Michael Ward

Michael has a broad practice with a particular focus on complex financial and commercial litigation matters, in federal and state courts, arbitrations, and out-of-court negotiations. He handles all phases of litigation, from strategic analysis of claims and defenses through trial preparation or settlement, including motion practice, fact and expert discovery, depositions and appeals.

Michael has also assisted in the representation of a number of sophisticated financial services firms, broker-dealers, registered representatives and investment advisory firms on a variety of issues, including employee recruiting and raiding, unfair competition, protection of trade secrets and other confidential information, the enforcement of non-solicitation agreements and breach of contract claims.

Michael’s practice also includes representing plaintiffs and defendants of varying size and sophistication in securities matters. He has represented institutional investors asserting securities fraud claims under federal and state law in connection with banks’ conduct as underwriter, seller and/or issuer of certain residential mortgage-backed securities. Conversely, he has represented class action defendants against allegations of false or misleading statements made in connection with securities offerings.

Prior to joining Barton LLP, Michael was a litigation associate with Wollmuth Maher & Deutsch LLP, where he successfully represented a range of clients from Fortune 100 financial institutions to closely-held companies and individuals in corporate and commercial matters, as well as reinsurance and insurance disputes.

As published by Thomson Reuters, Michael has been recognized as a New York Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2017 to present in the area of business litigation.