Michael Hanin

Practice Areas

An accomplished litigator, trial lawyer and appellate lawyer, Mike represents investment funds, companies, and high-net worth individuals in high-stakes litigation, with a focus on litigation involving complex financial products, financing, securities, real estate, and cryptocurrency. Mike maintains one of the premier practices in the United States representing bondholders in disputes relating to their credit investments.

Work Highlights

Investment vehicles associated with renowned Wall Street investor Carl Icahn in lawsuits tied to his activism and other investments, including claims against Rialto Capital Advisors for breach of contract and fraud in connection with Rialto’s servicing of a commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) trust.

Noteholders in the multi-billion dollar National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts (“NCSLTs”) in nationwide litigations concerning the administration and control of the Trusts. After a series of precedent-setting wins, Law360 named Mike a structured finance MVP, and Mike’s team Structured Finance Group of the Year.

Howard Meyers, former Chairman of Eco-Bat Technologies, the world’s largest producer and recycler of lead, in actions for purported breach of contract, fraud, racketeering, and other alleged misconduct brought by UK-based investment funds concerning a €600 million payment in kind loan.

Waterfall Asset Management, in securing summary judgment on Cascade’s breach of contract claim against The Bancorp Bank relating to Cascade’s valid exercise of a “market out” clause in connection with the purchase of a pool of $900 million in mortgage loan assets for securitisation in a CRE CLO.

Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Cowell & Lee, Autonomy Capital, Hutch Capital, and other holders of $550 million in senior notes issued by China Fishery Group in connection with disputes arising from the bankruptcy of certain entities related to one of the world’s largest fishing companies.

Cryptocurrency trading platforms in connection with civil litigation and enforcement actions, including the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs alleging that XRP is a security.

Dozens of private investment funds in trust instruction proceedings, Article 77 proceedings, and interpleader actions across the country brought to resolve disputes relating to structured finance vehicles.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”), as conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in actions in federal and state courts against Morgan Stanley and other financial institutions arising out of misrepresentations concerning residential mortgage-backed securities sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

New York

Southern District of New York

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Education