Michael Kidney > Hogan Lovells US LLP > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Hogan Lovells US LLP
COLUMBIA SQUARE
555 THIRTEENTH STREET, NW
WASHINGTON DC 20004
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
United States

Work Department

Litigation

Position

Partner

Career

Michael Kidney has more than 25 years of experience winning lawsuits – and doing it efficiently. Clients often turn to Michael when they are facing high-stakes consumer class actions, product liability claims, and complex commercial litigation.

As a result of filing early dispositive motions, Michael has won the outright dismissal of dozens of lawsuits – at the very outset of the case. These dismissals have resulted in opinions that have been widely cited. For example, Michael secured the dismissal, with prejudice, of a group of defendants from a multi-district litigation proceeding involving a consolidated nationwide class action filed in a plaintiff-friendly jurisdiction and involving over-the-counter pharmaceutical products.

In other cases, Michael has been able to resolve the case early by narrowing the issues in discovery, developing facts that lead to an early resolution, and employing alternative dispute resolution strategies. Michael firmly believes that there are many ways to resolve a case other than by engaging in protracted and expensive discovery.

Michael’s complex civil litigation practice has also included such diverse matters as disputes involving software development agreements, environmental litigation, directors’ and officers’ liability, and litigation involving the interpretation and enforcement of indemnification agreements.

Languages

English

Memberships

Member, American Bar Association; Member, Defense Research Institute; Member, Bar of the District of Columbia

Education

J.D., University of Michigan Law School, cum laude, 1989; B.A., Yale University, cum laude, 1986

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation

With ‘an incredible grasp of the industry‘, Hogan Lovells US LLP‘s global automotive sector team acts for both traditional automotive companies and emerging mobility industry players. On the rail side, the transportation department is sought out by both freight and passenger railroad clients, and the team has particular expertise in the transportation of hazardous materials by rail, including regulatory compliance issues. Latane Montague focuses on the transportation industry’s safety and environmental regulations, Kevin Sheys is ‘extremely knowledgeable about railroad law‘, and Joanne Rotondi advises automotive manufacturers and suppliers on emissions, fuel economy, and greenhouse gas issues. Also key to the department, Michael Kidney defends clients in lawsuits targeting the automotive industry, William Yavinsky co-heads the global automotive industry sector group, and Ryan Ford is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer. In New York, John Sullivan is a franchise litigation expert, and senior counsel Carl Chiappa is a highly-rated motor vehicle franchise law specialist. Outside counsel for the Railway Supply Institute, Emily Kimball in Denver was promoted to partner in January 2023, counsel Hannah Graae is a regulatory expert, and senior associate Carolyn Kraska acts for a range of rail clients. All attorneys listed are in Washington DC, unless otherwise stated.