Jonathan Michael Thomas

Partner

Jonathan Michael Thomas

Partner

Michael Thomas is a trial attorney focusing his practice in complex commercial and intellectual property litigation. He also has substantial experience handling high-risk securities matters, particularly matters involving registered investment advisory firms and independent advisors. Michael is a Dallas-based partner with the firm and a member of the Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice.

Michael has tried cases in both state and federal courts as well as arbitration in Texas, California, Florida, Colorado, New York, Utah, and Pennsylvania. His litigation style has earned him a reputation for being a creative, out-of-the-box problem solver, and a well-prepared advocate for his clients.

Michael routinely handles large, complex, multiparty matters including cases involving the proper management of registered investment advisory firms and supervision of independent advisors; theft of trade secrets; patent and copyright infringement; covenants not to compete; partnership disputes; breaches of contract and fiduciary duties, along with other business torts; employee theft, fraud, and embezzlement.

Michael has experience in all aspects of litigation in state and federal court and a significant amount of trial experience exceeding most of his peers. His experience includes all phases of trial including pre-trial proceedings, opening statements, closing arguments, expert witness preparation and examination, and direct and cross examination of witnesses.

As a trial lawyer with extensive trial experience, Michael has cultivated a reputation that stands out among his peers. Michael concentrates his practice on complex commercial and intellectual property litigation and has first-chair experience in both patent and securities jury trials. Michael has also led numerous trial teams in complex arbitrations of commercial and securities disputes. This breadth of experience in high-stakes environments has honed his skills in crafting compelling stories for his clients and simplifying complex issues for juries and arbitrators alike. Michael was honored as Litigator of the Week by Am Law Litigation Daily for the successful defense of Indect in the Indect v. Park Assist patent litigation case tried in the Southern District of California. Such recognition highlights his ability to lead a trial team and win significant cases, reinforcing his standing as a formidable trial lawyer. In the court, he was described by a client as a “fierce and zealous advocate who go[es] above and beyond for…clients.” Michael’s comprehensive experience in commercial and patent litigation, combined with a proven track record of successful outcomes, positions him as a creative trial lawyer capable of delivering exceptional results for his clients.

Representative Experience

  • Defended private company in the automotive industry in a national class action dispute involving claims related to an alleged data breach and exposure of customers’ personally identifiable information or PII.
  • Defended an accused infringer in a patent infringement case. Shared first chair responsibilities in trying the patent infringement case to a jury. Jury found non-infringement for our client and that Park Assist engaged in unfair competition by asserting patent infringement claims against our client.
  • Defended a registered investment advisory firm in claims that it was vicariously liable for the purported improper conduct of its independent agent. After four weeks of a jury trial, the court dismissed all claims against our client finding that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing against our client.
  • Defended a registered investment advisory firm in six separate arbitrations involving claims of an alleged Ponzi scheme. Obtained full defense arbitration award “zeroing out” claims for fraud, securities fraud and contract claims.
  • Obtained a Temporary Restraining Order and injunction (during COVID-19 when the courts were closed) on behalf of a registered investment advisory firm against the former CEO who was taking actions to harm the company and its relationships with its certified custodian. Ultimately, leveraged the injunction into a favorable settlement for the company.
  • Defeated a request for injunction sought against a registered investment advisory firm for alleged breach of contract claims. Shortly thereafter, obtained a favorable settlement.
  • Led a national trial team on behalf of an independent investment advisor who sought to sever his relationship with his former RIA and join a new RIA. By preemptively filing suit in California, thereby defeating subsequent lawsuits filed in Florida and a New Jersey based arbitration. Obtained a favorable settlement as a result of our early trial strategy and preemptive action.
  • Obtained a judicial foreclosure on a commercial property in federal court on an emergency motion when local government was not handling foreclosures due to COVID-19.
  • Co-chaired the trial team that obtained a US$10m jury verdict in favor of food industry client against poultry manufacturers for supply of thousands of pounds of “boneless” chicken containing bone, plastic, and metal.
  • Represented a small manufacturer against a nationally recognized manufacturer on claims for patent infringement. Obtained a multimillion-dollar settlement on the eve of trial.
  • Obtained US$13m jury verdict in favor of Park Place Motorcars Ltd. and Park Place RB Ltd in fraud, theft, and fiduciary breach case against former independent contractor.
  • Obtained summary judgment on all claims in defense of theft of trade secrets and tortious interference claims
  • Obtained a multimillion-dollar settlement on the eve of a bench trial against a real estate developer who fraudulently transferred assets in advance of filing for bankruptcy.
  • Obtained a TRO against a manufacturer to prohibit the sale of a product that infringed a copyrighted pattern. Successfully leveraged the injunction into a favorable settlement, which included a favorable settlement payment and destruction of the offending inventory.
  • Defended company against theft of trade secrets and violations of covenants not to compete in federal court. After defeating requests for injunctive relief, obtained a favorable settlement which resulted in a zero dollar payment to the plaintiff.
  • Obtained a trademark cancellation on behalf of a charitable organization whose former member registered the trademark and attempted to assume control of the organization through his improper registration of the trademark.

While in law school, Michael worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission focusing on religious and other discrimination claims. He also served as a judicial intern in the 116th Judicial District Court in Dallas. Following law school, Michael joined one of the preeminent litigation boutiques in Dallas, where he handled commercial lawsuits in federal, bankruptcy and state courts. He also coached a highly successful mock trial team at SMU, in which he taught law students the art of trial advocacy.

Awards and Recognition

  • Recognized, Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers®, a Thomson Reuters business, as published in Texas Super Lawyers Magazine (2019-2022)

Affiliations

  • Member, State Bar of Texas
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association
    • Labor and Employment Section
    • Litigation Section

Community Involvement

  • Member, Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Dallas Regional Chamber Young Professionals (YP)
  • Member, Dallas Christian Legal Society
28 November 2023 Busted

Recap of Season 1 + Introduction to Season 2

In this episode, hosts Michael Thomas and Drew Howell recap season 1 of Busted, all about the trusted employee.
22 March 2023 Honors and Awards

Foley Attorneys Named to 2023 Texas Rising Stars List

Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that 10 attorneys from the firm’s Dallas and Houston offices have been named to the 2023 Texas Rising Stars list.
16 February 2023 Deals and Wins

Foley Obtains Directed Verdict for Client in Securities Fraud Case

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that after more than four years of contentious litigation and a five-week jury trial, a California judge granted nonsuit, the California equivalent of a judgment as a matter of law, in favor of the firm’s client Fusion Capital Management.
02 December 2022 In the News

Michael Thomas and Drew Howell Discuss Latest Episode of Busted Podcast

Foley & Lardner LLP Partner Michael Thomas and Senior Counsel Drew Howell are quoted in the Milwaukee Business Journal article, “‘Busted’: Sachdeva embezzlement resurfaces on podcast from Foley & Lardner attorneys,” discussing the latest episode of their financial crime podcast Busted.
23 November 2022 Busted

Sujata “Sue” Sachdeva and Koss Corp.

In this episode of Busted, Michael Thomas and Drew Howell take a look into the elaborate scheme of Sue Sachdeva, and how she disguised her apparent philanthropic ways into embezzling over $34 million from her employer, Koss Corporation, over a 12-year span.
30 September 2022 In the News

Foley Team Receives ‘Litigator of the Week’ Shout Out for INDECT Patent Trial Win

Foley & Lardner LLP received recognition in The Am Law Litigation Daily column, “Litigator of the Week Runners-Up and Shout Outs,” for its trial victory on behalf of INDECT USA Corp.