Michael Sheetz

Partner
msheetz@cooley.com
Full contact info

Market-leading companies and executives rely on me for their winning solutions, whether in the courtroom or at the negotiating table.

About Michael

Mike tackles “big problems” for a wide variety of Cooley clients across business sectors throughout the US. He routinely advises boards of directors and CEOs in high profile, bet-the-company matters. Mike has more than 30 years of experience handling trade secret and business litigation in US federal and state courts. He has acted as lead trial counsel in many high-profile complex commercial and employment-related matters – including dozens of trade secret and noncompetition cases in more than 20 states. Mike has led many sensitive internal investigations on a broad range of issues for both for-profit and not-for-profit clients. His diverse practice also includes representing senior business executives. For much of his career, Mike has negotiated employment agreements (either company-side or on behalf of management) involving senior management teams, CEOs and other C-level executives.

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Experience

Trial Victory in Unfair Competition Case for Uber

Trial Victory in Unfair Competition Case for Uber

September 13, 2019

Secured victory for Uber in case brought by 34 taxi medallion-owning corporations that alleged unfair competition and conspiracy and sought over $400M in damages at trial. Complete defense verdict for Uber across the board, on both liability and damages.

Press coverage

"Law360's Weekly Verdict" – Law360

"Uber Presence In Boston Didn't Flout Mass. Law, Judge Rules" – Law360

"Wake Up Call" – The American Lawyer

Related contacts

Michael Sheetz
Partner, Boston
Luke Cadigan
Partner in Charge – Boston, Boston
Beatriz Mejia
Partner, San Francisco
Tim Cook
Associate, Boston
Elizabeth Wright
Special Counsel, Boston
Matthew D. Brown
Partner, San Francisco

Related Practices & Industries

Antitrust and Competition
Class Action Litigation
Commercial Litigation

Paterno Estate Drops Sandusky Fallout Suit Against NCAA

Paterno Estate Drops Sandusky Fallout Suit Against NCAA

September 25, 2019

Cooley co-advised the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and its presidents in a long-running defamation lawsuit filed by the estate of former Penn State University football coach Joe Paterno over reputational damage stemming from the NCAA's handling of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. Joe Paterno's estate quietly dropped the lawsuit in June 2017.

 

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Related contacts

Michael Sheetz
Partner, Boston
Tim Cook
Associate, Boston

Related Practices & Industries

Sports+
Labor and Employment

Pure Storage - $488 million IPO

Pure Storage - $488 million IPO

October 28, 2015

Cooley advised Pure Storage on its $488 million initial public offering. Pure Storage, a Mountain View, California-based data storage company, now trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PSTG."

Pure Storage has been a Cooley client since the company's inception in 2009.

Related contacts

Mark Tanoury
Senior Partner, Palo Alto
John McKenna
Partner, Palo Alto
Michael Sheetz
Partner, Boston
Ann Mooney
Partner, San Francisco
Mark Windfeld-Hansen
Senior Counsel, Palo Alto

Related Practices & Industries

Capital Markets
Compensation and Benefits
Labor and Employment
Tax

Federal Judge Upholds Equitable Admissions Policy for Boston Exam Schools

Federal Judge Upholds Equitable Admissions Policy for Boston Exam Schools

April 27, 2021

A Massachusetts federal judge has upheld the Boston school system’s new admission policy for exam schools, a victory that will enhance racial, socioeconomic and geographical diversity in the city’s most prestigious public high schools. Cooley partners Michael Sheetz and Adam Gershenson led the Cooley effort, representing Anti-Defamation League on an amicus brief alongside leading nonprofits, business organizations and sports teams the Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox. The brief demonstrated that diversity benefits all students and local businesses because it helps create a generation of leaders equipped to compete in a diverse, global marketplace.

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Related contacts

Michael Sheetz
Partner, Boston
Michael McMahon
Partner, Boston
Robby L.R. Saldaña
Special Counsel, Washington, DC
Elizabeth Reinhardt
Associate, Washington, DC
Elizabeth Rice
Paralegal Specialist, Boston

Related Practices & Industries

Pro Bono
Commercial Litigation

Admissions and credentials

Massachusetts

Rankings and accolades

Chambers USA: Litigation: General Commercial – Massachusetts (2021 – 2025)

The Legal 500 US: General Commercial Disputes (2023 – 2025)

The Legal 500 US: Trade Secrets (Litigation and Non-contentious Matters)

Massachusetts Super Lawyer

Excellence in Pro Bono – Mass Lawyers Weekly

Why today’s universities need outside counsel for improved investigations

As higher education becomes increasingly caught up in politics and culture wars, this scrutiny is likely to continue.

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Michael Sheetz is not just simply an outstanding attorney; he is a strategic adviser, councilor and mentor.

Client quote in Chambers USA

I trust him without reservation. I can't imagine a litigator with a higher amount of emotional intelligence.

Client quote in Chambers USA

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