As Co-Chair of Shook’s Business Litigation Practice Group, Mike focuses his practice on complex commercial disputes, with a special emphasis on construction. Mike has tried and won commercial cases across the country, both in courthouses and in arbitration rooms. A trial attorney first and foremost, Mike’s philosophy is simple: favorable resolutions are earned before trial only when prepared for trial. Outside of active litigation, Mike also serves as a critical business adviser to his clients, helping them navigate “troubled” projects or challenging business endeavors.
Construction - Mike defends and prosecutes performance, payment and defect claims with an emphasis on large heavy civil projects in the water, geotechnical and energy industries. He has a deep breadth of experience across multiple technologies; he served as lead counsel for contractor/supplier disputes involving TBM tunneling and shaft construction (Washington, D.C.), high-rise specialty foundations (Miami), advanced water treatment plants (Phoenix), soil improvement and dam construction (Alabama), deep water well design and construction (Georgia) and power generation facilities (Texas).
Breach of Contract - Mike represents businesses and corporations in prosecuting and defending litigation concerning purchase agreements, service contracts, warranty claims and licensing agreements.
Fiduciary Duty/Business Torts - Mike prosecutes and defends claims stemming from joint ventures, partnerships and shareholder relationships. This work also includes litigation involving individual owner/executive misconduct.
Professional Malpractice - Mike defends securities brokers, insurance agents, lawyers and other professionals in claims asserting failure of performance or breach of the appropriate standard of care.
Employment - Mike represents companies in the enforcement or defense of restrictive covenants in employment or executive agreements. His work is focused on the preservation of employers' rights.
Bankruptcy – Mike prosecutes the rights of business creditors in bankruptcy and adversary proceedings.
Representative Matters
February 2024 – Represented municipality in dispute concerning a $200M+ multi-use land development.
April 2023 –Represented international airport operator in dispute involving P3 terminal project.
January 2023 – Represented international renewable energy component manufacturer in multimillion dollar supplier dispute.
November 2022 – Represented international manufacturer in negotiating construction of $4 billion EV battery plant.
August 2020 – Represented international EPC firm in $30 million dispute involving construction of 200 MW onshore wind farm.
May 2020 – Represented ERISA plan sponsor in mass arbitration related to alleged $300 million loss to plan; included trying multiple AAA arbitrations to verdict.
August 2019 – Represented minority shareholder in multimillion dollar derivative claim involving international construction equipment manufacturing company.
August 2018 – Represented specialty foundation contractor in nine-figure dispute related to foundation remediation for tallest office tower on the West Coast.
May 2018 – Represented international water driller in dispute involving multimillion dollar cretaceous test well for the State of Georgia.
March 2017 – Represented Japanese heavy industry client in $130 million lawsuit asserting design defects at U.S. power generation facility.
July 2016 – Tried $13 million defective design claim concerning water treatment plants in the Southwest on behalf of international water resources company. Trial was before construction-specific arbitration panel; matter resolved on terms beneficial to client at the conclusion of the plaintiff/opposing party’s case.
August 2015 – Successfully resolved $30 million claim related to specialty foundation for condominium tower in Miami, Florida for international subterranean construction firm.
May 2013 – Successfully resolved $11 million claim arising from municipal utility project for international construction company.
April 2012 – Hired after trial and successfully secured reversal before the Oklahoma Supreme Court of a $10 million verdict in consumer protection, fraud case for international manufacturing client.
August 2011 – Prevailed in preserving multimillion dollar creditor claim through complex Chapter 11 proceeding; including trial of contested appointment of trustee and adversary proceeding.
November 2010 – Secured summary judgment for insurance broker on $13 million claim stemming from Katrina-related property damage.
October 2010 – Secured a defense verdict for broker-dealer client before Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitration panel.
December 2009 - Won a $2.7 million federal jury verdict in favor of client asserting claims for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of contract. Claims stemmed from the parties' failed joint venture to co-develop and co-own a software product. Federal court granted multimillion dollar fee award.
March 2009 - Successfully represented general contractor in breach of contract claim against project owner. Jury returned a verdict ($600,000) against owner for full amount of damages and rejected owner's million-dollar counterclaim.
Publications
Mike's recent publications include co-authoring the Kansas law chapter in the Defense Research Institute's Non-Compete national compendium and co-authoring an article on effective mentoring published in DRI's For the Defense magazine.
Presentations
Presented Effective Use of Video Depositions at Trial at the annual meeting of the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel.
Presented Kansas Non-Competes: A Primer at the annual meeting of the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel.