Mike Saunders grew up on a farm near Shelbyville, Kentucky. After graduating first in his high school class, he attended Washington & Lee University, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, President of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity, President of his Junior Class, lettered in basketball and baseball, and graduated second in his class. Mike received a Wilson Fellowship to Stanford University, where he received a Master’s Degree in Political Science, then was admitted to Harvard Law School, graduating with honors in 1971. Mike began his legal career with Baker & Botts in Houston. He left after four years, having tried 25 civil cases without a loss, joined Helm Pletcher in 1975 and became a named partner in 1980.
Mike has tried approximately 200 civil cases in his career. He is a member of the Houston Bar Foundation, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Texas and Houston Bar Associations, Texas and Houston Trial Lawyers Associations, and was Chairman of a State Bar Grievance Committee. He is a frequent speaker at seminars and CLEs in various states.
Mike specializes in civil trial work of all types, with special interest in medical and hospital negligence, managed care liability, product and drug liability, premises liability, serious injury from defective products and vehicular collision, and contract and commercial cases.