People
Michael Smith focuses on securities and shareholder litigation, along with related board investigations. A partner and Co-chair of our Securities and Shareholder Litigation practice, Michael represents corporate clients in a wide range of matters related to corporate governance and fiduciary duties.
Michael represents corporations, officers and directors in a wide variety of shareholder disputes, including securities fraud class actions, shareholder derivative litigation, merger litigation, and audit committee and other board committee investigations. He has appeared in courts throughout the southeastern United States, and in New York, Delaware, California, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota and Texas.
A frequent speaker and writer on securities litigation topics, Michael has been recognized as a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation. He has also received recognition from The Best Lawyers in America for as well as from Legal 500 US .
J.D., Harvard University, cum laude
A.B., University of Georgia, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Georgia
Atlanta Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia
August 27, 2024
Michael Smith, Benjamin Lee, Peter Starr and Matthew Rosenthal advise Global Payments in a class action settlement
June 14, 2024
Michael Smith, Benjamin Lee, Peter Starr and Matthew Rosenthal advise Global Payments in a class action settlement
June 12, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2024 Guide
Defense of Acuity Brands, Inc. and certain of its officers in securities class action litigation following announcements of top line results which were below analysts’ consensus estimates in 2016 and 2017.
Defense of Capital One Financial Corporation and its top officers in securities class action litigation arising out of the data breach announced in July 2019 involving data of 106 million consumers.
Defense of Floor & Décor Holdings, Inc. and certain of its officers in securities class action litigation alleging false and misleading statements made in connection with a public offering of 10 million shares of Floor & Décor common stock. Won motion to dismiss all claims in 2020.
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December 20, 2016
Eleventh Circuit Confirms that Issuers are not Required to Disclose Retention of Outside Promotional Firms
September 23, 2016
SEC Files Action Against Company and its General Counsel for Loss Contingency Accrual and Disclosure Failures – What to Know
October 15, 2015
Business Lit Ledger – Fall 2015
August 27, 2024
Michael Smith, Benjamin Lee, Peter Starr and Matthew Rosenthal advise Global Payments in a class action settlement
June 14, 2024
Michael Smith, Benjamin Lee, Peter Starr and Matthew Rosenthal advise Global Payments in a class action settlement
June 12, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2024 Guide
Defense of Acuity Brands, Inc. and certain of its officers in securities class action litigation following announcements of top line results which were below analysts’ consensus estimates in 2016 and 2017.
Defense of Capital One Financial Corporation and its top officers in securities class action litigation arising out of the data breach announced in July 2019 involving data of 106 million consumers.
Defense of Floor & Décor Holdings, Inc. and certain of its officers in securities class action litigation alleging false and misleading statements made in connection with a public offering of 10 million shares of Floor & Décor common stock. Won motion to dismiss all claims in 2020.
See more
December 20, 2016
Eleventh Circuit Confirms that Issuers are not Required to Disclose Retention of Outside Promotional Firms
September 23, 2016
SEC Files Action Against Company and its General Counsel for Loss Contingency Accrual and Disclosure Failures – What to Know
October 15, 2015
Business Lit Ledger – Fall 2015
August 27, 2024
Michael Smith, Benjamin Lee, Peter Starr and Matthew Rosenthal advise Global Payments in a class action settlement
June 14, 2024
Michael Smith, Benjamin Lee, Peter Starr and Matthew Rosenthal advise Global Payments in a class action settlement
June 12, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2024 Guide
J.D., Harvard University, cum laude
A.B., University of Georgia, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Georgia
Atlanta Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia