Michael Halla Email & Phone Number

Plano, Texas

The Firm handles complex litigation in areas such as land use, commercial transactions, zoning, platting, regulatory issues, real estate, as well as other agreements and contracts. The Firm is regularly defending/taking expert depositions, attending hearings, drafting and arguing all motions and briefs, as necessary, conducting first chair jury and bench trials, and all appellate work resulting from litigation in the named areas. Handles the creation of various corporate entities including the drafting of all appropriate organizational documents such as company agreements as well as necessary documents such as professional service agreements, marketing agreements and other transactional documentsDrafts ordinances and resolutions for municipal corporations covering a myriad of areasAttends city council meetings, planning and zoning meetings and advise same during said meetingsNegotiates and/or drafts contracts, vendor agreements, entertainment agreements, leases, license agreements, and other transactional documents Works closely with municipal staff and advise them in day-to-day issues of municipal business including planning, zoning, personnel, operations, employment, procedure, and other essential staff functionsRepresents clients in a variety of family law matters, including child custody, divorce, enforcement, property settlement, modifications, terminations and protective orders in addition to any litigation

Frisco

I handled and oversaw all the litigation for the Firm. This included court appearances, filing of pleadings, motions and briefs. I also personally handled all oral arguments, conducted discovery using all the traditional discovery tools, including expert depositions.In addition, I advised clients on business matters, contracts and contract negotiation, commercial litigation, family law and real estate issues.

FIRST CHAIR TRIAL EXPERIENCE: representing municipal corporations in complex multi-party lawsuits involving eminent domain, employment and labor law, breach of contract, deprivation of civil rights claims, commercial litigation, land use, construction, civil service, constitutional law, and torts As part of first chair duties I conducted intensive document review assessing the relevance and responsiveness of documents, while applying facts of the case and issues of law, as well as the traditional exercising of privileges in determining what documents should be either withheld or redacted (as appropriate)Manage complex litigation from beginning to end, developing case strategy based on municipalities' needs in a productive and cost-effective manner: drafting and filing pleadings, preparing and arguing motions (for example, summary judgment, plea to the jurisdiction, and Daubert challenges), taking expert depositions, contacting experts, preparing clients and witnesses for trial, negotiating settlements and preparing settlement documents after meeting with clients and developing trial strategy based on the needs of those clients Draft appellate briefs and present oral argument to court of appeals Represent municipalities in contested administrative proceedings as well as alternative dispute resolutions such as mediation and arbitration Administer complex client, insurance and employment contracts Assist and advise municipal corporations in non-litigation matters, including personnel/employee relations, transactional interpretation, land use, general commercial transactions and compliance Lead and manage team of legal staff in furtherance of positive results for clients while managing multiple ongoing cases in a productive and cost-effective mannerDrafted, reviewed and negotiated a wide variety of commercial contracts

I represented clients in creditor/debtor litigation, personal injury, and in immigration matters before the Board of Immigration Appeals, Executive Office of Immigration Review, and district and county courts in Texas.

I advised various city department personnel on the interpretation of various city ordinances. I assisted these same departments in the drafting of these ordinances. Interpreted various transactional documents for several department heads. I drafted settlement agreements and mediated settlements for the same departments. I handled litigation matters in criminal matters.

Education record

Jd, Law

Dean's List

Bachelor Of Behavioral Science, History/Political Science

Activities and Societies: Pi Gamma Mu; Phi Alpha Theta Dean's List

History, Sociology, Psychology

Activities and Societies: Football, Pi Gamma Mu, Phi Alpha Theta Dean's List; Athletic Honor Roll