Michael J. Mazzone, co-chair of the Litigation Practice Group, is an accomplished trial lawyer who has tried jury cases against prominent trial lawyers in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico, and has handled cases pending in courts in North Dakota, Mississippi and Montana. Michael represents energy companies in environmental contamination, indemnity and toxic tort cases. He also represents office building owners and medical office building owners, industrial tenants, developers and landlords, landowners and homebuilders, lenders and brokers, and energy companies in a wide range of construction litigation/arbitration and real estate disputes.

Michael is board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Ranked by Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, as a leading lawyer in environment law in Texas (2015-2019), clients describe Michael as "practical, knowledgeable and down-to-earth. He doesn't overreact, and he takes a very reasoned approach to everything... he is the epitome of a good litigator; he doesn't depend on fireworks, he just gets up and does a good job."

Michael has made presentations on trial advocacy, arbitration and litigation at oil and gas industry conferences, bar association seminars, the Texas Environmental Superconference and the University of Texas Law School.

As an arbitrator, Michael is a member of the American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Construction Arbitrators where he is regularly called on to preside over numerous construction arbitration matters and has been a speaker at the AAA's National and Regional Panel Retreats, which are seminars providing training to AAA arbitrators.

For five years, Michael taught in the trial advocacy program at the University of Houston Law School as an adjunct professor of law, and he has served on the editorial board of the Houston Lawyer magazine, a publication of the Houston Bar Association. He oversees the firm’s Volunteer Prosecutors Program in which lawyers in the firm try misdemeanor jury trials for the cities of Houston and Arlington.

Bar Admissions
Texas; Massachusetts; North Dakota; U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western District of Texas;

Education
J.D., Suffolk University Law School, 1983
College of Arch. and Urban Planning, University of Michigan, 1978
B.S., Business Administration, University of South Carolina, 1977

Significant Accomplishments
Hazel Savoie, 38th Judicial District Court, Cameron Parish, Louisiana: Represented at trial a major energy company in "legacy" lawsuit brought by a landowner claiming property damages from an oil field pit. Post-trial proceedings are pending.

Jesco Operating, LP, 165th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas: Represented at trial energy company and pipeline owner in lawsuit by pipeline contractor claiming its business was destroyed by non-payment of invoices. At trial, plaintiff sought to recover the value of its business and other damages. The jury returned a verdict for the defense.

Gordon Westergren, 269th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas: Represented at trial the developer of the Port Crossing rail-served industrial park in a lawsuit by a plaintiff who claimed an ownership interest in the project. After trial, the court entered a judgment for the developer on all of plaintiff's claims. The court also entered a judgment for the developer against the plaintiff's partnership for all of the developer's attorneys' fees and other costs of defense.

Concepcion Acosta, 5th Judicial District, Lea County, New Mexico: Represented at trial a major energy company in lawsuit by approximately 200 plaintiffs who claimed that a tank battery/oil storage facility in their neighborhood caused personal injuries and property damages. At trial, plaintiffs sought over $54 million dollars for nine "trial plaintiffs." The jury returned a defense verdict on all issues.

Conroe Express Concrete, 410th Judicial District Court, Montgomery County, Texas: Represented at trial a national homebuilder in a breach of contract and warranty lawsuit against concrete supplier. Foundations of a number of homes built with the supplied concrete failed. The jury returned a verdict for the builder against the concrete supplier and the court entered a judgment on the verdict.

EDI Architecture, Inc., International Arbitration Association: Represented architectural firm in dispute with contractor over project in Luanda, Angola. Resolved by settlement prior to final hearing.

Darr Angell, U. S. District Court for the District of New Mexico: Represented at trial a major energy company in lawsuit by a landowner for environmental damages and injunctive relief. Claims against the company were dismissed (with prejudice) after cross-examination of Plaintiff's witnesses. No money was paid.

Jeanie R. Carter, 214th Judicial District Court, Nueces County, Texas: Represented at trial a major energy company in lawsuit brought by approximately 40 families who claimed that a refinery waste disposal pit in their neighborhood caused personal injuries and property damages. Before trial, plaintiffs dropped their personal injury claims. At trial, plaintiffs sought in excess of $170 million dollars for six "trial plaintiff" families. The jury returned a verdict for the company, and the untried claims of the remaining plaintiff families were settled for a token sum.

• Haynes and Boone in Inside Counsel: Is Your Company Prepared for a Product Recall?

  By Michael Mazzone |September 2016