Michael K. Hurst

• South Texas College of Law, J.D.
  • Lead Articles Editor, South Texas Law Review, 1990
• The University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 1987

• Obtained the #15 Verdict in the Nation by The National Law Journal—a $94 million verdict resulting in a $45 million judgment for Plaintiffs and his clients, Intervenors L.W. Hunt Resources and Richard Raughton for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud after forming an oil and gas partnership
• Obtained a $3.2 million jury verdict/judgment, including punitive damages, in state court in Mobile, Alabama in trade secret dispute between the largest providers of class rings and graduation gowns (upheld on appeal)
• Co-Lead Counsel on approximately $5 million fraud and breach of fiduciary duty judgment on behalf of oil and gas client against large retail bank after two week trial
• Obtained a $1.4 million jury verdict on behalf of Hunt Consolidated, Inc. in Dallas against an international corporation for two counts of fraud
• Successful defense of a $19 billion hedge fund and two of its partners in a four week jury trial over alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and contracts
• Obtained a $7.86 million jury verdict on behalf of a medical consulting company for breach of contract and tortious interference (settled for a lesser sum)
• Obtained an $11 million jury verdict on behalf of entrepreneur against a publicly traded high finance company (settled for a lesser sum)
• Presented and argued appeal that overturned a substantial indemnity judgment for a large oil and gas contractor: Nabors Drilling U.S.A., L.P. v. Encana Oil & Gas (U.S.A.) Inc., Case No. 2-12-00166-CV (Tex. App.-Fort Worth [2nd Dist.] 2013)
• Obtained a $1 million jury verdict (later reversed by Fifth Circuit) on behalf of an injured special needs child attending local school district in federal court
• Won take-nothing defense verdict in an employment case for a large international company in a state court jury trial in reverse discrimination
• Lead trial and appellate counsel in prosecution of an important trade secret case, published at 965 S.W.2d 19 (Tex. App-Houston [1st Dist.] 1998)
• Won trial defending investment bank against claim that it owed a multimillion dollar fee
• Obtained a $2.3 million trial verdict/recovery in bankruptcy court for a large energy construction contractor against landfill project and private equity group
• Represents/represented NFL quarterback, Division I college football coach, celebrity chef, titans of energy, financial industries, and many Fortune 100 companies
• Negotiated settlements related to several high profile clients and high dollar disputes, including recent business and employment suits

• Named one of the “Leading Lawyers in America,” by Lawdragon 500, 2024
  
• Named one of the "Leading Energy Lawyers" by LawDragon 500, 2024
• Selected as a "Best Lawyer"in “Business Litigation” by D Magazine, 2008-2020, 2022 and in “Labor & Employment,” 2023
• Named “Lawyer of the Year” for Business Litigation in North Texas by The Best Lawyers in America Legal Guide, 2021 and 2023
• Selected as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation, 2017-2024
• Named one of the “Best Lawyers in America,” by Best Lawyers, 2017-2024
• Named one of the “Leading Litigators in America,” by Lawdragon 500, 2023
• Recognized in the inaugural Best Lawyers “Hall of Fame” by D Magazine, 2022
• Honored as a “Leader in His Field” by Chambers & Partners USA Guide to Leading Lawyers, General Commercial Litigation (Texas) Lawyers, 2022
• Received the "Lead by Example Award" by the National Association of Women Lawyers, 2021
• Recognized as a “Top Lawyer” in DFW by Chambers & Partners USA, 2021
• First male recipient of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association’s prestigious Louise B. Raggio Award, 2015
• Recipient, “Award of Excellence” by the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Foundation, an award given annually to a fellow of the DAYL Foundation who has made a positive impact in the Dallas community, 2017
• Selected as "Texas Super Lawyer" by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Magazines, 2003-2023 and one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in Texas” by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Magazines, 2005-2006, 2008-2023
• Earned Texas Lawyer’s “Best Mentor” award, an honor bestowed on only two attorneys statewide each year, 2018
• Received the “Pro Bono Appreciation” award by Legal Aid of Northwest Texas for dedicating time, innovation and leadership to pro bono legal services for many years, 2018-2019
• Received special recognition from Texas Lawyers Assistance Program in Austin for extraordinary contributions to helping lawyer wellness, 2018
• Received “Best Series of General/Feature Articles” from the State Bar of Texas for the article, “Removing the Stigma of Mental Illness in the Legal Profession” in DBA Headnotes, 2018
• Selected as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Commercial Litigation by U.S. News & World Report, 2011-2021
• Selected as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Labor & Employment Litigation by U.S. News & World Report, 2014-2021
• Selected as a "Best Lawyer in America" in the area of Real Estate Litigation by U.S. News & World Report, 2014-2021
• Recipient, State Bar of Texas Board Presidential Citation, 2022
• TYLA Outstanding Mentor Award, 2014
• DAYL Outstanding Mentor Award, 2014
• Jo Anna Moreland Outstanding DBA Committee Chair Award, 2009
• Lois Bacon Special Services Award (pro bono work), 2013
• Selected as a BTI Client Service All-Stars, 2012
• Selected as one of the “Top 15 Business Defenders" in Dallas by Dallas Business Journal, 2006
• Selected as one of Texas' Best Lawyers, Dallas Edition by ALM, 2011
• Voted one of the “Best Lawyers Under 40” in D Magazine, 2002, 2004
• Recipient, Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for Dallas by DAYL, 2001
• Recipient, Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for Texas by TYLA, 2001
• Outstanding Director, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers,1994, 1995
• Recipient, TYLA President's Award of Merit, 1999, 2000
• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell

