Michael Fitzpatrick is a member of the firm’s litigation department. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and a six-time Rising Star for Business Litigation in Super Lawyers magazine; one of the 2017 Up-and-Coming 100 lawyers in the Texas Rising Stars review process; and one of the 2017 Irish Legal 100’s Rising Stars, a listing of distinguished legal professionals of Irish descent from across the United States. Michael focuses his practice on assisting clients in general civil litigation matters. His wide range of experience includes litigation in oil and gas, construction, real estate, financial institutions, automobile dealer franchises, professional malpractice, and other commercial disputes.
A part of Harris, Finley & Bogle since 2002, Michael is admitted to practice before a variety of state and federal courts, from trial to appellate, in Texas, Arkansas and Pennsylvania. He has also served his community as a board member for the Irish Network Dallas-Fort Worth, former chairperson and member of the Ireland Funds’ Young Leaders Society, and coaches youth sports teams. Originally from New York City, he now lives in Arlington with his wife and children.
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – all trial and appellate courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits
Education
- Juris Doctor, Texas Tech University School of Law (cum laude)
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Corporate Finance and Risk Management, St. Mary's University
Presentations and Publications
- Discovery Update and Tips: Litigation Holds, presented to the State Bar of Texas Corporate Counsel Section (June 5, 2014)
- What is in the Water? The Rest of the EPA v. Range Resources Story and Why it Matters, co-presented with Andy Sims to the Houston Energy Risk Managers — North Texas (November 11, 2011)
- What is in the Water? The Rest of the EPA v. Range Resources Story and Why it Matters, presented to the National Association of Lease and Title Analysts (September 28, 2011)
- The Rest of the Story – the EPA Order Against Range Resources, co-presented with Andy Sims to the Tarrant County Bar Association Energy Law Section (April 7, 2011)
Additional Highlights
- Super Lawyer in Business Litigation by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service published in Texas Monthly (2017-Present)
- Rising Star in Business Litigation by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service published in Texas Monthly (2012-2017)
- Named in the Up-and-Coming 100 by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service published in Texas Monthly (2017)
- Named in Irish Legal 100’s Rising Stars by Irish Voice (2017)
- Master, Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court
- Member, Texas Association of Defense Counsel
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Life Fellow, Tarrant County Bar Foundation
- Member, Litigation Section, State Bar of Texas
- Member, Litigation Section, American Bar Association
Representative Cases
- Civil Action No. 4:16-CV-00094; Dana Hutchinson, et al. v. XTO Energy Inc., et al., in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas Western Division (successful defense of class action litigation resulting in denial of class certification) (February 2017)
- Civil Action No. 1:16-CV-00012; Mobley Lumber Company, et al. v. XTO Energy Inc., et al., in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas Northern Division (successful defense of class action litigation resulting in denial of class certification) (February 2017)
- Case No. 4:13-CV-0656; Whisenhunt Investments, LLC, et al. v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al., in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas Western Division (obtained groundbreaking summary judgment in favor of client regarding payment to royalty owners under 1/8 royalty pool statute in Arkansas) (July 28, 2016)
- Cause No. CIV-12-0457-JH, William Reece, et al. v. AES Corporation, et al., in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Oklahoma (successful representation of client in opposition to motion to remand under the Class Action Fairness Act) (April 2, 2013).
- Co-counsel in obtaining unanimous jury verdict after three-week trial in favor of oil and gas operator for claims of negligence, gross negligence, and breach of contract relating to drilling of gas well in Parker County, Texas
- Co-counsel in obtaining seven-figure arbitration award and judgment on behalf of service provider relating to contract dispute with a telecommunications contractor
- Assist in representation of oil and gas operator in federal, state, and administrative litigation proceedings relating to allegations of groundwater contamination
- Lead counsel in successfully defending automobile service contract provider in multiple lawsuits relating to warranty and contract disputes
