
• Bankruptcy  
• Debtor 
• Creditor  
• Transactions 
• Corporate  
• Formation 
• Agreements 
• Governance 
• Transactions 
• Licensing and permitting  
• Real Estate and Finance  
• Commercial real estate   
• Acquisition and sales  
• Leases 
• Development and finance  
• Joint ventures  
• Lender Representation  
• Landlord-Tenant Representation 

Industry: 

• Restaurants and Hospitality  
• Small-Medium-Sized Businesses  
• Construction  
• Real Estate Family Offices  
• Lender Representation  
• Private Equity 
• Insurance Defense 

Education: 

• Hofstra University School of Law, J.D., 2004 (Law Review, Vol. 32, Senior Editor, Vol. 31, Staff; Member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy) 
• Binghamton University, B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Law, 2000 

Bar admission(s):  

• New York 
• New Jersey 
• Delaware  
• Pennsylvania  

Court admission(s): 

• United States District Court for the Southern District of New York 
• United States District Court for the Eastern 
• Eastern District of NJ  
• The District of Delaware  
• The District of Pennsylvania  

Professional license(s) & affiliation(s):  

• New York Real Estate Broker's License  
• New York City Bar Association 
• Nassau County Bar Association 

Publication(s) and media appearance(s):  

• Unauthorized Pop-Up Advertising and the Copyright and Unfair Competition Implications, 32 HOF. L. REV. 953 (2004)

Award(s)/Accolade(s): 

• The Who’s Who, “Top Attorney of North America,” 2016
• Thomson Reuters SuperLaywers Rising Star, 2013-2016, 2019, 2022