Michael Burk | Austin Lawsuit & Dispute Lawyer

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
The Firm recently represented a renowned European Motocross World-Champion Racer in a plaintiff shareholder oppression case in South Texas seeking to recover millions of dollars in money damages and real estate for the company in which he owned an interest. The majority shareholder improperly transferred to herself as well as sold millions of dollars in real estate lots to companies in which she owned an interest to the detriment of our client and his interest in the company. After an extensive trial a jury verdict was issued in our client's favor with for 3.6 million dollars. The case then settled with the result that our client started with 25% of the company lot assets and end up with 60%.

How did you build a successful practice?
Lead trial lawyer and senior attorney clerked for a local federal judge. He also worked for a number of years for a large local firm. He became AV-rated highest Martindale Hubbell after only seven years, and has been selected since its inception as one of the Top Rated lawyers in Texas. Our firm goes up against the largest firms, and many of the best firms in Texas and the United States and has an extraordinarily high rate of success for clients. We are known for being able to strategize, prosecute and win cases that other AV-rated firms have neglected as too tough. We have taken over several high-profile cases at the 11th hour weeks before trial.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
The key to a successful attorney-client relationship is finding an attorney who: 1) has major successful experience in the type of dispute the prospective client has; 2) having the attorney candidly discuss the actual typical historical costs and pros and cons of undertaking a lawsuit and any alternative means of potential resolution; 3) negotiating a fee agreement that is fair to both the client and the firm.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Depending on the type of case, and whether, state or federal, anywhere from insignificant to a major factor. Local knowledge is helpful but not determinative of the success of a case.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
General options available for the type of lawsuit or business matter the client may have. A phone consolation is the first step in determining if the attorney and the potential client would be a good fit. If so, the attorney will provide instruction and options on how to proceed. If the firm and matter are not a good fit, the firm will offer a referral to an attorney more suited to handle the matter.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
Relevant facts and legal documents.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
A historically high and outstanding level of success achieved through experience, and adherence to high quality legal standards.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Resolving difficult and intractable problems for clients through successful lawsuits, and innovative business law solutions.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
Spending time with my wife and son; entrepreneurial endeavors; charitable legal guidance and work; exercise; reading copious amounts of material in multiple discipline.

Are you involved in your community?
The firm gives to multiple local charities; the lawyers in the firm constantly give pro bono (free) legal help to the less fortunate; the firm has assisted clients in setting up charitable entities and getting them off the ground.

• Member, American Association for Justice, 1989–present
  Member, American Bar Association, 1983–present
  Member, State Bar of Texas, 1983–present

• AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, '00, '09, '12, '13
  AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, 2011
  Preeminent Lawyer Designation Since 1998, Martindale-Hubbell/Lexis Nexis, 2010
  AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell, 2010
  Member, American Bar Association Advisory Panel, American Bar Association, 2008-Present
  Member, The College of State Bar of Texas, 2007-Present

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