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Hon. Michael Massengale

JAMS


Hon. Michael Massengale (Former) joins JAMS after serving as an appellate justice on the First Court of Appeals in Houston. Justice Massengale has participated in the resolution of thousands of appeals and has written more than 600 signed opinions in a wide range of legal disputes. During his time on the bench, he was known for his strong work ethic, well-reasoned opinions and careful textualist approach to interpreting statutes and contracts. His legal opinions have an excellent record of success on review in the Supreme Court of Texas. He handled a range of complex matters involving commercial and contractual disputes in various industries, including construction, employment, financial services, government, health care, oil and gas, and professional liability. Since he left full-time judicial service, appellate practitioners have sought out Justice Massengale’s assistance for appellate moot arguments and consultation on numerous appellate matters in federal courts of appeals, the Supreme Court of Texas and intermediate Texas appellate courts, including mandamus and interlocutory appellate relief.

Before his appointment to the appellate court, Justice Massengale practiced law as a trial partner at Baker Botts. He focused primarily on complex commercial disputes in the areas of commercial, securities, bankruptcy, antitrust, tax and tort litigation, predominantly representing clients in energy-related industries.

Justice Massengale serves by appointment of the Supreme Court of Texas as a commissioner on the Texas Access to Justice Commission, which develops and implements initiatives designed to expand access to, and enhance the quality of, justice in civil legal matters for low-income Texans. He is a fellow of the Texas and Houston Bar Foundations and an elected member of the American Law Institute.