Michael represents clients in a wide variety of complex commercial and intellectual property litigation in state and federal courts and arbitral forums. His commercial litigation experience includes matters involving breach of contract, oil and gas, employment contracts, eminent domain, legal malpractice defense, construction, and fraud. In the areas of technology and intellectual property, his experience includes patent, trademark, copyright infringement, licensing disputes, and trade secret litigation.

Michael has also served as the Loss Prevention Partner for the Firm’s Litigation Section since 2022.

Complex Commercial Litigation

Michael has substantial experience in commercial litigation, which includes:

• Representing oil and gas refinery in dispute over pricing of gas during Winter Storm Uri. After a week-long arbitration involving multiple witnesses and expert witnesses, the panel unanimously ruled in favor of client that gas at issue was storage gas and not bought on spot market.
• Representing oil and gas clients in numerous lawsuits throughout Texas arising out of Winter Storm Uri involving disputes pertaining to the pricing and delivery of gas during the storm.
• Representing oil and gas refinery client in suit to recover damage caused by a crane collapse during a pick-and-carry operation. Case favorably settled the day before trial commenced.
• Representing real estate development company in suit to recover on surety bond after general contractor filed for bankruptcy and walked off job. Obtained successful settlement on behalf of client early in the litigation by engaging in informal discovery process and mediation.
• Representing foreign oil and gas products company in defending against lawsuit filed in Harris County District Court. Case was successfully removed to federal court and an order compelling arbitration in accordance with the parties’ agreement was obtained.
• Representing international oil and gas company in multi-million dollar products liability lawsuit against manufacturer of casing used in 22 oil and gas wells in the Bakken and Three Forks formations. After extensive written discovery and depositions, including expert discovery, the client was able to reach a confidential settlement on the eve of trial.
• Representing life insurance company in defending a breach of contract lawsuit regarding alleged failure to issue policies in which Plaintiff sought over $50 million in damages. After engaging in discovery and depositions, a complete summary judgment was obtained dismissing Plaintiff’s claims.
• Obtaining a temporary restraining order and temporary injunction on behalf of an Austin client in a lease dispute with a commercial landlord.
• Representing a consortium of telecommunications clients in a regulatory dispute with another carrier in multiple cases in the Western and Eastern Districts of Texas and the Eastern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court. A favorable opinion was obtained from the Western District of Texas, remanding disputes back to state commissions.
• Representing a technology manufacturer in defending breach-of-contract and fraud claims arising out of a license dispute in the Western District of Texas. A take-nothing jury verdict was entered in favor of the client.
• Representing a cable operator in a lawsuit involving claims of trespass, conversion, unauthorized use of property, negligence, gross negligence, and aiding and abetting liability. The action was settled prior to trial.
• Obtaining summary judgment on behalf of a water well owner against claims alleging permanent nuisance, declaratory relief and monetary damages for diminished property value.

Intellectual Property and Trade Secret Litigation

Michael's experience in intellectual property litigation includes:

• Representing Austin based company against claims of trademark infringement and unfair competition relating to sale of health food product in Western District of Texas. Defeated motion for preliminary injunction that would have prevented sale of product throughout United States after three-day evidentiary hearing.
• Representing utility company in trademark infringement and dilution action against competitor.
• Representing Austin-based software company in software licensing dispute against aerospace manufacturer. Case successfully settled after filing arbitration claim with WIPO utilizing expedited action procedures.
• Defending software company against allegations of trade secret misappropriation and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duties in Western District of Texas. Case favorably settled after two-day temporary injunction hearing in which the Court denied Plaintiff’s request for injunctive relief.
• Representing closely held company in litigation against ex officer and shareholder, ensuring that company’s trade secrets were protected from disclosure.
• Representing corporation against ex-employees who had improperly acquired confidential and trade secret information for use in competing business. All information was returned and case favorably settled after conducting forensic examination of ex-employees’ laptops.
• Defending surveillance products company in patent infringement lawsuit in Eastern District of Texas. Case favorably settled.
• Representing Austin software company in patent infringement lawsuit in Eastern District of Texas. Case favorably settled.
• Representing a manufacturer in litigation in state and federal courts in Midland involving claims of patent infringement, false marking, trademark infringement, false advertising and related state law claims. Michael, along with other firm members, obtained summary judgment on the patent and trademark claims, and the case subsequently settled.
• Prosecuting claims of trademark infringement, dilution and unfair competition on a statewide basis in all federal districts in Texas on behalf of an oil and gas industry client against more than forty different gas station operators and owners.

News

Publications

• Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, a Thomson Reuters service, Business Litigation (2013-2019)
• Benchmark Litigation Future Star (17th ed., 2024)
• Barrister, Robert Calvert American Inn of Courts (2014-2024)

• State Bar of Texas
• Austin Bar Foundation (Fellow)
• Austin Bar Association: Litigation Section
• Baylor Bear Foundation