Michael J Schmidtberger

Practice Areas

MICHAEL J. SCHMIDTBERGER is the chair of the firm’s Executive Committee and a member of its Management Committee. He previously served as a global co-leader of the Investment Funds group and managing partner of Sidley’s New York office.

His principal areas of practice are securities and futures-related funds and corporate transactions, including related regulatory matters. Mike advises and represents clients in domestic and international offerings of hedge funds, fund of funds, public and private commodity pools, and structured derivative and principal-protected transactions. He has also counseled clients in numerous fund restructurings and work-out situations.

Mike’s leadership in assisting clients has earned him acknowledgment in numerous industry publications. He has been ranked by Chambers Global in Hedge Funds as a Band 1 lawyer from 2013 – 2018 and as an Eminent Practitioner from 2019 – 2022. He was recognized by Chambers USA as a Band 1 lawyer in the same category from 2010 – 2017 and as an Eminent Practitioner 2018 – 2021. According to clients in the 2021 guide, Mike is “an exceptional lawyer, someone who has years of deep experience in the industry,” and “he is one of the biggest names in the business.” Chambers has also described Mike as a hedge funds lawyer who is renowned for his fund formation and securities focus. “He ‘has a unique combination of business sense and in-depth technical knowledge,’ enthused one client.”

In 1982, Mike earned a B.A., cum laude, from Columbia College, as well as admission to Phi Beta Kappa and the Bennett Cerf Memorial Prize for Critical Writing. In 1985, he earned a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Columbia Human Rights Law Review.

In 2013, Mike received The John Jay Award, which is presented to members of the Columbia College family for distinguished professional achievement, and in 2018 he received the Columbia University Alumni Medal.

In 2011, Mike joined the Board of Directors of the United Way of New York City, and has served as Co-Chair of the Board since 2016. He also serves as the firm’s representative to the Partnership for New York City, the nonprofit membership organization comprised of New York business leaders, and as a Trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission, New York's leading economic and fiscal research organization.

Sidley’s award-winning Investment Funds group provides top-tier service to all aspects of the private funds industry. Chambers USA awarded the group top band rankings in Hedge Funds every year since 2008. Sidley has also been named “Law Firm of the Year” in Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law in U.S. News – Best Lawyers 2022 “Best Law Firms.”

Professional Memberships

Mike is co-chair of the Board of Directors of the United Way of New York City, and a member of the Columbia College Board of Visitors. Mike is the firm’s representative to the Partnership for New York City, the nonprofit membership organization comprising New York business leaders. He is also a Trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission, New York's leading economic and fiscal research organization.

Personal

In March 2013, Mike received The John Jay Award, which is presented to members of the Columbia College family for distinguished professional achievement. He received the Columbia University Alumni Medal at commencement in May 2018.