Michael represents clients in high-stakes trials, arbitrations, and disputes they simply cannot afford to lose. He has lead counsel litigation experience in matters exceeding $200 million in controversy and first-chair trial experience in matters exceeding $25 million in controversy. His results have been profiled by leading law publications, including Law360 and Top Verdict. In 2023, Top Verdict recognized Michael for securing the largest environmental law jury verdict in the State of Texas.
Lawdragon Honors
| Honor | Year | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2026 | Commercial Litigation, Oil & Gas |
Michael has built a reputation as a relentless advocate at every stage of litigation. His personal attention to every detail on a file has given rise to a renowned work ethic. He is known by judges and juries as a straight-shooter who unflinchingly owns both good and bad facts in litigation, explaining why his client is entitled to victory.
Michael is a passionate advocate for the jury trial process and believes lawyers are at their best when they take time to find creative solutions to perceived roadblocks. He frequently checks in with clients to ensure that his litigation strategy aligns with both the client’s strategic goals for each case and their long-term litigation strategy. In general, Michael measures the success of a file based on the final result, the cost of achieving the result, and the length of time it takes from initiation of the lawsuit to resolution of the matter.
Michael has a reputation for translating technically complex concepts, such as engineering, to judges and juries in terms they can understand and appreciate. Clients and juries have also recognized that Michael builds his cases on cross-examination. National law firms have hired Michael as local counsel and relied on him to cross-examine witnesses he had never met during high-stakes injunction hearings.
Michael’s clients recognize him as an exceptional litigator for complex oil and gas disputes. Top oil and gas companies have relied on Michael to lead litigation efforts for matters ranging from damaged oil and gas reservoirs to insurance recovery matters to complex title disputes.
Michael also has extensive experience interacting with federal and state agencies on behalf of clients accused of wrongdoing, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others. Industry trade associations have asked Michael to draft comments on proposed rules that would impact unconventional oil and gas development.
Michael is admitted to practice in 10 states and six federal courts. He is licensed in Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.