Michael L. Reitzell
Special Counsel
Duane Morris LLP
Suite 2200
One Market Plaza, Spear Tower
San Francisco, CA 94105-1127
USA

Phone: +1 415 957 3084
Fax: +1 530 452 2927
Email: MLReitzell@duanemorris.com

Lake Tahoe Address
Duane Morris LLP
Suite 100
11149 Brockway Road
Truckee, CA 96161-2213
Phone: +1 530 550 2050
Fax: +1 530 550 8619

Michael L. Reitzell is a trial lawyer who practices in all aspects of civil litigation. He advises and represents business clients in a variety of areas, including commercial disputes, unfair competition, antitrust, fraud, products liability and toxic torts, breach of contract, and risk management. Mr. Reitzell is very involved with the sports and recreation and hospitality industries, defending manufacturers, retail businesses, ski areas and resort operators in civil matters, with a focus on cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. He practices at both the trial and appellate levels, serving as lead counsel at trial and at mediations for Duane Morris clients. In addition to his significant litigation experience, Mr. Reitzell works closely with clients on risk management and business operations issues to prevent litigation.

In 2010, Mr. Reitzell was the recipient of the Duane Morris Pro Bono Award, which recognizes commitment to pro bono service and honors those who work to achieve equal access to justice. He has twice been appointed by the Nevada Supreme Court to handle pro bono matters before the state’s highest court. In 2011, Mr. Reitzell was named a "Rising Star" in Northern California Super Lawyers magazine, which is given to only 2.5% of attorneys in the state.

Mr. Reitzell is an active member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), where he currently serves as Webcast Chair and Steering Committee Member of the Products Liability Committee. He previously held several Steering Committee positions for the Young Lawyers Committee, most recently as Chair of the Annual Meeting Subcommittee.

Mr. Reitzell is a 2001 graduate of the University of California, Davis School of Law and a 1997 graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.A. in broadcast journalism.

Representative Matters

• Obtained defense decision in favor of G4S Justice Services, LLC as lead trial counsel in a business litigation action brought by the losing bidder in connection with a public safety contract to provide electronic monitoring and case management for detainees of the San Francisco Sheriff's Department. Plaintiff had sought several million dollars in damages through claims of interference with contract and prospective economic advantage. G4S was awarded its costs of suit, including expert witness fees. Achieved dismissal of five additional causes of action before trial, including a claim for unfair competition.
• Obtained an order dismissing a putative products liability class action against a major Japanese retailer filed by plaintiffs who had sought refunds and medical monitoring for alleged lead poisoning.
• Zatarain v. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, 2010 WL 3404760 (Cal.App. 3 Dist.). Plaintiff appealed from a judgment in favor of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area after the court sustained two demurrers and ultimately struck plaintiff's amended complaint without leave to amend. Plaintiff had sought damages for claims of negligence, gross negligence, and various forms of discrimination. Mr. Reitzell argued the case before the Third District Court of Appeal, which affirmed the judgment in Mammoth's favor. The Supreme Court denied appellant's petition for review.
• Willig v. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, 2010 WL 302436 (Cal.App. 3 Dist.). Mr. Reitzell was part of the trial and appellate teams who achieved a defense verdict in favor of a ski area after a five-week jury trial. The case involved a snowboarder who sustained injuries resulting in paraplegia. Plaintiffs sought over $10 million in damages. The verdict was upheld in a unanimous decision on appeal, with the Supreme Court denying appellants' petition for review.
• After being appointed pro bono counsel by the Nevada Supreme Court, Mr. Reitzell assisted a veteran father in obtaining a revised parenting plan for custody of his eight-year-old daughter. By reaching a settlement, the father dismissed his appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, avoiding a lengthy appeal process and further litigation at the district court level.
• Obtained summary judgment for Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in a case involving an injured snowboarder with medical expenses exceeding $500,000. Plaintiff had signed a release of liability that Mr. Reitzell effectively argued barred any claims against the ski area. The judgment included an order awarding costs to the client and discovery sanctions against plaintiff.
• Souza v. Squaw Valley Ski Corp. (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 262. Mr. Reitzell handled the case through discovery, summary judgment and argued the appeal before the Third District Court of Appeal in California. The Court, in a published opinion, affirmed summary judgment.
• Vine v. Bear Valley Ski Co. (2004) 118 Cal.App.4th 577. Mr. Reitzell was part of the legal team that obtained reversal of a $9.7 million verdict in a snowboard injury case. The case was retried and resulted in a defense verdict.
• Assisted in representation of a large ski resort in settling an environmental claim brought by the State of California, which had alleged Cal. Business & Professions Code §§ 17200, et seq. and CEQA violations.
• Successfully defended a major toy manufacturer in a "nonprofit" organization's unfair competition suit. The plaintiff attempted to force toy makers to contribute toward a settlement or cease their Internet sales and marketing operations two days before Christmas under the guise of the California unfair competition and false advertising laws (Business & Professions Code §§ 17200, et seq.). The trial court denied the plaintiff's application for a temporary restraining order and it ordered total dismissal of the suit (and an award of attorneys' fees) through an anti-SLAPP motion.

