Qualifications
Justice Michael Massengale is the best-qualified candidate in the election for Place 8 on the First Court of Appeals. He has demonstrated his strong work ethic during his first two years on the bench. He is an experienced trial lawyer and an accomplished legal scholar. He also has a long history of active involvement in the bar and the community.
Fair and Respected Judge
Since joining the First Court of Appeals in July 2009, Michael has established a reputation as a fair-minded and hard-working judge. He was rated qualified or well qualified by 82% of those responding in the 2010 Houston Bar Association Judicial Qualifications Poll.* He has participated in deciding hundreds of appeals, and he has written over 100 signed opinions on the merits in cases involving contract and statutory interpretation, family law, and criminal law. He has been endorsed in the general election by the Association of Women Attorneys.
Experienced Trial Lawyer
As a trial lawyer at Baker Botts, Michael specialized in commercial litigation, securities litigation, and arbitration. He primarily represented clients in business trial matters. He participated in numerous trials and injunction hearings in Texas and Delaware courts. From 2002-2009, he represented clients in nine trials in Texas courts, seven of them jury trials, and three arbitrations before the National Association of Securities Dealers. The clients he advised include regulated utilities, energy concerns, oil and gas companies, and financial advisors.
In 2007, Michael became a partner at Baker Botts.
Michael has twice been acknowledged in the Big Suits section of The American Lawyer. In January 2006, he was recognized for his role in successfully defending the Pennzoil board of directors in a billion-dollar class-action lawsuit. In June 2009, he was again honored for his role in securing a trial victory for ASARCO in its fraudulent transfer suit against Americas Mining Corporation. That case resulted in a judgment for ASARCO valued at nearly $6 billion.
While in private practice, Michael was dedicated to being involved with pro bono work, including representation of the Houston Area Women's Center, Project Row House, Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, and the Texas District & County Attorneys Association. He also authored a chapter on consumer protection in a book prepared for the benefit of Hurricane Ike victims, and he spoke on that subject in a series of internet videos sponsored by the Houston Bar Association.
Michael was named a "Texas Rising Star" by Law & Politics magazine every year from 2004 to 2010.
Legal Scholar
Michael graduated from Dartmouth College with an undergraduate degree in Government, and he graduated with honors from The University of Texas School of Law. At UT Law, Michael received an endowed presidential scholarship and was inducted into the Order of the Coif.
As a law student, Michael distinguished himself as an editor of Texas Law Review, one of the country's leading academic law journals. He served as Book Review Editor and received the Outstanding Editor award for Volume 75. He also served as primary editor of the Texas Rules of Form (9th ed.), and he published his student note, Riotous Uncertainty: A Quarrel with the "Commentators' Rule" Against Section 1441(c) Removal for Counterclaim, Cross-Claim, and Third-Party Defendants, 75 TEXAS L. REV. 659.
After law school, Michael clerked for Judge Harold R. DeMoss, Jr. on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
While in law practice, Michael was actively involved with organizing continuing legal education (CLE) programs, bringing dozens of speakers to Houston. He spoke on developments in the United States Supreme Court, and was responsible for CLE and providing instruction and mentoring for new associates within the trial department at his law firm. He continues to speak regularly to help educate lawyers and community groups about important legal issues.
Bar and Community Involvement
State Bar of Texas
American Bar Association (litigation and judicial sections)
Houston Bar Association (administration of justice committee, 2008-09; county law library committee and speakers bureau, 2010-11)
Houston Young Lawyers Association (associate member)
Federalist Society, Houston Lawyers Chapter (president, 2005-2009)
Texas Bar Foundation (Fellow)
Houston Bar Foundation (Fellow)
The Supreme Court Historical Society
Texas Exes (life member)
Supporter of Majella Society, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Texas Access to Justice Foundation, and United Way of Greater Houston
* “The Judicial Candidate Qualification Questionnaire is not an endorsement by the Houston Bar Association.”
Texas First Court of Appeals
In voluntary compliance with the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act
