Duke University School of Law
(J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2016)
BYU (B.S., Accounting, 2011)
Duke University School of Law
(J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2016)
BYU (B.S., Accounting, 2011)
Honorable Gerald B. Tjoflat, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Trial lawyer Michael Adamson has been recognized by Daily Journal as a Top 40 Lawyer Under 40 (2022), by National Law Journal as a Plaintiff’s Attorney Trailblazer (2023), and by Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders in Law series (2021). Michael is a versatile litigator representing plaintiffs and defendants in arbitrations and federal and state courts across the country.
LEGAL VICTORIES
In 2023, Michael secured an almost $300 million award in a confidential arbitration for a client in the renewable energy industry. The litigation proceeded from demand to hearing in just 60 days. After speeding through fact and expert discovery, Michael led damages examinations at the hearing and helped secure an award of 100 cents on the dollar of the client’s proposed damages model.
On the defense side, Michael represented Wyle Labs, a subsidiary of KBR, in a trade-secrets case. By the end of a four-week trial, the court had struck most of the damages, and the jury had rejected the most significant remaining claims. Through post-trial briefing, Michael helped defeat some of the jury’s few unfavorable findings. The case ultimately settled for a tiny fraction of the tens of millions in damages asserted – a knockout win for Wyle.
Michael has also achieved victories for both plaintiffs and defendants in class actions. He recently helped secure an eight-figure settlement, pending court approval, for a nationwide class of hundreds of policyholders suing PHL Variable Insurance Company for breach of contract. In state court, Michael defended cybersecurity company Bitdefender in a consumer class action asserting claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law. Through mediation, Michael helped negotiate a favorable pre-discovery settlement.
PRO BONO
Michael represents a putative class of disabled students and their families alleging systemic constitutional violations, as well as violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The class seeks injunctive relief in the form of widespread reform to the educational system afforded to disabled students in Virginia. Michael recently argued against defendants’ motion to dismiss in this case, which has garnered national media attention from the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Politico, Associated Press, and others. Read more.
BACKGROUND
Michael joined Susman Godfrey after clerking for Judge Gerald Tjoflat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He received his law degree from Duke University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University where he studied accounting and later became a Certified Public Accountant.
Before law school, Michael worked in Washington, D.C. as a legislative aide for the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, specializing in tax, banking, and financial policy.
CONTRACT DISPUTES
INSURANCE
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
PRO BONO