Michael Davis focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation.
Prior to law school, Michael worked at a transitional living program for young men with substance abuse disorders in Dallas, Texas. Following law school, Michael was a law clerk to Judge Gregg Costa, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, from 2018 to 2019.
Steven Simmons v. Home Asset, Inc. d/b/a NewQuest Properties
Representing NewQuest Properties against fiduciary-duty claims arising from a commercial real estate transaction in Greater Houston. In January 2023, following a two-week jury trial in which the plaintiffs sought more than $10 million in disgorgement and more than $70 million in punitive damages, the jury returned a take-nothing defense verdict.
Deselms v. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Representing Anadarko and Occidental Petroleum against a liability class certified to bring antitrust claims, under Section 2 of the Sherman Act, related to permitting and leasing in Laramie County, Wyoming. Summary judgment motions are pending, and the case is set for trial in Wyoming federal court in August 2024.
Lone Star Production Co., et al. v. EP Energy E&P Company, L.P, et al.
Represented Lone Star and other holders of oil-and-gas interests as plaintiffs in a lawsuit concerning the release of more than 30,000 acres of leases in the Permian Basin. The lawsuit settled favorably and is currently stayed pending full payment of the settlement amount.
Enterprise Products Operating LLC v. Amec Foster Wheeler USA Corp.
Represented Enterprise in a lawsuit against a terminated EPC contractor and its British parent company concerning large petrochemical refinery constructed in Mont Belvieu, Texas. After a 3-month bench trial, the defendants paid Enterprise $115 million to settle the case.
In re Dealer Management Systems Antitrust Litigation
Represented The Reynolds and Reynolds Company in defense of antitrust claims consolidated in the Northern District of Illinois and in Reynolds’s prosecution of counterclaims under the Copyright Act, Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and state law. Myriad claims and counterclaims settled on confidential terms.
Jonah Energy LLC v. CTAP, LLC
Represented oil-and-gas operator Jonah Energy in AAA arbitration, where Jonah brought product-defect claims arising out of downhole pipe failures. The claims were tried before a three-member panel, resulting in an $11.1 million award to Jonah. Jonah’s motion to confirm the award was then granted over CTAP’s motion to vacate in Colorado state court.
FLSA Plaintiffs v. Workrise Technologies, Inc.
Representing Workrise Technologies, Inc. (f/k/a RigUp, Inc.) in connection with a number of lawsuits and arbitrations concerning allegations of misclassification and unpaid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act, including a three-day AAA arbitration in October 2023. Some cases have settled confidentially; others are ongoing.
Williams Hart Boundas Easterby LLP, et al. v. Steven Kherkher
Represented renowned personal injury law firm and two of its partners in a AAA arbitration against a former partner regarding the amount of his capital payout. After a week-long arbitration hearing, the arbitrator denied the former partner’s claim that the parties had formed an oral agreement that overrode the partnership agreement.
University of Texas Law School, J.D., with highest honors, 2018
Grand Chancellor
Order of the Coif
Texas Law Review, Chief Articles Editor
Dallas Theological Seminary, M.A., 2015
Brown University, B.A., 2010
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch
Commercial Litigation, 2024
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Houston Bar Association, Member
“Addiction, Criminalization, and Character Evidence,” 96 Texas L. Rev. 619 (2018)