Michael is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and attended The University of Missouri School of Law. He spent the first several years of his career practicing law in Jefferson City and Kansas City before returning home to work as an attorney in St. Louis.
Michael has represented clients in Federal and state courts in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and surrounding states. He has tried and argued cases on appeal in both Federal and state courts, including the Missouri Supreme Court. Michael’s experience spans cases involving trucking and motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, insurance coverage, contract and commercial disputes, premises liability, product liability, personal injury and wrongful death actions.
Perhaps most importantly, Michael brings a proven track record of professional excellence to each client’s case. He has achieved a Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating of AV – the highest possible rating of an attorney’s ethical standards and professional ability, as determined by other members of the bar and the United States judiciary. He also has been named in the annual listing of Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers each year since 2008. Super Lawyers Magazine reaches more than 13 million readers annually and, through independent research and nominations, recognizes outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Representative Cases
- State ex rel. Holzum v. Schneider, 342 S.W.3d 313 (Mo. Banc 2011)
- Stern v. Internal Medicine Consultants, 452 F.3d 1015 (8th Cir. 2006)
- Urologic Surgeons v. Bullock, 117 S.W.3d 722 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003)
- Mueller v. Bauer, 54 S.W.3d 652 (Mo. App. E.D. 2001)
Publications and Presentations
- “Medical Malpractice Legal Update,” published in the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers Newsletter, Spring 2009
- “Legal Update,” presented at the Washington University School of Medicine and BJC Health System Defense Counsel Seminar, 2008
- “The Defense of Medical Malpractice Cases After Tort Reform,” presented at the Missouri Bar Association’s Annual Medical Malpractice Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 2007
- “Double Indemnity?,” presented at the Healthcare Services Group Annual Defense Counsel Seminar, 2006
- “Missouri Tort Reform,” presented to The Medical Protective Company’s risk management seminar for its insureds, 2005
- “Deposition Tips and Traps,” presented to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Emergency Medicine Departments, 2002
- “Efficient Injustice: The Demise of the ‘Substantial Injustice’ Exception to Arbitral Finality,” University of Missouri Journal of Dispute Resolution, 1993
Community Service & Awards
- Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Peer Review Rating
- Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2008-Present
- Missouri Lawyers Weekly Top 35 Up & Coming Lawyers, 2007
- Director, St. Clare of Assisi Parish Soccer Program, 2007-2010
- Youth Soccer Coach, 2000-Present
- Mock Trial Coach, Villa Duchesne High School, 2011-Present