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Michael L. Reitzell [ Associate ]
Duane Morris LLP
11149 Brockway Road, Suite 100
Truckee, CA 96161-2213
USA

Phone: 530.550.2054
Fax: 530.452.2927
Email: MLReitzell@duanemorris.com

Michael L. Reitzell practices in the areas of sports and recreation and products liability and complex torts. His practice emphasizes the defense and risk management of ski areas and resort operators in premises and environmental matters. He represents clients in negligence and products liability cases, at both the trial and appellate levels, and has defended clients in several business litigation matters involving claims of unfair competition, false advertising, and fraud.

Mr. Reitzell is an active member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), where he currently serves as chair of the Activities Subcommittee for the Young Lawyers Committee, marketing chair of the Technology Committee, and member of the Young Lawyers' Steering Committee.

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

• 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
  -- Chair, Products Liability Seminar Young Lawyers Breakout Session
  -- Member, Products Liability Seminar Planning Committee
  - Recreational Products Specialized Litigation Group
  - Young Lawyers Committee
  -- Chair, Activities Subcommittee
  -- Former Chair, Substantive Liaison Subcommittee
  -- Member, Steering Committee
  - Technology Committee
  -- Marketing Chair
• Tahoe-Truckee Bar Association
  - Treasurer
• Association of Ski Defense Attorneys
• American Bar Association
• Bar Association of San Francisco

Admissions

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

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

Selected Publications

• 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

• "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