Michael B. Gallub

Michael practices in the areas of class actions, complex litigation, product liability and environmental law. He serves as national and local lead counsel to major domestic and foreign companies, including the world’s largest automotive companies, in class actions, multi­district litigation and product litigation throughout the U.S. Michael is known for his vigorous, creative and successful representation in high-stakes, “bet the company” litigation, handling clients’ most challenging and critical legal matters in effective and cost-effective ways.

Class Actions, MDLs and Other Complex Litigation

Michael has successfully defended clients against numerous nationwide and statewide class actions involving a wide range of claims, including alleged product defects, consumer and commercial fraud, deceptive and unfair business practices, unfair competition, false or misleading advertising, misrepresentations and omissions, breaches of contract and warranties, violations of federal consumer, warranty and regulatory statutes, RICO and Lanham Act claims, and violations of the consumer protection statutes of every state. As national lead counsel, Michael has successfully represented the Volkswagen Group Companies in product-related class actions throughout the U.S., and in multi-district litigations including In re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (N.D. Cal.) and related state court litigation. Michael was also lead counsel for several major automotive companies in In re: Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation (S.D. Fla.), a multi-district litigation involving Takata airbag inflators and the largest recall in automotive history, and in related state attorney general and product liability litigation. Michael has represented major companies in other multi-district litigation such as In re: Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) Product Liability Litigation (S.D.N.Y.), involving the gasoline additive MTBE, and in environmental matters such as the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site and environmental actions brought by individuals, companies and governmental entities.

Michael has also successfully represented major automotive companies in related “opt-out” litigation, individual product and consumer litigation, and state attorney general litigation. He is uniquely adept at representing clients in “multi-front” litigation and in defending issues of national and worldwide import, including class actions in countries such as Canada, Australia and Israel. 

Product Liability

Michael has successfully represented major foreign and domestic automotive companies, and manufacturers and distributors of other products, in high-stakes product liability and consumer litigation. His extensive automotive experience spans virtually all types of vehicle systems and components including ADAS systems and technology, computer systems and software, vehicle stability, airbags and restraints, roof crush, seats and headrests, crashworthiness issues of all types, body materials and structure, steering and handling, braking systems, engines, transmissions, fuel systems, oil and coolant systems, electrical systems, and mileage-recording systems. Michael’s representation includes issues involving emerging and expanding technologies in the automotive industry, and in helping foreign entities understand and successfully defend product litigation throughout the U.S. 

Automotive Company Counsel

In addition to litigation, Michael regularly provides advice and counsel to major automotive clients regarding sensitive legal, regulatory and business issues, risk management, and litigation avoidance. This includes formulating and implementing  company programs, product recalls and campaigns, customer and dealer communications and relations, product warnings and instructions, technical bulletins, numerous types of contracts, and regulatory issues. His advice is regularly sought by major companies regarding crisis management, effective ways of resolving challenging nationwide issues, and effective processes for defending and resolving legal disputes and avoiding litigation.

General Liability

Michael has represented major companies, across many different industries, in general tort and insurance litigation including premises, construction, motor vehicle, professional liability, bad faith and insurance coverage. Michael is regularly called upon to handle matters involving significant potential exposure and complex issues that are particularly difficult or sensitive in nature.

Thought Leadership, Accolades and Community Service

Michael is a published author whose writings include three law review articles that were cited in judicial decisions and/or legal treatises (“Limiting the Manufacturer’s Duty for Subsequent Product Alteration: Three Steps to a Rational Approach,” Hofstra Law Review; “A Compromise Between Mitigation and Comparative Fault? A Critical Assessment of the Seat Belt Controversy and a Proposal for Reform,” Hofstra Law Review; and “Assessing Culpability in the Law of Torts: A Call for Judicial Scrutiny in Comparing ‘Culpable Conduct’ under New York’s CPLR 1411,” Syracuse Law Review). In addition, Michael has lectured at major seminars, law schools and bar associations in the areas of automotive defense, class actions, multi-district litigation, product liability, tort law and civil procedure. Michael has been given the highest peer review rating by the Martindale-Hubbell directory of attorneys and has repeatedly been selected to New York Super Lawyers by his peers. 

Michael’s dedication to community service is reflected in his membership on several committees including the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) and the Judiciary Committee of the LGBT Bar Association of New York.