Michael A. McCabe is a high-stakes trial lawyer hired by sophisticated companies to handle their most complex disputes. He represents businesses when the financial exposure is substantial, critical business interests are at risk, and the outcome of litigation can have a meaningful impact on the company. His practice focuses on high-stakes trade secrets, intellectual property disputes, unfair competition, and complex business litigation. Many of his clients are high-tech companies and other businesses that develop and rely on valuable intellectual property. Michael prepares thoroughly and works to make complicated technical and business disputes clear to judges and juries.
In 2021, Michael was lead plaintiff’s trial counsel in a two-week trial involving trade secrets and breach of a nondisclosure agreement, which ended in an $86 million jury verdict for his client. TopVerdicts named it a Top 20 Verdict in Texas, and the National Law Journal named it a Top 100 Verdict nationally. Earlier, he represented the plaintiff in Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions, Inc. v. Intersil Corporation, a patent, trade secret, breach of contract, and tortious interference case. The jury returned a verdict of more than $88 million after a four-week trial in 2015.
In 2023, he was lead counsel for a professional development firm in a week-long trial. The jury rejected an executive’s wrongful-termination claims and awarded his client the full amount of its breach-of-contract counterclaim plus attorney’s fees. He has also won on appeal. In 2016, he persuaded the Texas Supreme Court to dismiss a doctor’s defamation suit against a Beaumont television station.
When confidential information or key business relationships need immediate protection, Michael has obtained numerous restraining orders and injunctions in trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition cases. In 2025, he defended a prominent Dallas mechanical construction and facilities services company against trade secret and conspiracy claims. The case settled on favorable terms less than two weeks before trial.
Board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Employment Law, Michael is a member of the executive committee at Munck Wilson Mandala and co-chairs the firm’s Litigation and Employment & Labor practices. He is recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers, Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, and Benchmark Litigation.
Upon graduating from law school, Michael clerked for U.S. District Judge John H. McBryde in Fort Worth.
Tried the patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, and tortious interference case Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions, Inc. v. Intersil Corporation on behalf of the plaintiff resulting in a exceeding $88 million.
Represented a security consulting and services firm in litigation alleging misuse of confidential business plans and projections. After defeating a motion to dismiss, several parties settled on favorable terms.
Persuaded the Texas Supreme Court, in a 6–3 decision, to dismiss a doctor’s defamation suit against a Beaumont television station.
Achieved a complete reversal of the trial court’s order denying Parkland Health and Hospital System’s Plea to the Jurisdiction, resulting in dismissal of the plaintiff’s lawsuit.
Represented a book publisher in federal litigation asserting defamation and other tort claims; the court dismissed the lawsuit within months after Michael moved for dismissal on multiple grounds.
Obtained complete defense jury verdicts in state and federal employment cases involving discrimination and retaliation; represented companies in FLSA collective actions and Department of Labor investigations.
Executive Insights: Munck Wilson Mandala’s Michael McCabe and Jenny Martinez discuss MWM’s Dallas office and high-stakes litigation, Dallas Business Journal, May 1, 2026.
“Trial Pros: Munck Wilson’s Michael McCabe,” Law360, June 23, 2016.
“Dallas Lawyer Convinces Supreme Court to Toss Defamation Case with Shocking Allegation,” Texas Lawyer, June 20, 2016.
“TV Station to Seek Legal Fees After Texas Supreme Court Win in Defamation Case,” The Texas Lawbook, July 12, 2016.
“Plano-based TAOS wins $58.7 million judgment,” Dallas Morning News, March 8, 2015.
“Employers’ Rights Under the Electronic Communications Act,” Alliance Texas Human Resources Group, March 2016 (presenter).
“Got TUTSA Literacy?” University of Texas School of Law – Non-Compete Camp, September 2015 (presenter).
