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Overview

A seasoned healthcare litigator, Mike has a long history of fiercely advocating for and defending others.

Mike represents Fortune 500 and privately held companies including pharmacies, home health service companies, physicians and pharmaceutical corporations in a range of litigation matters in federal and state courts and in arbitration proceedings across the nation. He has also briefed and argued cases in the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Matters he handles include contract disputes, business torts, product liability, malpractice, employment and class action defense. Although he frequently guides healthcare entities, he’s also heavily involved in railroad litigation, representing railway companies in crossing accidents and injury cases.

When a case is filed, or even threatened, Mike is often the first call clients make. His in-depth understanding of their business allows him to craft effective solutions in line with a company’s business goals. Mike works hand-in-hand with in-house counsel. Clients appreciate Mike’s history of public service and advocating for others, including as a mental health case worker and St Louis city police officer.

Industries

Services

Recognition

Education

  • J.D., Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
    • Order of the Coif
    • Dean's List
    • Honor Council
    • Honor Scholar Award
    • Joseph Kutten Award in Insurance
    • National Trial Competition, regional winner
    • Wiley Rutledge Moot Court Competition, board member
    • William M. Pomerantz Trial Prize
  • B.A., University of Missouri-Saint Louis
    • Pyschology
    • Dean's List

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis 
  • The Missouri Bar
Experience
  • Obtained one of the largest reported plaintiff verdicts in Missouri in 2013 involving a commercial dispute. After a week-long trial, the jury assessed compensatory damages of approximately $1 million and punitive damages of $12.2 million.
  • Obtained a defense verdict after a week-long jury trial on behalf of The Kansas City Southern Railway Company in a case brought under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).
  • Won a million-dollar verdict for a client in an insurance dispute after a week-long trial in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri.
  • Won a defense verdict for a financial services company in a contract dispute after a trial in Ohio Court of Common Pleas.
  • Won defense verdict on behalf of a Fortune 150 company in a breach of contract action after a week-long arbitration in Minnesota.
  • Obtained a defense verdict in an employment case when the plaintiff sued client, BJC Medical Group, an affiliate of BJC HealthCare, alleging that she was terminated because she was disabled and/or the employer perceived her as disabled. The jury returned a defense verdict after approximately 30 minutes. BJC is one of the largest employers in the state of Missouri.
  • Won defense verdict for a local physician after a week-long trial in a medical malpractice action in St. Charles County Circuit Court, and assisted in successfully defending the verdict on appeal with the Missouri Court of Appeals.
  • Litigated numerous pharmacy malpractice cases in state and federal courts around the country involving allegations that the pharmacy dispensed contaminated medication compounded for intrathecal use.
  • Obtained summary judgment for local hospital in an employment discrimination case in St. Louis County Circuit Court and assisted in defending the judgment on appeal with the Missouri Court of Appeals.
  • Obtained summary judgment for a home health service company in a medical malpractice action in Kentucky Circuit Court.
  • Obtained summary judgment for a Columbia, Mo., hospital in an employment discrimination case in U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri.
  • Litigated a train derailment case in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, brought on behalf of a Class I railroad against a shipper for damages suffered by the railroad as a result of a derailment, placing the railroad in a superior bargaining position to obtain a favorable settlement.
  • Assisted in obtaining dismissal of a case against a Fortune 150 company in U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky, involving allegations of tortious interference with a contract.
News Releases | October 01, 2019
Benchmark Litigation's 2020 Edition Recognizes 33 Husch Blackwell Attorneys

The firm also received Benchmark’s “Highly Recommended” ranking in Missouri and Wisconsin and its “Recommended” ranking in Nebraska.

Outside the Office

When away from courtrooms and conference tables, Mike spends time with his family.

Mike enjoys spending time with his family, hiking or biking Missouri's trails, and cooking.