Michael Murphy

Commercial Litigation

• Successfully defended global pharmaceutical manufacturer in commercial dispute with U.S. distributor
• Represented an industrial air supplier in multiple disputes arising from its customer bulk purchase agreements
• Defended a former light heavyweight boxing champion against a purported advisor in a contractual dispute
• Defended a movie producer in two-week jury trial against claims of breach of contract and business tort brought by a co-investor/lead actor arising from a failed movie venture
• Obtained take-nothing summary judgment on behalf of an international automobile manufacturer in a suit alleging breach of contract, violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act; in subsequent jury trial, obtained full recovery of attorneys’ fees on DTPA counterclaim (first-chair trial attorney)
• Obtained take-nothing judgment in an AAA arbitration on behalf of an international automobile manufacturer arising from allegations of breach of contract and the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (first-chair trial attorney)
• Represented an international automobile manufacturer in two administrative hearings before a State Office of Administrative Hearings; the matters were both settled on terms favorable to the client following cross-examination of claimants (first-chair trial attorney)

Products Liability Litigation

• Served as lead Texas counsel for global valve manufacturer overseeing litigation of hundreds of products liability matters
• Served as lead counsel for global plumbing distributor and retailer in asbestos litigation matters in Texas and New Mexico; obtained full dismissal of all claims
• Represented a leading pharmaceutical company as Texas counsel in diet drug litigation filed by plaintiffs opting out of a related class action
• Defended a leading pharmaceutical company as Texas counsel in hormone replacement therapy litigation
• Represented a global chemical supplier in litigation arising from alleged exposure to benzene and butadiene
• Served as lead Texas counsel for luxury automobile manufacturer in multiple suits brought under Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act

Toxic Tort/Environmental Litigation

• Defended sand mining company in multiple actions involving over 2,000 plaintiffs arising from flood events during Hurricane Harvey
• Defended major pharmaceutical manufacturers in suits stemming from prescription drug use
• Represented oil and gas companies against alleged occupational asbestos exposure in multiple lawsuits pending in Texas MDL
• Defended a Fortune 100 oil and gas company in multiple lawsuits arising from alleged occupational exposure to benzene and related products
• Defended clients in multiple matters pending in Texas MDL involving allegations of harmful exposure to silica
• Defended a midstream oil and gas company against claims arising from alleged exposure to hydrogen sulfide during work-over operations; obtained non-suit of all claims prior to hearing on motion for summary judgment
• Represented a chemical manufacturer in a mass action stemming from leaks from underground storage tanks brought by a gasoline retailer

Energy Litigation

• Advised exploration and production company in connection with various disputes with tribal lessor/regulator
• Successfully defended a mining company in litigation over valuation and ownership of mining interests
• Successfully defended a large midstream company in a class action arising from a crude oil spill in a suit that involved claims of strict liability for ultra-hazardous activity, violations of the Oil Pollution Act, trespass, negligence, negligence per se, public nuisance, continuing private nuisance, and a prayer for permanent injunction
• Obtained a favorable pre-suit settlement for the purchaser of a natural gas storage facility in a dispute arising from misrepresentations made in connection with the acquisition
• Represented an exploration and production company in a dispute arising from loss of well during the course of well completion activities
• Advised a private equity portfolio company in connection with its acquisition of an international exploration and production company and related litigation matters
• Represented upstream and midstream energy clients in disputes involving the Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act
• Represented a midstream oil and gas company in multiple personal injury disputes arising from a fire and explosion that occurred at a midpoint pump station

Construction Litigation

• Represented an EPC contractor and obtained a favorable pre-suit settlement in mediation in a dispute with project owner over refinery expansion
• Defended an engineering and construction firm as third party in a dispute between a refiner and pipe fabricator arising from refinery expansion

Other Litigation

• Represented a mechanical pump seal manufacturer in a copyright and trade secrets lawsuit stemming from the misappropriation of its mechanical drawings by a competitor in connection with a third-party bid process
• Defended the former chief executive of an offshore seismic company in a lawsuit brought by a former company for alleged mishandling of trade secrets, breach of covenant not to compete, breach of nondisclosure agreement, and breach of fiduciary duty
• Obtained summary judgment, as team member, on behalf of a media conglomerate and its subsidiary in a defamation action brought by a record promoter arising from a nationally televised broadcast and related commercial advertisements

Pro Bono Matters

• Successfully co-led trial team that obtained permanent injunction on behalf of prisoners in geriatric, medical facility prison in connection with COVID-19 pandemic
• Successfully obtained asylum from India for a Muslim asylum-seeker on the grounds of religious persecution (first-chair trial attorney)
• Represented an adult day care center in administrative licensure proceedings, including a two-day administrative hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (first-chair trial attorney)
• Tried more than 15 jury trials to verdict as a volunteer prosecutor for the City of Houston
• Represented multiple pro bono clients in family law disputes referred via the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program