August 4, 2023
Michael Gottlieb, partner in Willkie’s Litigation Department, has been named among the finalists for “Attorney of the Year” at The American Lawyer 2023 Industry Awards.
He is one of four attorneys recognized as finalists for making “impacts on the profession and their communities that go well beyond their day-to-day practice.” Michael, a nationally recognized litigator and crisis manager based in Washington, D.C., is being honored for his leadership in advancing the rule of law through a series of high-profile litigations.
Michael is leading Willkie’s pro bono representation of Fulton County Georgia election workers Wandrea ArShaye (Shay) Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, in their closely watched defamation case against Rudy Giuliani arising from his efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election. Michael recently achieved a major milestone in the case – he previously secured a favorable settlement with One America News Network – when Giuliani conceded that his statements about Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman were false and carry a meaning that is defamatory per se.
Michael’s recent highlights also include a significant victory last year on behalf of American servicemembers and civilians killed or wounded in terrorist attacks in Iraq. In a groundbreaking case on behalf of veterans and Gold Star families, he secured $455 million in damages against Iran for its support of terrorism. In addition, he is representing CITGO Petroleum Corporation and its U.S. parent companies, all subsidiaries of the Venezuelan national oil company (PDVSA), in the fight against authoritarian President Maduro’s attempt to seize control of the PDVSA.
Michael Gottlieb is a member of Willkie’s Executive Committee, Chair of the Crisis Management Group, and Co-Chair of the Media & First Amendment Practice Group and the Strategic Motions & Appeals Practice Group.
The finalists will be honored at an event in New York City on November 15, when the award winners will also be announced.
Read about The American Lawyer’s 2023 “Attorney of the Year” finalists here.
