Michael H. Collins

Mike tries cases. Drawing from a deep understanding of the client’s needs and goals, as well as the facts of the case, he develops a strategy to help obtain the best possible results. Mike’s team prepares cases for trial or hearing, which also helps to provide a position of strength should settlement talks occur.

Mike has handled more than 20 major arbitrations, most involving multi-week evidentiary hearings. He was lead counsel for TUCO in a Texas case establishing the standard for vacating awards on “evident partiality” grounds, and he was lead counsel in an AAA class action proceeding. Increasingly, Mike’s practice involves serving as an arbitrator on AAA arbitrations, including a mass arbitration matter and other consumer and commercial arbitrations spanning a wide variety of industries and types of claims.

Mike served as managing partner of the firm’s London office from early 2015 to December 2017. He understands how to help global businesses in a multijurisdictional world.

• Defended an oil and gas company against a nine-figure royalty claim, through jury trial and appeal.
• Represented an oil and gas company in multimillion-dollar claims for title defects in minerals purchased in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
• Counseled a national overnight cartage company in arbitrations on claims brought by independent contractors.
• Defended a coal company against a multimillion-dollar claim for a price increase on a long-term coal supply contract.
• Advised a major insurance company, primarily on commercial and employment matters but also on bad faith claims.
• Represented a major university, including on tenure disputes and discrimination and other employment claims.
• Defended a major software company on former employees’ claims of wrongful termination.
• Overturned an adverse Maryland arbitration award in Texas courts, with nine figures at stake, involving contracts with railroads for transporting coal.
• Advocated for a museum and other nonprofit organizations as outside general counsel.

• Best Lawyers in America®: Arbitration (2016-2026), Commercial Litigation (2016-2026), Energy Law (2016-2026)