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.