Munck Wilson Mandala congratulates 16 attorneys who have been recognized as Texas Super Lawyers for 2026. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Produced and managed by Thomson Reuters, the selection process involves independent research,
Munck Wilson Mandala proudly congratulates five Dallas partners who have been recognized among the 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, a prestigious guide honoring the nation’s leading courtroom advocates. The MWM attorneys recognized are Chase Cobern, Shain Khoshbin, Michael McCabe, William A. Munck, and Michael Wilson. Their collective recognition reflects the firm’s deep bench
The annual Texas Super Lawyers list honors Texas’ top lawyers based on surveys of more than 57,000 active attorneys across the state. The final list is estimated to be only five percent of Texas’s licensed attorneys. Congratulations to the following Munck Wilson Mandala attorneys who were named 2025 Texas Super Lawyers: Munck Wilson Mandala is
This prestigious recognition honors the nation’s most accomplished courtroom advocates, celebrated for representing clients in their most important trials, investigations, and regulatory matters. According to Lawdragon, the outstanding advocates recognized “have changed the course of industry and individual businesses, shaped our nation and the enforcement of its laws, and continued to uphold the role of
Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. MWM is proud to have lawyers listed in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and
June 13, 2025 – Munck Wilson Mandala is proud to be a gold sponsor of the Attorneys Serving the Community 38th Annual Luncheon, held on Friday, June 13, at the Thompson Dallas. This year’s event benefits POETIC and features keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart, whose advocacy work on child safety, recovery, and legislation has inspired national
In ams OSRAM USA Inc. v. Renesas Electronics America, Inc., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a 3-0 decision in April 2025, affirming liability for a judgment in favor of ams OSRAM. The parties now have settled pursuant to an agreed final judgment of $51,770,243. The judgment marks the conclusion of
The annual Texas Super Lawyers list honors Texas’ top lawyers based on surveys of more than 57,000 active attorneys across the state. The final list is estimated to be only five percent of Texas’ licensed attorneys. Three MWM partners have been recognized for 20 years or more: Global Managing Partner William A. Munck and IP
Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. MWM is proud to have lawyers listed in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and
In Dallas, MWM ranked as a Best Law Firm® in commercial litigation, copyright law, corporate law, employment law/management, insurance law, labor law/management, litigation/construction, litigation/intellectual property, litigation/labor and employment, litigation/patent, mergers and acquisitions law, patent law, sports law, technology law, trademark law, and venture capital law. In Austin, MWM ranked as a Best Law Firm® in
On October 26, MWM’s Chase Cobern argued at the Supreme Court of Texas on behalf of Stonewater Roofing, a group of commercial roofing professionals in Texas. Stonewater is represented by Michael McCabe and Chase on behalf of MWM. The case involves Stonewater’s challenge to provisions of the Texas Insurance Code under the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment
Munck Wilson Mandala congratulates 18 attorneys who have been recognized as Texas Super Lawyers for 2023. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Produced and managed by Thomson Reuters, the selection process involves independent research,
Munck Wilson Mandala is pleased to announce that 23 lawyers have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic
TopVerdict reviews cases that were tried in either state or federal courts of Texas to determine the top 20 verdicts each year. The same verdict was also listed as a Top 100 Verdict of 2021 by The National Law Journal, which will publish its Top 100 Verdicts in the July publication. In early March 2022,
Dallas 500 is a special edition of D CEO Magazine that celebrates dynamic and influential leaders in North Texas. Each year, the editors of D CEO base their selection on extensive contacts and recommendations in local business circles and hundreds of interviews. Dallas 500 provides a personal, engaging look at the leaders who make the North
Benchmark Litigation is considered the go-to resource for litigation rankings and analysis. Research is conducted through extensive interviews with litigators, dispute resolution specialists and their clients to identify the leading litigators and firms. McCabe has been identified as one of the preeminent L&E litigation practitioners in the US. Board Certified by the Texas Board of
The 2021 list of Texas Super Lawyers will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly. The annual Texas Super Lawyers list honors Texas’ top lawyers based on surveys of more than 57,000 active attorneys across the state. The final list is estimated to be only five percent of Texas’ licensed attorneys. Several MWM partners
Initially founded in Dallas in 1997 with five technology-focused intellectual property attorneys, Munck Wilson has since expanded in firm size — with additional offices in Austin and Los Angeles and a contingent in Miami — and practice areas. As of May 1, the firm now boasts 61 Lone Star State attorneys plus 14 nationwide who
Benchmark Litigation is considered the go-to resource for litigation rankings and analysis. Research is conducted through extensive interviews with litigators, dispute resolution specialists and their clients to identify the leading litigators and firms. They examine recent work and ask litigators to provide their professional opinions on peers and practitioners within their jurisdiction or practice area.
