Michael P. Sharp

About Michael

EXPERIENCE

Mike Sharp represents companies and individuals in high-exposure disputes in federal and state courts throughout Texas.

Mr. Sharp has been trial counsel for clients in a broad range of matters from transportation, construction liability and defects and labor/employment to premises liability and property management. Mr. Sharp regularly serves as lead trial counsel for national companies and individuals facing high-risk, multimillion-dollar liability and catastrophic tort actions, including actions in some of the most dangerous, high-verdict jurisdictions in the country. Mr. Sharp acts as state and regional counsel for several motor carrier, retailer and property management clients.

Mr. Sharp has developed a particular ability in quickly and accurately evaluating lawsuits and other risks for clients. He concentrates on implementing creative and aggressive strategies to change the dynamics of a case, even in its late stages, and to obtain the best possible result in settlement or trial. Mr. Sharp’s diverse trial experience provides a solid foundation for him to counsel clients on the resolution of disputes through alternative dispute mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration, summary jury trials and jury trials.

Mr. Sharp has been recognized by his peers as a Super Lawyer in Texas (representing the top five percent of Texas lawyers).

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS & SIGNIFICANT CASES

• Johnny M. Baker and Lacrecia Baker v. Swift Leasing Co. LLC and Devante B. Williams, et al. Obtained a defense verdict for client, Swift Transportation Co. of Arizona LLC and its driver, Devonte Williams in Bell County, Texas. Plaintiff drove onto the improved shoulder and collided with Swift’s tractor trailer.
• Reed v. Longview Baptist Temple. No negligence verdict against the Defendant who was operating a church bus, was struck from behind by an intoxicated motorcyclist, and died from injuries related to a closed head injury.
• Allen v. Swift Transportation. Nineteen-party case arising from a multiple passenger/tractor-trailer case, resulting in four deaths, third-degree burns, degloving and amputation. The Jury returned a no negligence verdict as to Swift Transportation, the only non-settling party.
• McKee v. Roehl Transport, Inc., Covenant Transport, Inc., et al. Walker County, Texas. Multi-commercial vehicle, burn fatality case tried to jury over two-week period.
• Hill v. Portillo Trucking, Collin County, Texas. Transportation, closed head injury case involving total impairment. Resolved through summary jury trial.
• Cameron County v. Landmark Construction., Costal Engineering, Inc., et al. Cameron County, Texas. Construction defect case involving municipality seeking over $20 million in damages.
• Sorensen v. FedEx Kinko’s Office and Print Services, Inc. Bexar County, Texas. Wrongful termination case brought in conjunction with ERISA.
• White v. Docudata Solutions, Inc. Dallas County, Texas. Wrongful termination case brought in conjunction with FMLA.
• Johnson v. Journeyman Construction, L.P. Travis County, Texas. Wrongful death case arising out of impalement injury at multi-employer worksite.
• ASG Aviation Services Group, Inc. v. Landstar Express. Collin County, Texas. Commercial litigation arising out of a dispute regarding the brokerage of aviation services for the FAA.
• Bennett v. Averitt Express. Dallas County, Texas. Slander case and employment dispute.

AUTHORED ARTICLES & SEMINARS

• The Trial Debrief of a “Sitting Duck” Case in Texas TIDA Victories & Setbacks Webinar
• “Taking Control of Litigation Risks by Taking a Page Out of the Plaintiff’s Playbook – Recent Trends in Transportation Claims” Calypso Advisory Board Meeting
• “Stop the Bleeding: Reducing Unrealistically Inflated Verdicts Through Legislative Efforts” Spring 2022 USLAW Network Client Conference
• “Crisis Management: How to Avoid a Public Relations Nightmare” Spring 2018 USLAW Network Client Conference
• “Bridging the Gap Between the Excess Insurer and the Retail Insured in High Exposure Cases” Spring 2018 USLAW Network Client Conference
• “Safety Technology in the Transportation Industry” ATA Forum for Motor Carrier General Counsel 2014 Download Presentation
• “Winning Trial Strategies,” USLAW Network, 2014 Driving the Dialogue Exchange Series, Product Liability Exchange.
• “Liability for the Criminal Acts of Others,” National Restaurant Association, Risk & Safety Managers Executive Study Group.
• “Construction Trends Across the Nation,” USLAW Network Client Conference.
• “Evaluating Construction Contracts – Tenders of Defense and Indemnity,” FSSV Client Conference; Zurich North American Conference of Construction Professionals.
• “Handling Trucking Litigation in Texas,” FSSV Client Conference, Swift Transportation Co., Inc.
• “Preparing & Presenting The Corporate Representative,” ATA Litigation Forum for Motor Carrier General Counsels.
• “What’s it Worth?” Council on Litigation Management Annual Conference, 2011.