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Overview

Michael concentrates his practice on general business litigation, which frequently involves complex commercial litigation and class action lawsuits.

He represents companies in the manufacturing, technology and transportation sectors, as well as clients in the financial and insurance industries. He is involved in all aspects of litigation – from the initial filing or defense of a lawsuit through trial and, when necessary, appeal – in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Michael’s industry experience includes: 

  • Achieving a bench-trial victory for a Canadian paper-products maker in a breach of contract lawsuit that it filed against an Illinois company. 
  • Securing a jury verdict for an appliance manufacturer in a product liability property damage lawsuit. 
  • Settling a breach of contract/breach of warranty lawsuit favorably for a Washington software company.

In the insurance industry, Michael has represented healthcare insurance and title insurance companies in multiple class action lawsuits. He also has extensive experience with a full range of commercial litigation for financial industry clients.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2024
  • Kansas City Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2015
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2015-2023, Rising Star, 2009, 2011-2014

Education

  • J.D., University of Missouri School of Law
      • Dean's List
      • Judge Ross T. Roberts Scholar
  • B.A., University of Missouri
    • Psychology
      • Bright Flight Scholarship
      • Curator's Scholars Award

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
  • Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Kansas Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Lawyers Association of Kansas City, Board of Directors, 2010-present 
  • The Missouri Bar

Clerkship

The Hon. Edwin H. Smith, Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, 2001-2003

Experience
  • Obtained summary judgment on all claims asserted against client in the mortgage banking industry in complex statewide class action regarding non-judicial foreclosures.
  • Represented Canadian paper-products company in a breach of contract lawsuit that it filed against an Illinois company. Prevailed in a bench trial, and decision was upheld on appeal.
  • Represented a Washington software company as lead counsel in breach of contract/breach of warranty lawsuit brought against it by Kansas company. Case settled on terms favorable to client.
  • Counseled appliance manufacturer in product liability property damage lawsuit brought by an insurance company that asserted a subrogation claim for the cost of the damage. Client obtained complete defense verdict at a jury trial.
  • Defended a health insurance industry client in multiple complex commercial litigation cases, including an antitrust case and several putative class action lawsuits involving regulatory interpretation.
  • Represented several financial services industry clients in multiple class action lawsuits involving the Missouri Second Mortgage Loan Act.
  • Defended a financial services client in antitrust case relating to Internet advertising.
  • Defended a title insurance company in several class action cases involving recording fees.
  • Defended a retail installment lender in several multiplaintiff cases involving allegations of consumer fraud.
  • Represented sauna corporation in a breach of contract arbitration. Obtained voluntary dismissal of all claims against client.
  • Represent industrial production client in commercial class action matters regarding fuel surcharges.
Community Leadership
  • Downtown Council of Kansas City