Michael L. Charlson

Michael Charlson handles complex litigation matters across a range of substantive areas, although he focuses his practice on securities class action, corporate governance and shareholder derivative litigation and related counseling. For more than 30 years, Michael has represented corporations, officers, directors and other constituencies, usually in lawsuits and investigations related to allegations that they have issued false and misleading statements or mismanaged the company. His clients span industries, from the most cutting-edge biotech innovators to gravel pit operators, and everything in between. And they are often facing billions of dollars of damages and serious threats to the enterprise’s continued existence. Michael also co-led the team that secured a jury verdict for defendants (including his client, the former CEO) in In re JDS Uniphase Securities Litigation, one of only a handful of securities class actions that have gone to trial.

Michael has also represented companies and individuals on a range of matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission, including SEC investigations and enforcement proceedings involving allegations of insider trading (including tipper and tippee allegations), improper accounting, inadequate disclosure, improper supervision and books-and-records violations. In SEC matters, Michael has prepared Wells or pre-Wells submissions on behalf of some 20 clients; none has been charged.

Michael serves as Office Managing Partner and Talent and Diversity Lead of the San Francisco office. He is also Co-Head of V&E’s Securities Litigation & Enforcement practice. Again in 2019, Michael was recognized by Chambers USA for his “exceedingly deep knowledge base” in securities litigation. He has also been recognized in Legal 500 and as a Northern California SuperLawyer for many years.

University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D., 1985 (Order of the Coif; Articles Editor, California Law Review)

Stanford University, M.S., Biological Sciences, 1981

Stanford University, B.S., Biological Sciences, 1981