LEGAL MALPRACTICE DEFENSE

Michelle regularly defends law firms and attorneys against allegations of legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty. Recently she has:

• Defended an Am Law 100 law firm in a case involving allegations of malpractice in connection with patent prosecution. Following a three-week jury trial, the trial court entered a take-nothing judgement in favor of our client. Michelle tried the case with Murray Fogler & Jas Brar. The Court of Appeals recently upheld the judgment and the Texas Supreme Court has denied cert.
• Defended a prominent plaintiff’s lawyer in a two-week trial against former clients who were alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and seeking punitive damages. Despite the litany of complaints lodged by the Plaintiffs, the jury returned a complete defense verdict, finding no wrongdoing on behalf of the firm’s client. Michelle tried this case with Murray Fogler & Jas Brar as well.
• Defended large Texas-based law firm in a case involving allegations of malpractice arising from a family dispute. As part of this case, Michelle was part of a four-week trial. The case eventually settled.
• Defended multiple Am Law 100 law firms in cases that have settled on confidential terms after significant discovery and motion practice.

CONTRACT DISPUTES

Michelle represents both individuals and companies in breach of contract cases. These cases range from collections of unpaid amounts owed to heavily disputed and contentious battles arising from multi-million dollar contracts.

• Negotiated a work-out and secured payment for a client after a purchaser wrongly rejected goods and refused to pay.
• Obtained a summary dismissal for a client in federal court against breach of contract allegations.
• Secured a favorable outcome for a California client who had been sued in Texas. After removing the case to federal court, Michelle obtained a favorable ruling: the federal court determined that Texas did not have subject-matter jurisdiction over the California resident.

DEALERSHIP LAW

Michelle is familiar with the Texas Equipment Dealership Act and has developed a unique expertise in the area.

• Represented an industrial distributor in arbitration with its supplier.

CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION

Michelle also represents clients in construction litigation.

• Represented an engineering and environmental management company in a dispute with its primary subcontractor arising from the demolition of a power plant in Austin, Texas.
• Along with her partner, Robert Ford, Michelle has assisted a land-owner with a Chapter 95 defense case.

PROBATE LITIGATION & WILL CONTESTS

Michelle has also handled an array of other litigation matters including the representation of a charitable beneficiary of a Will in a probate contest, where she negotiated a favorable settlement for her client and other charitable beneficiaries on the eve of trial.

LITIGATION WHEN IT MATTERS MOST

Although Michelle’s practice is typically focused on commercial litigation, she has a heart for clients and has helped both individuals and companies in an array of matters. Michelle represents individuals or companies who have been wrongly denied insurance coverage or are being denied payment for work they have performed. She has assisted clients with obtaining HOA approval for solar panel installations. And she routinely assists the community with pro-bono matters for those that need legal assistance most.