Commercial litigator and trial lawyer Michael Amir resolves complex business disputes for companies with California operations, workforces and litigation portfolios. Known for his aggressive and efficient strategies, Mike understands clients’ business priorities and the nuances of state and federal regulations and statutes. He guides health care, technology, education and other California entities through litigation, including on commercial, intellectual property and employment disputes.
In 2025, the Daily Journal recognized Mike as one of its “top performing, bet-the-company litigators.” Mike pursues claims and defends clients in state and federal court throughout California as well as in arbitration and other dispute resolution forums. He regularly tries and resolves claims and litigation related to:
- Breach of contract
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Billing and Medicare fraud
- Quit tam and False Claims Act
- Trade secrets
- Noncompete agreements
- Shareholder derivative actions
- Employment disputes
Mike’s representation of health care companies includes large providers, networks, hospitals and other facilities. He works closely with clients’ teams in contracting, regulatory compliance and legal. He has achieved trial verdicts and published decisions that established new health care law, and he has in-depth experience with the California Department of Managed Health Care.
Recently, Mike has been protecting clients in disputes over reasonable value for medical services. He has prevailed on this sophisticated issue concerning insurers and out of network providers in court, at trial and in arbitration.
As talent wars continue to expose California companies, Mike keeps clients ahead of the fallout from moves by executives and employees to a competitor. He litigates and resolves disputes over noncompete agreements and misappropriation of trade secrets in health care, technology, public and private education, and other industry sectors.
Mike earned his J.D. from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and began his litigation practice at Gibson Dunn & Critcher LLP. Both Lawdragon and the Daily Journal in 2025 recognized Mike among the leading commercial litigators in California.
Representative Matters
HEALTH CARE BUSINESS LITIGATION
- “Reasonable Value of Medical Services” Win Sets New Law
Obtained a full defense decision in a bench trial on behalf of a medical group in a dispute over reasonable value of medical services. California Court of Appeal subsequently affirmed the ruling in a published decision.
Pharma Trade Secrets Protected
Obtained a TRO and a preliminary injunction on behalf of pharmaceutical company against former employee in trade secret case. - Medical Billing Fraud Action for HMO
Representing large HMO in lawsuit alleging that one of its providers, a dermatologists, committed massive fraud by charging millions in services that were never performed. - Major Damages Demand by ER Group Thwarted
Secured a favorable jury verdict on behalf of health care clients sued by one of the largest ER groups in the United States seeking roughly $30 million in damages. The jury awarded a fraction of what the ER group sought in the lawsuit. - False Claims Act Defense for Hospice Company
Defending health care clients in False Claim Act action that alleges defendants falsely submitted millions of dollars in claims to Medicare for hospice services. - Unfair Competition Defense
Defending health care companies in contentious unfair competition lawsuit by hospital seeking over $60 million in damages . - Health Care Business Dispute with Management Co.
Representing health care company in bet-the-company multimillion-dollar business dispute with former management company. - Defend ER Physicians in Hospital Work Action
Secured an unprecedented injunction against a hospital that had sought to shut out physicians who worked in the hospital’s ER. About a year later, after the hospital failed to obey the injunction, convinced the court to hold an unusual, one-week criminal contempt trial and find the hospital guilty on 14 of 15 counts.
HEALTH CARE BUSINESS LITIGATION
- Prelim Injunction Stops Departed Executive
Obtained preliminary injunction on behalf of company in an action against former executive who allegedly misappropriated company assets. - White Collar Defense Win
Achieved a complete defense verdict on behalf of an executive for a major grocery chain in a federal white collar criminal defense case where the grocery chain had pleaded guilty and paid $70 million in fines and restitution. Even though the trial lasted almost a month, the jury deliberated for less than five hours before returning a “not guilty” verdict on all counts. - University Trial Victory on Fraud Claims
Secured a complete defense decision in a state court trial on behalf of a major university in a discrimination and breach of contract case. - Real Estate Contract Dispute Trial Win
Awarded a complete defense verdict in a five-week jury trial where the plaintiffs sought millions alleging fraud and breach of contract in connection with a real property dispute. - Bank Trademark Infringement Settled
Obtained a multimillion-dollar settlement (including attorneys’ fees) on behalf of a bank sued by another bank for trademark infringement.
Practice Areas
- Commercial litigation
- Employment litigation
- Health care litigation
- Intellectual Property litigation
- Pre-litigation counseling
Education
- University of California College of the Law, Sann Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), J.D. 1999
- University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A., 1995
Experience
- Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP – Los Angeles
- O’Brien Zarian LLP (now Arent Fox) – Los Angeles
Recognitions
- Daily Journal, Leading Commercial Litigator, 2025
- Lawdragon, “500 Leading Litigators in America,” 2025
- Southern California’s “Super Lawyers,” 2010-present
- Litigation Counsel of America, Inducted 2011
California Industries. Strategic Counsel.
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