Professional Activities

• Defense Research Institute
  - Products Liability Committee
  -- Webcast Chair
  -- Member, Steering Committee
  -- Member, Recreational Products Specialized Litigation Group
  - Young Lawyers Committee
  -- Long Range Planning Subcommittee
  -- Former Chair, Annual Meeting, Activities, and Substantive Liaison Subcommittees
  -- Member, Steering Committee
• Tahoe-Truckee Bar Association
  - Former Vice-President and Treasurer, 2007-2010
• Association of Ski Defense Attorneys

Admissions

• California
• Nevada
• Supreme Court of the United States
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
• U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

Education

• University of California, Davis School of Law, J.D., 2001
• University of Southern California, B.A., 1997

Experience

• Duane Morris LLP
  - Associate, 2006-present
• Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft LLP
  - Associate, 2001-2005

Civic and Charitable Activities

• Volunteer, Arizona Food Bank, Phoenix, Arizona, February 2008
• Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, "Rebuild New Orleans, Build the Future" New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2007
• Volunteer, Ronald McDonald House, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 2006

Honors and Awards

• Named a "Rising Star," Northern California Super Lawyers magazine, 2011
• Recipient of the Duane Morris Pro Bono Award, 2010
• Outstanding Subcommittee Chair, DRI Young Lawyers Committee, 2007-2008
• Daily Journal's Top Verdicts of 2006: Willig v. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area

Selected Publications

• Author, "'All We Want Are the (Material) Facts, Ma'am,' Focus on the Material Facts for a Successful Motion for Summary Judgment," For The Defense, August 2009
• Author, Punitive Damages: A State-by-State Compendium, Nevada Chapter, The DRI Defense Library Series, August 2009
• Author, Product Liability Cases and the Duty to Warn: A 50 State Compendium, Nevada Chapter, The DRI Defense Library Series, December 2007
• Co-Author, "Counseling Clients in Extreme Sports and High-Risk Activities," Entertainment and Media Law Client Strategies: Leading Lawyers on Case Strategies, Exceeding Client Expectations, and Negotiating Deals (Inside the Minds), Aspatore Books, October 2007
• Author, "How We Almost Lost Our Blackberries ... Well, Not Really," For The Defense, June 2006
• Author, Unfair Trade Practice Compendium, Nevada Chapter,The DRI Defense Library Series, December 2005
• Co-Author, Tort Reform and You - Perfect Together?, DRI Annual Meeting Course Materials, October 2004

Selected Speaking Engagements

• “Using Social Media as a Litigation Tool,” Association of Ski Defense Attorneys Annual Seminar, Sun Valley, Idaho, March 8, 2011
• "Hot off the Presses: Product Liability Case Law Update," sponsored by the Defense Research Institute's Products Liability Seminar, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 8, 2010
• "Best Approaches To Advising Clients On How To Handle Electronically Stored Information Before Litigation," Association of Ski Defense Attorneys Annual Seminar, Beaver Creek, Colorado, March 1, 2009
• "The Dude Factor: Preparing the Unprepared Witness," sponsored by the Defense Research Institute's Young Lawyers Seminar, Orlando, Florida, June 6, 2008
• "Taking a Byte Out of E-Discovery: How to Advise Your Clients Before Problems Arise," sponsored by the Defense Research Institute's Products Liability Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 7, 2007
• "Getting the Judge to Toss Your Product - Winning Strategies & Arguments for Summary Judgment," sponsored by the Defense Research Institute's Products Liability Seminar, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 8, 2006
• "A Wild Ride in 2003: The Year in Review of Recreational Products Liability Cases and Reports," sponsored by the Defense Research Institute's Products Liability Seminar, Recreational Products Specialized Litigation Group Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 12, 2004