Michael J. Donovan Partner Burns Anderson Jury & Brenner Phone: (512) 338-5322 Fax: (512) 338-5363 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Download vCard

Profile:

As a reminder of what drives a law firm, this partner reserves the biggest chair in his office for his clients - literally. He aims to best serve his clients by maximizing results while minimizing both the duration of the cases and the cost.

After more than 21 years of practicing workers' compensation law within the same circle of attorneys and judges, Mike has proven his mastery of this realm. Continually attacking the challenge of serving as counsel away from home turf while meeting the demands of his trial work keeps his skills sharp and his tenacity impenetrable.

In 1985, after four years of plaintiff work, Mike began concentrating on insurance defense, the majority of his practice involving workers' compensation matters at the administrative, trial court and appellate levels. His clients include workers' compensation carriers, self-insured employers and political subdivisions in first-party claims, premise/liability, products liability, auto liability, bad faith and Deceptive Trade Practice Act claims. He also represents carriers on recovery of subrogation monies.

All of the above has led Mike to an increasing concentration on business litigation matters, representing employers and small businesses on employment law issues ranging from defense of wrongful discharge to breach of contract suits, as well as representing plaintiffs in enforcing employment and non-compete agreements.



Certification:    

Personal Injury Trial Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Civil Trial Law - National Board of Trial Advocacy
Texas Workers' Compensation Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization



Professional Affiliations:

National Board of Trial Advocacy
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
Austin Bar Association
American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute



Other Affiliations:

The Optimist Club
Youth Sports



Reported Appellate Decisions as Lead or Co-Counsel for a Party:

Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund v. Mandlebauer, 344 S.W. 3rd 909 (Tex. 2000)

Mandlebauer v. Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund, 998 S.W.2d 939 (Texas App. - Beaumont, 1999)

Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund v. Mandlebauer, 988 S.W.2d 750 (Tex. 1999)

Mandlebauer v. Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund, 990 S.W.2d 290 (Tex. Civ. - Beaumont, 1998)

Pacific Indemnity Insurance Company v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, 834 S.W. 2d 91 (Tex. App. - Austin, 1992)



Publications & Seminars:

Coauthor and Speaker: "Identifying Exceptions," 2003.
Coauthor and Speaker: "House Bill 2600 and Impact on Workers' Compensation," 2002.
Coauthor and Speaker: "Prevention of Bad Faith Claims," 2002.
Coauthor and Speaker: "Subrogation Law," 2002.
Coauthor and Speaker: "Sufficiency of Controversion," 2002.
Coauthor and Speaker: "Benefit Scheme," 2001.
Coauthor and Speaker: "Texas Modified Work Programs and Bona Fide Job Offer," 2001.
Coauthor and Speaker: "Extra Territorial Coverage Issues," 2000.
Coauthor and Speaker: "Problems Related to Identification to Correct Employer," 2000.
Coauthor and Speaker: "Understanding Bad Faith Claims," 1999
Coauthor and Speaker: "Identifying Exceptions and Defenses Under TWCA"
Coauthor and Speaker: "Issues regarding Recoupment and Salary Continuation"
Coauthor and Speaker: "MMI, Impairment and the 90-Day Rule"
Coauthor and Speaker: "Medical Benefits Disputes and Issues regarding SOAH Process"