The 2020 list of Texas Super Lawyers will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly. The annual Texas Super Lawyers list honors Texas’ top lawyers based on surveys of more than 57,000 active attorneys across the state. The final list is estimated to be only five percent of Texas’ licensed attorneys. Several MWM partners
McCabe will continue his position as Co-Chair of MWM’s Employment and Labor Law Section, leading MWM’s employment litigation practice. Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Labor and Employment Law, McCabe is a skilled trial lawyer known for breaking down the facts in complicated cases and connecting with juries. McCabe represents high
Mandala, Ray and Kaliser are members of MWM’s corporate practice. Mandala is a name partner and member of the executive committee and chairs MWM’s corporate practice. Ray and Kaliser are both partners in the corporate practice. Martinez is a senior partner in MWM’s complex litigation/dispute resolution practice. She is a trial attorney with a versatile
Business Closing Mandates Check websites for your local (city and county) and state governments to identify which businesses have been told to shut down and whether residents are being told to “shelter in place.” Is it an executive order or mandatory restriction or merely a recommendation? Restaurants and bars have been the focus of mandates
The 2019 list of Texas Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly. The annual Texas Super Lawyers list honors Texas’ top lawyers based on surveys of more than 57,000 active attorneys across the state. The final list is estimated to be only five percent of Texas’ licensed attorneys. The following
Munck is the managing partner of MWM, a member of the executive committee, and he chairs the firm’s intellectual property practice. He has led MWM since the late 90s and grown the firm from six lawyers to 70 lawyers with three offices in Texas—Dallas, Austin, Marshall, and a Los Angeles office. Munck received his J.D.
Earlier this summer in the first trial, MWM represented Valtech as plaintiff in a dispute against Cornerstone over an earn out payment due under an asset purchase agreement. Cornerstone refused to pay and countersued Valtech for fraud, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. MWM’s Michael McCabe gave a great cross-examination of Cornerstone’s corporate
The 2018 list of Texas Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly. The annual Texas Super Lawyers list honors Texas’ top lawyers based on surveys of more than 57,000 active attorneys across the state. The final list is estimated to be only five percent of Texas’ licensed attorneys. The following
Among his peers, McCabe is consistently honored as a top lawyer in employment law and litigation. Annually he is selected as a Texas Super Lawyer and he has been listed among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Texas and Top 100 Super Lawyers in DFW since 2014. McCabe has also been listed as a Best
Dallas, TX, Sep. 5, 2017 —– 16 partners from law firm Munck Wilson Mandala have been selected as Texas Super Lawyers for 2017. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Produced and managed by Thomson Reuters, the selection
The Best Lawyers in America list is compiled annually by conducting peer-review surveys among tens of thousands of leading lawyers. If the votes for an attorney are ample for inclusion in Best Lawyers, that attorney must maintain those votes in subsequent polls to remain on the list for each edition. Lawyers are not permitted to pay
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Texas Tech University School of Law, JD, 1998
cum laude
Tulane University, BA, 1994
Psychology
American Bar Association Employment Law Section
State Bar of Texas Employment Law Section
Dallas Bar Association Employment Law Section
American Bar Foundation Fellow
Dallas Bar Foundation Fellow
Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America 2026-2027
Best Lawyers in America 2016-2027
Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters 2013-2026
The Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018-2024
Top 100 Super Lawyers in Texas Top 100 Super Lawyers in DFW Thomson Reuters 2014-2018, 2020-2024
The Dallas 500 – The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth by D CEO Magazine 2022
Top 20 Verdict in Texas 2021 TopVerdicts
Top 100 Verdicts 2021 National Law Journal
Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Star 2020-2021
U.S. Supreme Court
Texas, 1998
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
