Information as of 2006
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Since 1988, M has won numerous personal injury trials before judges and juries in state and federal courts. His practice currently focuses on representing plaintiffs in the areas of products liability, premises liability, and medical negligence. M also has substantial experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in transportation-related claims (marine, aviation, trucking and railroads), and has developed a specialty in the procedural and jurisdictional issues that arise in trans-national and interstate tort claims.
In M's approach to litigation, early and exhaustive investigation forms the foundation for all strategic planning. With this philosophy, plaintiff's counsel should ideally be ready to try each case before it is filed.
M is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is also a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, an honorary law society of the State Bar of Texas. He has been awarded an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, which identifies a lawyer with very high to preeminent legal ability, and is a frequent speaker on litigation and trial issues at continuing legal education seminars across Texas.
LEGAL MATTERS
As one of four members appointed to the Claimants' (Plaintiffs') Steering Committee in the limitation of liability litigation arising out of the allision of the M/V/ BROWN WATER V with the Queen Isabella Causeway in south Texas, M was responsible for coordinating the Plaintiffs' discovery and motion practice. M successfully negotiated a seven-figure, policy limits settlement of this difficult admiralty case involving eight deaths and numerous personal injuries.
Negotiated a settlement in excess of $3.8 million for the surviving elderly mother of a construction worker who was mortally injured in a workplace accident. The victim had no spouse or children. The lawsuit, which involved theories of defective product design, premises liability and negligent activity, settled on the eve of trial against multiple defendants.
Negotiated a $325,000 settlement of sexual assault/psychological injury lawsuit against an apartment complex. Allegations included inadequate security and premises liability. The case was controlled by the current Texas law which permits a criminal perpetrator's responsibility to reduce the defendant's responsibility. In this case the jury's allocation of fault against each of four perpetrators (all of whom were convicted of rape) would have reduced the fault of the apartment complex.
Obtained jury verdict, including $550,000 award of future pain and suffering, in medical malpractice case in Liberty County, Texas. The defendants made no offer prior to trial in this case, in which we alleged that they had failed to diagnose and treat a "saddle embolus" in the distal aorta resulting in injury to our client's leg, and an otherwise avoidable, disfiguring surgery. The case ultimately resulted in a confidential settlement in excess of eighty-five percent (85%) of the judgment.
Negotiated multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of child with a spinal injury in Houston, Harris County, Texas. Premises liability, fall through balcony railing. Case was investigated and rejected by several other personal injury law firms, as "no liability."
Negotiated settlement in excess of $650,000 on behalf of chemical plant worker who suffered fractured jaw, unoperated shoulder and unoperated neck injuries in Houston, Harris County, Texas.
Negotiated $300,000 settlement in a products liability case in Houston, Harris County, Texas for a wood worker who suffered a penetrating abdominal injury and resulting neuropathy.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Transportes Aereos De Coahuila, S.A., a/k/a TACSA v. Falcon, 5 S.W.3d 712 (Tex. App.-San Antonio, 1999, pet. denied)
Scott v. Huey Cheramie, Inc., 833 S.W.2d 240 (Tex. App.-Houston (14th Dist.) 1992, no writ)
ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Member, Texas, Galveston County and Harris County Bar Associations
Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States
EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Ajamie LLP, Houston (1998-present)
Royston, Rayzor, Vickery and Williams, L.L.P., Galveston and Houston (1988-1998); Partner (1994-1998)
University of Texas (B.S., with honors, 1981; J.D., with honors, 1987)
Staff Member: The Review of Litigation, University of Texas
