Mike concentrates his practice in the areas of business and commercial litigation, franchise and distribution litigation, and labor and employment litigation. He has obtained defense verdicts and judgments in trials in both state and federal courts, and has represented clients from a wide range of industries in complex commercial and class action litigation. Mike has successfully tried cases involving franchisee/franchisor disputes, commercial contract disputes, constitutional challenges to state statutes, property disputes, and discrimination and other employment-related disputes. He has obtained defense verdicts and summary dismissals in federal and state courts in cases involving Title VII race and sex discrimination, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA and related state law causes of action. Mike also has advised a wide range of clients regarding labor relations strategy, including union avoidance and defensive strategies during union organizing campaigns and union representation elections. He has successfully represented clients in proceedings before the Department of Labor and negotiated substantially reduced penalties for violations of wage and hour laws. In addition, he has represented clients in collective bargaining negotiations and acted as lead counsel in more than 100 labor arbitrations involving discipline and contract language issues, as well as representing clients in unfair labor practice proceedings, and election challenges before the National Labor Relations Board.
Mike started his career in 1995 as an attorney with Husch Blackwell and left to practice with Jones Day from 1998 to 2004. He returned to the firm in 2004.
Professional Associations & Memberships
· J. Reuben Clark Law Society
· Kansas Bar Association
· The Missouri Bar
· State Bar of Texas
Civic Involvement
· Spofford Home, Board of Directors, President
Experience
· Represented publicly traded company in civil rights and consumer protection lawsuit filed by state attorney general; obtained dismissal in client's favor.
· Represented a national automotive service company in a California class action involving claimed violations of wage and hour provisions. Obtained settlement favorable to client after taking the depositions of the class representatives.
· Represented hedge fund manager in arbitration in Los Angeles - won significant victory, defeating $25 million claim.
· Obtained jury verdict in favor of franchisor client enforcing a franchise agreement against a franchisee that attempted to open and operate a related competing business in an attempt to avoid the payment of franchise fees.
· Successfully defended school district client in an action seeking to invalidate the sale of school property based on alleged violations of statutory bid procedures.
· Obtained permanent injunctions enforcing post termination provisions of franchisee agreements where three separate franchisees attempted to disregard the obligations of the franchise system and converted operating franchise locations to independently operated locations. Obtained an order from the court requiring the franchisees to turn over the operation of the franchise locations to the franchisor.
· Obtained summary judgment in case involving allegations of age and race discrimination in employment.
· Obtained defense verdict in federal jury trial regarding claims of race discrimination in employment.
· Represented publicly traded company in class action antitrust suit filed by employees; obtained dismissal in client's favor.
News & Publications
News
8.23.11, Husch Blackwell Obtains $9 Million Verdict for Kansas City, Missouri School District Against State of Missouri
Publications
1.1.03, Recent Developments in Traditional Labor Law, National Employment Law Institute Materials, Recent Development in Public Education Law, 27 The Urban Lawyer 897
Events
4.15.11, Issues in Higher Education
Kansas City, MO
Seminar
4.23.10, Issues in Higher Education Seminar
Kansas City, MO
Seminar
4.17.09, Issues in Higher Education Seminar
Kansas City, MO
Seminar