• American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
• International Society of Barristers, Member
• New Friends New Life (Anti-Human Trafficking), Board Member, Men’s Advocacy Group (MAG)
• State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section
• William ‘Mac’ Taylor Inn of Court, Master, 2007-present
• Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, 2001-2005
• Co-Chair, Genesis (Domestic Violence Prevention) Annual Luncheon, 2018
• Co-Chair, 30th Annual Luncheon, Dallas Women's Foundation, 2015
• Director and Executive Committee Member, South Texas College of Law Houston, 2006-2020
• Dallas Bar Association
  • President, 2018
  • Chair, Morris Harrell Professionalism Committee, 2016
  • Chair, Trial Skills Section, 2014
  • Chair, Judiciary Committee, 2012
  • Co-Chair, Mentoring Committee, 2010
  • Co-Chair, Peer Assistance Committee, 2009
  • Chair, Finance Committee, 2006
  • Chair, Bylaws Committee, 2006
  • Chair, Justice in Education Symposium, 2006
  • Chair, Law Day Committee, 2004
  • Co-Chair, Law in the Schools Committee, 2003
• Director, State Bar of Texas, 2019-2022
• Other Bar Activities
  • President, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, 1999
  • Director, Texas Young Lawyers Association, 1997-2000
  • Board Member, 50-year Anniversary Initiative for Brown v. Board of Education
  • Fellow, Dallas Bar Foundation, 1998-present
  • Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
  • Founding Life Fellow, DAYL Foundation
  • Chair, DAYL Professionalism and Mentoring Committee, 2001-2007
• DBA Pro Bono
  • Founder Justice Forever Fund (Pro Bono Endowment)
  • President, Community Service Board, 2016
  • Chair, Equal Access to Justice Campaign, (record funds raised for pro bono legal services, 2013
  • Community Service Fund Board
  • Consumer Law Mentor

• All Rise, 2021
• Fighting Human Trafficking Through Civil, Criminal, and Civic Action, 2021
• Litigating Trade Secrets, State Bar of Texas, 2021
• Men in the Mix: A New Research Initiative; Moving the Needle on Gender Equality, 2019
• Trial Techniques, 2017
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty Damages, 2016
• The Imperative of Attorney Gender Diversity, 2015
• How and Why to Find a Mentor, 2014
• Taking an Effective Deposition of a Corporate Representative in a Business Case, 2011
• Voir Dire Basics, 2011

“Michael Hurst has handled numerous matters for us. He always has the end game in mind, while maintaining the integrity of Hunt, both inside and outside of the courtroom.” - David Hernandez, Hunt Consolidated, Inc.

“I have witnessed Michael Hurst’s incredible skill in court and rapport with judges and juries from summary judgment to jury selection through closing argument. His dedication to his clients and the community are tremendous.” - Jill Meyer, Hunt Consolidated, Inc.

“I determined I needed a No. 1 first-class trial team to take the matter to trial, and I knew that was Michael and his team at Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann. I’ve known Michael a long time. I know of his capabilities and he’s one of the most tenacious, effective lawyers in the business.” - Burton Brillhart, Varsity Brands