Michael J. Laino

Senior Associate

Since joining Downey Brand in 2019, Michael Laino has represented businesses and individual clients in a wide arrange of civil litigation matters, including partnership and shareholder disputes, construction and product defect litigation, wildfire liability, adversary proceedings in bankruptcy cases, financial security matters, and general real estate and contractual litigation.

Michael applies a vigorous and dynamic style of advocacy to complex disputes throughout the Sacramento and Northern California area, at trial and appellate levels, in both state and federal court. His pragmatic approach to litigation allows him to provide the most advantageous strategies to fit his clients’ particular needs and obtain effective results. Clients turn to Michael for practical advice and cost-effective solutions.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Civil Litigation Law Section
  • California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section
  • Sacramento Metro EDGE, Former Member
  • Kennedy Inn of Court, Former Member
  • Sacramento County Public Law Library, “Lawyers in the Library” Pro Bono Project, Volunteer, 2019-2020
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of California, Pro Se Help Day

Honors & Rankings

  • Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2023-2025
  • Super Lawyers, Northern California Rising Star, Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Business Litigation, 2023-2024
  • Externship, Honorable Consuelo Callahan, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2018
  • Order of the Coif
  • ALI-ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award
  • Anthony M. Kennedy Fellowship recipient, full tuition scholarship
  • Prosecuted product disparagement and trade libel claims against a competitor on behalf of a California based company.
  • Prevented a forceful buyout of a controlling shares in hunting apparel company.
  • Worked to successfully defend both private and public clients against overwhelming wild fire liability.
  • Attained an appellant court decision negating a jury verdict against a medical provider.
  • Prosecuted contractor claims and mechanics lien foreclosures.
  • Defended an adversary proceeding in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition.
  • Attained large settlement on behalf of California based trucking company.
  • Represented clients in bank fraud disputes against large financial institutions.
  • Litigated a massive product defect claim concerning highly technical machinery.
  • Prosecuted and defended construction defect and personal injury matters.
  • Defended nuisance and quiet title claims related to prescriptive easement rights.
  • Attained a six-figure settlement in a complex construction defect matter after six years of litigation.

Michael was born and raised in Sacramento, attending Christian Brothers High School before playing collegiate baseball and ultimately returning to Sacramento to graduate from McGeorge School of Law. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and traveling. Michael recently attained a settlement of over $200,000 against a major financial institution following its refusal to reimburse its customer for wire fraud.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Civil Litigation Law Section
  • California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section
  • Sacramento Metro EDGE, Former Member
  • Kennedy Inn of Court, Former Member
  • Sacramento County Public Law Library, “Lawyers in the Library” Pro Bono Project, Volunteer, 2019-2020
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of California, Pro Se Help Day

Honors & Rankings

  • Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2023-2025
  • Super Lawyers, Northern California Rising Star, Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Business Litigation, 2023-2024
  • Externship, Honorable Consuelo Callahan, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2018
  • Order of the Coif
  • ALI-ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award
  • Anthony M. Kennedy Fellowship recipient, full tuition scholarship