Michael is a civil rights trial attorney heading up the firm’s civil rights and racial justice pro bono efforts.
Before joining Shook, Michael was a chief assistant district attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Houston. In that role, he served the community as a Civil Rights Division prosecutor, investigating and prosecuting law enforcement excessive-force and corruption cases. Michael has had oversight of all phases of civil rights prosecution, including investigation strategies, grand jury presentations, pre-trial motions, discovery and jury trials. Michael’s civil rights experience involves inmate abuse, officer-involved shootings, abuse of force, and in-custody deaths. His work as a prosecutor has resulted in several high profile indictments and convictions in civil rights cases.
Michael has significant experience as a trial lawyer. He has tried more than 50 cases, including 30 first-chair jury trials. His trial experience includes cases of Official Oppression, Aggravated Assault by a Public Servant, sexual assault, and murder.
In addition to his consistent record of success investigating and prosecuting civil rights matters, Michael is an adjunct professor of law at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law where he lectures on civil rights legislation and enforcement.
Publications and Presentations
Panelist, Promoting Equality: Examining Pro Bono Power in Civil Rights, Immigration and Racial Justice, Houston Young Lawyers Association, August 15, 2023.
Co-Author, Investigating Officer-Involved Shootings, The Texas Prosecutor, Summer 2021.
Co-Author, Handling Excessive Force and Police Brutality Cases, The Texas Prosecutor, Spring 2021.
Presenter, Civil Rights Investigations, Friendswood Police Department, September 22, 2020.
Presenter, Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations, Fort Bend Independent School District Police Department, June 6 and 13, 2019.
Presenter, Preparing Your Case for Trial, CLE, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, March 28, 2018.
Presenter, Investigation, Negotiation and Prosecution, Houston Community College, March 1, 2018.