Michael J. Collins' practice focuses on all aspects of intellectual property litigation and technology-related commercial litigation in both federal and Texas state courts. He has substantial experience in patent infringement litigation as well as cases involving trade secrets, copyrights, and trademarks. Mr. Collins has experience with and expertise in a wide range of technologies, including food processing, transportation, conventional and nuclear power plants, petrochemical manufacturing complexes, industrial valves, wireless networks, high-density memory chips, combined cycle gas turbines, optical molds, medical devices, petrochemical catalyst handling methods, web-based business methods, flywheel energy storage systems and aircraft. Mr. Collins' current practice emphasizes contingent fee litigation for patent owners while he continues to represent clients in various types of intellectual property matters on a more traditional fee basis.

Education

• J.D., cum laude, University of Houston Law Center, 1989 (Order of the Coif; Order of the Barons; Research Editor, Houston Law Review)
• M.M.E., Rice University, 1974
• B.S.M.E., Rice University, 1973

Representative Cases

• Won summary judgment of non-infringement for defendant in a patent infringement action involving petrochemical catalyst loading technology
• Obtained significant monetary settlements for patent owners in recent cases involving web-based business methods, flywheel energy storage systems and medical imaging devices
• Key member of a team that obtained a $34 million verdict for a large international engineering and construction company in litigation over the design and construction of a chemical manufacturing facility
• Obtained a temporary injunction in Texas state court followed by a very favorable settlement for a Houston valve manufacturer in a trade secret misappropriation action against a foreign manufacturer and its domestic distributor
• Obtained favorable settlement representing several plaintiffs in a patent infringement action involving impingement oven technology employed in the food service industry
• Represented a specialty food manufacturing company as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, frauds and deceptive trade practices. Won take nothing summary judgment on the trade secret counts and obtained a very favorable jury verdict on the remaining causes of action.
• Obtained very favorable settlement representing a building contractor and owner as defendants in a suit alleging infringement of a copyright in a building as an architectural work
• Defeated plaintiff's motion for temporary injunction while representing a pressure safety relief valve manufacturer as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud and unfair competition
• Won take nothing summary judgment for principal in a startup telecommunications venture as a defendant in a lawsuit accusing him of fraud and other business torts

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas
• American Bar Association
• Houston Bar Association
• Registered Professional Engineer (Texas) (Inactive)
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Fellow of the Houston Bar Foundation
• Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation

Community & Charitable

• Board of Directors, Legacy Community Health Services, Inc., 2004 to present
• Board of Governors, Human Rights Campaign, 1999 - 2001 Houston Juvenile Law Clinic, 1992 - 1994

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