Michael Stortz Brings Decades of Experience to K&L Gates Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group
Global law firm K&L Gates LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Stortz as a partner in their Litigation and Dispute Resolution group, based in their San Francisco office. Stortz joins K&L Gates from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
With a focus on defending major consumer and data privacy class actions, Stortz has a proven track record of representing Fortune 100 companies in high-profile cases and aggregate litigation, including mass arbitration campaigns. He specializes in representing businesses in disputes involving unfair competition, false advertising, consumer fraud, and breaches of warranty.
Specializing in Unfair Competition, False Advertising, Consumer Fraud, and Breaches of Warranty
Stortz has extensive experience in defending privacy-based cases under federal and state privacy laws and has represented companies in the communications, retail, and technology industries in their most complex and high-exposure litigation matters. This includes cases brought under California's Unfair Competition Law, Consumers Legal Remedies Act, and False Advertising Law.
Well-Versed in Privacy Issues Under Various Statutes, Including the California Invasion of Privacy Act
Stortz is well-versed in privacy issues under various statutes, including the California Invasion of Privacy Act. He has also successfully defended many of the largest Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation matters in courts across the U.S. and has advocated for changes to the TCPA before the Federal Communications Commission. He is a respected expert in the field of consumer arbitration and the Federal Arbitration Act and regularly guides companies in updating their arbitration provisions to stay ahead of plaintiffs' evolving strategies.
"We are thrilled to have Mike join our team in San Francisco," said Matt Mangan, the San Francisco office's managing partner at K&L Gates. "He is a highly skilled litigator and a valuable addition to our top-notch class action defense team."
Joining K&L Gates' Top-Notch Class Action Defense Team in San Francisco Office
Stortz's appointment follows the recent additions of several other partners to K&L Gates' San Francisco office, including Natalie Rainer in Health Care and FDA, Jason Putnam Gordon in Emerging Growth and Venture Capital, Shab Puri in Power, and H. Thomas Anderton in IP. These new partners are part of the more than a dozen additions to the firm's California offices, and nearly 155 new partners and counsel globally, since the start of 2020.
Lead practice area leader for the global Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, Melissa Tea, commented, "Mike's arrival enhances our offerings in the consumer goods and services sector, which is a key area of growth for us. With the rising number of consumer class actions, our clients will benefit from having someone as experienced and reliable as Mike on their side."
K&L Gates' Litigation and Dispute Resolution group has a wide range of expertise and experience in resolving matters, from simple commercial claims to complex multi-party, cross-border litigations and arbitrations. This has earned the firm the title of "Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year" in the 2023 "Best Law Firms" report by U.S. News-Best Lawyers.
With lawyers located in the United States, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, the practice has a proven track record of resolving disputes in even the most complex and nuanced areas globally. Many lawyers in the group are recognized as leading practitioners in their field and are fellows of organizations such as the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Law Institute, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
