Michael has over 30 years of experience practicing in business litigation. He focuses in the areas of commercial, appellate, employment and intellectual property litigation.
He acts as a consultant in legal ethics matters and frequently serves as an expert witness on these matters. He has testified before state and federal courts on numerous occasions on such issues. He is a frequent presenter of continuing legal education programs in the areas of litigation and legal ethics and has authored a number of articles in the area of legal ethics.
Awards & Recognitions
· Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star, 2012
· The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Intellectual Property, Litigation-Securities, 2009-2012
· Colorado Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2006-2012
Professional Associations & Memberships
· American Bar Association
· Colorado Bar Association, Ethics Committee, Former Chair, 1991-1992
· Colorado Supreme Court, Civil Procedure Committee, Appellate Procedure Committee, Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct Committee; New Rules of Professional Conduct Subcommittee, Former Chair, 2008
Experience
· Successfully represented medical device company sued for alleged misappropriation of trade secrets. Damages claimed were $48 million. Clients were absolved of any liability and all claims against them were dismissed.
· Represented a state district judge in an action under the federal Privacy Act against the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was settled on terms favorable to our client.
· Represented an owner of a $40 million jet aircraft against one of the world's largest foreign pharmaceutical companies in a lawsuit for breach of contract to sell the airplane. The Colorado Federal Court asserted personal jurisdiction over the foreign defendant on a novel theory of personal jurisdiction and, after numerous depositions in the United States and Europe, the case was ultimately settled on terms favorable to our client. SGI, Inc. v. Novartis, A.G., 239 F. Supp.2d 1161 (D.Colo. 2003).
· Represented an officer of an internet services company for claims of wrongful discharge and breach of employment contract. Obtained a judgment in excess of $1 million, which was affirmed by the Colorado appellate courts. Montemayor v. Jacor Communications, Inc., 64 P.3d 916 (Colo. App. 2002)
News & Publications
News
3.2.12, Colorado Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2012 Names 17 Husch Blackwell Attorneys
11.22.11, Husch Blackwell Recognized by Benchmark Litigation 2012 in Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska
9.6.11, More Than 100 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2012
7.13.11, Husch Blackwell Continues Strategic Denver Expansion With Addition of 24 Attorneys
Publications
1.1.11, Inadvertent Disclosure of Confidential or Privileged Information, The Colorado Lawyer
1.1.09, The Duty of Confidentiality: Legal Ethics and the Attorney-Client and Work Product Privileges, The Colorado Lawyer
8.1.07, The New Rules of Professional Conduct - A Survey of the Most Important Changes, The Colorado Lawyer
5.1.01, Preservation of the Attorney-Client Privilege: Using Agents and Intermediaries to Obtain Legal Advice, The Colorado Lawyer
Events
11.11.11, Ethics - The Rules as They Apply to the Trial and Pretrial Process
Denver, CO
Speaking Engagement