Michael I. Fistel Jr.

Mr. Fistel’s success in protecting investor rights in shareholder class action and derivative litigation is exemplified in several cases, including without limitation the following: In In re: Twitter, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation, C.A. No. 18-062 (D. Del.), Johnson Fistel serving as co-lead counsel and Mr. Fistel serving as one of the chief negotiators, secured a $38 million payment to Twitter and successfully negotiated robust corporate reforms tailored to address alleged disclosure deficiencies concerning the company’s user growth and user engagement prospects.  Similarly, in Alex v. McCullough, et al., No. 1:12-cv-08834 (N.D. Ill.), Mr. Fistel helped secure a $20 million recovery and sweeping management and board-level corporate governance reforms for Career Education Corporation.  Mr. Fistel has had similar success in the securities class action arena as well.  Specifically, in Gerneth v. Chiasma, Inc., No. 1:16-cv-11082-DJC (D. Mass.),a securities class action lawsuit where Johnson Fistel served as co-lead counsel, Mr. Fistel helped secure an $18.75 million class-wide settlement, and In Re Flowers Foods, Inc. Securities Litigation, No. 7:16-CV-00222-WLS (M.D. Ga.), another securities class action where Johnson Fistel served as lead counsel, Mr. Fistel was instrumental in securing a $21 million class settlement.

Mr. Fistel devotes his practice to representing individuals, institutions, and businesses in shareholder and other complex litigation.  Specifically, a substantial portion of Mr. Fistel’s practice is focused on representing shareholders in securities fraud class action litigation and shareholder derivative litigation.  In addition to shareholder litigation, Mr. Fistel also represents aggrieved consumers and businesses in other complex litigation arising out of financial and consumer fraud.

Mr. Fistel was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 2001, and is currently admitted in good standing with the following courts:

• All courts in the State of Georgia
• The Supreme Court of the United States of America
• The United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits
• The United States District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia
• The United States District Court for the District of Colorado
• The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• The United States District Court for the District of Maryland

Mr. Fistel has also been invited to speak at the Georgia State University School of Law in the area of corporate governance and shareholder rights and has served as an invited panelist for the Securities and Corporate Litigation Sub-Section of the Atlanta Bar Association.

In 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, Mr. Fistel was recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer—Rising Star by Atlanta Magazine, an honor bestowed on just 2.5% of the attorneys in the State of Georgia.  Additionally, Mr. Fistel has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which indicates very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar.

Mr. Fistel attended New England Law in Boston, Massachusetts, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 2001.  While at New England Law, Mr. Fistel was repeatedly named to the Dean’s List and received the CALI Award for Excellence in Trial Practice and Sports Law.  Prior to attending New England Law, Mr. Fistel attended Florida State University as a Florida Undergraduate Scholar, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Mr. Fistel is an active member of his local Hickory Flat, Georgia community, having served as an Executive Board Member and as Secretary of the Board of Directors of East Cherokee Baseball, a total volunteer youth sports organization where approximately 500 boys and girls ages 3-17 are provided a safe, fun, and educational baseball experience.  Mr. Fistel and his family are members of St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell, Georgia.