Practice Areas

We believe that every person, business and branch of government has an obligation to act in a responsible way, attentive to the rights and welfare of others, and should be held accountable under our system of justice for causing injury or death because of negligent or callous conduct. We have long been committed to obtaining fair results for our clients who have been victimized by such conduct.

For decades, our Firm has represented victims of negligent, indifferent or malicious acts in cases arising from automobile and truck accidents, plane crashes, highway and commercial construction injuries, and from the negligence of the city, county, and federal government.

We believe that premises owners and occupiers should take appropriate steps to make their premises as safe as possible and should be held responsible when their lack of diligence injures or kills someone. Our Firm has represented injured individuals and families of those who have been killed as a result of dangerous conditions or who have been victimized by criminal acts committed by someone on the premises.

Over the years, the Firm has handled many different kinds of premises liability cases, including those involving unsafe and dangerous elevators, stairs, railings, parking lots and sidewalks. We have also handled cases involving premises where alcohol was served and alcohol consumption led to injuries, as well as cases involving lack of security or inadequate security on premises.

We offer a unique advantage to clients involved in commercial litigation. Our Firm applies the skills developed in more than 2500 personal injury trials to simplify the issues in what others term complex commercial litigation. By using creative fee agreements and working closely with in-house counsel and personnel, our Firm approaches each case with a plan to streamline the litigation in a way that maximizes pressure on our opponents and presents a clear and persuasive case to the jury.

Insurance Coverage Disputes

The Firm was lead counsel for Exxon in the jury trial against Lloyd’s of London involving insurance proceeds for the cleanup of the Valdez oil spill. The case was tried to a jury just over one year after the first deposition was taken. The jury found in favor of Exxon, and the Court entered a $410 million verdict on the breach of contract claim. After trial, Lloyd’s agreed to pay over $780 million to resolve both the breach of contract claim and the pending insurance bad faith claim.

The Law Offices of Michael Y. Saunders has successfully represented many other clients in disputes involving insurance coverage or an insurance company’s refusal to pay a valid claim. For example, the Firm obtained a substantial recovery for the surviving husband and children of a woman whose insurance company refused to pay for life-saving cancer treatment. We have also recovered insurance proceeds for large and small business owners and individuals who had suffered losses from theft, fire and improperly-placed insurance coverage.

Breach of Contract/Tortious Interference/Fraud

Our strategy in handling personal injury cases has proven effective in the handling of breach of contract, fraud and tortious interference cases. By way of example, the Firm obtained a $3.8 Million judgment for a small business owner in a breach of contract/fraud case involving the failure of a printing press to perform as specified in the purchase order. Additionally, we recently obtained a confidential settlement from a national manufacturer who refused to honor a dealership contract.

Construction Litigation

The Firm successfully represented a contractor who was wrongfully terminated by the City of Houston. After a jury trial, our client won a $1.2 million judgment.

Minority Shareholders

The Firm has successfully represented minority shareholders in privately-held companies in cases involving shareholder interests, self-dealing and breach of fiduciary duties.

The Law Offices of Michael Y. Saunders has, for several generations of Partners, held a long tradition of helping injured railroad workers protect their rights and recover fair compensation under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). With a successful track record going back to the 50’s, when one of our founding partners, Shirley Helm, began handling FELA cases, we have been fighting for the rights of injured rail workers. Following Shirley’s death in 1987, Don Bowen took over leadership of our FELA docket with the help of David Miller. David has lead our FELA representation since Don’s death in 2000, along with Steve Young. Steve worked for the Southern Pacific railroad as a locomotive engineer and then as a UTU General Chairman for almost 20 years, then left the railroad to attend law school so he could represent injured railroad workers.

We pioneered the litigation on behalf of rail workers for the hearing loss they suffered as a result of being exposed to high levels of noise while working for the railroads, recovering damages for hundreds of engineers, conductors and brakemen, after Steve Hanks and other FELA lawyers in our Firm took the depositions of current and former railroad officials around the country to prove their long-held knowledge of the injuries workers were suffering due to the high levels of noise.

With offices in Houston and Albuquerque, we continue to help educate railroad workers through seminars given at Locals across the Southwest, and represent railroaders in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Our FELA lawyers not only have a proven track record but also understand the industry. We have handled virtually every possible type of lawsuit against the railroads over the years and have a staff of trained investigators, all former railroad employees, ready to work with the attorneys to prepare your case by taking statements, getting accident scene photos, and doing the investigation legwork. Your initial consultation with us is free and absolutely confidential. Neither the railroad nor anyone else will be made aware of your inquiry or of the subject matter of any discussions