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Michael Kurzer advises clients on intellectual property, data privacy and cybersecurity risks in technology transactions and commercial agreements.

His clients include private equity firms and their portfolio companies, digital infrastructure and cloud providers, and sports leagues, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and sports technology.

Michael evaluates risks in M&A and private equity transactions, conducts diligence, and drafts and negotiates transaction agreements. This includes review of all IP, information technology, AI and data privacy and security terms in stock and asset purchase, merger, loan, credit and security agreements. He also drafts and negotiates ancillary agreements, including IP licenses and assignments, and data protection and information security agreements.

Michael also advises on standalone technology agreements, including development and commercialization agreements, joint ventures, collaborations, SaaS and cloud computing agreements, software and data licenses, and master services agreements. He brings a collaborative, big-picture approach to streamlining negotiations and resolving disputes.

In addition to transactional work, Michael counsels clients on operational risks and policies related to software, AI, data privacy and cybersecurity. He helps clients develop and regularly update privacy policies, information security policies and AI acceptable use policies.

Michael’s background as an engineer at Hewlett Packard, and his qualifications as a registered patent attorney and Certified Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) also give him valuable perspective when evaluating technical information and advising clients on complex technology matters. With more than 20 years of practicing intellectual property law, he combines technical knowledge with legal insight to help clients address challenges.

Experience

  • Advised multinational joint venture offering AI-ready cloud computing services in negotiation of its foundational and key commercial agreements
  • Represented a major sports league in agreements covering in-game tracking and data collection, design guidelines for improvements in equipment safety, and brand protection
  • Counseled a leading producer and logistics provider in its agreements with an AI software and hardware developer to build AI-driven autonomous driving technology in high-capacity trucks
  • Represented developer of in-venue interactive music and entertainment platform in its sale to a private equity firm
  • Advised a manufacturer of packaging products and machinery in its $2.6 billion sale to a private equity fund
  • Private equity firm in its $525 million acquisition of a cybersecurity software platform
  • Private equity firm in its lead investment in a $250 million Series D preferred stock financing round for an analytics-driven cybersecurity platform provider
  • A global technology company in its acquisition of a leading U.S. cloud services consultancy
  • Private equity firm and its climate solutions investing venture in its investment in a leading enterprise AI software platform provider for transforming planning and decision-making speed and quality
  • Private equity firm in its $150 million investment in a provider of satellite imagery in connection with the company’s acquisition by a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company
  • Special purpose acquisition company in its $5.5 billion acquisition of an AI-enabled technology platform for the supply chain

Credentials

Education

  • University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, J.D., 2004
  • Georgia Institute of Technology, with highest honors, 1997
    • Mechanical Engineering

Bar Admissions

  • New York, 2005

Affiliations

  • New York City Bar Association, Emerging Companies Committee

Other Admissions & Certifications

  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

Recognition

  • The Legal 500 U.S., Sport, 2024
  • Lawdragon, Selected to the 500 Leading Cybersecurity Lawyers in the World, 2024 and 2025
  • Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Selected to the New York Rising Stars list, 2013–2014

Insights & Events

View Insights & Events

Publications

  • Co-author, “Key considerations for your modular data centre procurement contract,” Data Centre Review (May 16, 2025)
  • Quoted, “AI Efficiency A Risk For Data Centers? Attys Don’t Think So,” Law360 (February 26, 2025)
  • Author, “Legal Strategies for building and operating AI-ready data centers,” Intelligent Data Centres (February 3, 2025)
  • Co-author, “Legal Pitfalls of ‘Influencer’ Marketing During the Pandemic,” Bloomberg Law (July 27, 2020)
  • Quoted, “Mitigating the Risks of Open-Source Software,” The Cybersecurity Law Report (March 13, 2019)
  • Quoted, “How Fund Managers Can Mitigate the Risks of Open-Source Software (Part Three of Three),” The Hedge Fund Law Report (March 7, 2019)
  • Quoted, “Benefits and Risks of Open-Source Software and How the Financial Sector Is Using It,” The Cybersecurity Law Report (March 6, 2019)
  • Quoted, “What Are the Benefits and Risks of Using Open-Source Software? (Part Two of Three),” The Hedge Fund Law Report (February 28, 2019)
  • Quoted, “What is Open-Source Software and How are Fund Managers Using It?,” The Hedge Fund Law Report (February 21, 2019)
  • Co-author, “IP Concerns for Venture-Backed Start-Ups Planning an Exit,” Bloomberg BNA’s Patent, Trademark & Copyright Journal (July 27, 2017)
  • Co-author, “Open Platform: What to Expect When You’re Indexing,” Inside Market Data (July 18, 2016)
  • Co-author, “What Should Startups Know About Open Source Software?,” American Lawyer’s LegalTech News (July 23, 2015)
  • “Short-sale disclosures would force investment managers to publicize secret sauce,” InvestmentNews (September 22, 2013)
  • “Regulation in the Cloud: Where is it Headed?” Money Management Executive (July 2012)
  • Co-author, “Does FINRA Regulate Cloud Computing?” Securities Technology Monitor (October 2011)
  • “Keeping Broker Records in The Cloud,” Securities Technology Monitor (January 2011).
  • Co-author “Cloud Computing Tips for Broker-Dealers, ATSs and ECNs,” Traders Magazine Online News (April 2010)
  • Co-author, “Covering Your ATS: The ABCs of Patents and Trade Secrets,” Traders Magazine Online News (April 2009)
  • Co-author, “Warn Potential Patent Infringers: But Do Your Homework First,” Patent Strategy and Management (Vol. 9, Number 11) (April 2009)
  • Co-author, “Admissibility of Settlement Communications In Patent Infringement Rule 11 Proceedings,” Patent Strategy & Management (Volume 7, Number 1) (June 2006)
  • Co-author, “Rule 11 and the Pre-Filing Requirements For Patent Infringement Suits: S.D.N.Y. Sanctions ResQNet.com, Attorneys,” Andrew Litigation Reporter (Volume 2, Issue 2) (July 2005)
  • “Who Has the Right to Edit a Movie?: An Analysis of Hollywood’s Efforts to Stop Companies from Cleaning up Their Works of Art,” 11 UCLA Entertainment Law Review 41 (2004)
  • “The Dawn of Digital Cinema: Issues in Law and Technology,” UCLA Journal of Law and Technology Notes 9 (2002)

Presentations

  • Moderator Panel, “Embedding Cybersecurity into Corporate Culture: Leadership Strategies for Resilience”, Global GRC, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity ConfEx (May 21, 2025)
  • Discussing Cybersecurity Trends on Nasdaq Trade Talks (February 11, 2025)
  • Discussing EU AI Act on Nasdaq Trade Talks (April 11, 2024)
  • Speaker, “Representing Venture-Backed Companies,” New York City Bar (March 11, 2019)
  • Speaker, “Legal Challenges Surrounding Use of Open Source Software,” IP Service World Conference, Munich, Germany (November 27, 2018)
  • Presenter & Faculty Member, “Representing Venture-Backed Companies,” New York City Bar Association (May 18, 2017)
  • Panelist, “Monetizing IP Assets,” Cardozo School of Law, New York, New York (March 2014)
  • Presenter, “Eze Castle Integration, Doing Your Cloud Homework: Legal, Tech & Security Questions Answered for Investment Firms,” Webinar (February 2012).
  • Speaker, FinCLOUD 2011, Second Annual Conference (November 2011)
  • Speaker, “Cloud Computing on Wall Street Breakfast Briefing,” Financial Technologies Forum (April 2011)

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