Michael B. de Leeuw

Vice Chair, Business Litigation

Michael is a skilled litigator who leads high-profile, complex matters in federal, state, and appellate courts across the country. Michael has a diverse practice with deep experience in the areas of appellate law, distressed real estate, class actions, antitrust, defamation, and securities litigation, as well as in precedent-setting matters before federal circuit courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 2019, Michael briefed, argued, and won a major First Amendment case at the U.S. Supreme Court. In Manhattan Community Access Center v. Halleck the Court reversed a Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision, clarified when private entities can be considered “state actors” and therefore liable for constitutional violations, and upheld longstanding distinctions between private and government action.

Michael has represented lenders, borrowers, developers and landlords in complex real estate litigation and workouts. His team won the first case decided by a New York appellate court on the pivotal “frustration” and “impossibility” defenses being put forth by commercial tenants after the mandatory closure of non-essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case, he secured dismissal of all claims and The GAP was ordered to pay past and future rent, essentially stopping all similar New York-based claims in their tracks.

Known for his work in First Amendment and defamation law, Michael has been retained to defend investment firms in bet-the company defamation cases known colloquially as “short and distort” disputes and climate scientists in free speech and Anti-SLAPP lawsuits. He is go-to counsel for corporate governance and derivative cases, post-merger or failed merger disputes, and litigation over distressed real estate portfolios.

In his role as vice chair of the business litigation group, Michael has significant responsibility for practice operations, including work assignments, mentorship of junior attorneys, and targeted business development.

Michael is active in bar and civic organizations. He serves on the board of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and previously served as co-chair of the Antitrust Litigation Committee in the Litigation Section of the ABA. He was an elected member and vice president of the Board of Education in Glen Ridge, N.J. for 10 years, completing his last term in 2022. He is also the lead guitarist for Cozen O’Connor’s house band, The Dirty Scriveners.

Michael received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Montclair State University and then continued his study of philosophy in graduate school at Rutgers University. He earned his law degree from Rutgers University School of Law, graduating with honors and as a member of the order of the coif. He was editor-in-chief of the Rutgers Computer & Technology Law Journal.

 

Experience

News

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Super Lawyers Recognizes 27 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

September 22, 2023

Thirteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers and 14 were named “Rising Stars.”

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Cozen O'Connor Secures First Amendment Victory for Arizona Capitol Times

May 17, 2023

Cozen O'Connor has secured a victory for its client, BridgeTower Media, in a case involving the First Amendment rights of journalists.

Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Support Critical Voting Rights Cases

November 01, 2022

We celebrate National Pro Bono Week by sharing the high-impact work of Cozen O’Connor attorneys who have contributed to critical voting rights cases.

21 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 03, 2022

Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

Super Lawyers Recognizes 17 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

October 04, 2021

Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2021 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.

Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Win Securities Fraud Case in Del. Federal Court's First In-Person Trial

October 04, 2021

Martin Bloor and Matthew Elkin were quoted in an article published by the Delaware Court Insider, which discusses a securities fraud case victory.

Trump Needs Damning Evidence To Keep Big Tech Suits Alive

July 09, 2021

Michael de Leeuw was quoted in an article published by Law360 that discusses how former President Donald Trump filed three class actions on Wednesday alleging illegal social media censorship.

In Trump's world, only his speech is free

July 09, 2021

Michael de Leeuw was quoted in an article published by NBC News which discusses the former president's lawsuits against social media giants Facebook, Twitter, and Google.

Appellate Hot List 2020: Cozen O'Connor

November 01, 2020

Michael de Leeuw was featured in a Q&A held by the National Law Journal discussing Cozen O'Connor being named to the NLJ 2020 Appellate Hot List.

Myriad Section 230 Bills Show Agreement Still Out Of Reach

October 16, 2020

Michael de Leeuw was quoted in a Law360 article discussing how a politically neutral proposal such as the Pact Act will likely get more traction than other bills that seek to impose stricter oversight of social media platforms.

Super Lawyers Recognizes 21 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

September 29, 2020

Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2020 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.

House Dems Urge Justices To Hear Pot Legalization Fight

September 15, 2020

Michael de Leeuw was featured in a Law360 article in which he called the federal government's cannabis prohibition a "disastrous anachronism that must be addressed immediately."

18 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

September 21, 2018

Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2018 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list. Twelve were recognized as Super Lawyers and five were named "Rising Stars."

12 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 19, 2017

Super Lawyers has named 12 attorneys at Cozen O’Connor to its 2017 lists of top practitioners in the New York metro area. Six were recognized as Super Lawyers and six were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

19 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 05, 2016

The 2016 New York Metro edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

21 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 05, 2015

The 2015 New York Metro edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Publications

A Long, Broken Arm Internet Defamation & Personal Jurisdiction

August 07, 2020

Michael de Leeuw and Tamar Wise contributed an article to the ACC New York City Chapter newsletter discussing issues associated with personal jurisdiction and the Internet.

The Constitution and Religious Gatherings [The National Law Journal]

June 24, 2020

Michael de Leeuw and Tamar Wise contributed an article to The National Law Journal discussing the constitutional limits on infringements on religious gatherings.

COVID-Driven Commercial Litigation – What Businesses Can Expect

May 08, 2020

Adam Schlatner and Michael de Leeuw discuss potential COVID-19 related litigation, based on what is already happening and the legacy of other downturns.

Litigation During the Pandemic: Remote Depositions [Alert]

April 23, 2020

Michael de Leeuw, Adam Schlatner, and Amy Alderfer discuss things to consider before taking your first remote deposition.

Supreme Court Limits First Amendment Exposure of Social Media Giants [Silicon Valley Business Journal]

July 11, 2019

Michael B. de Leeuw and Tamar Wise contributed an article to Silicon Valley Business Journal discussing the Manhattan Community Access Center v. Halleck (MCAC) case.

Education

  • Rutgers University School of Law—Newark, J.D., cum laude, 1996
  • Montclair State University, B.A., 1989

Awards & Honors

New York Super Lawyer 2014-2023. This award is conferred by Super Lawyers. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Chambers & Partners USA: Litigation: General Commercial, 2022-2024. This award is conferred by Chambers & Partners. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Burton Award for Excellence in Legal Writing

Legal 500

Benchmark

  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Mississippi