Haynes and Boone, LLP

Michelle Jacobs is an experienced trial lawyer who advocates with tireless dedication, whether in writing, in the courtroom, or at any other stage of litigation.

Michelle's practice focuses on complex commercial and intellectual property litigation in state and federal courts. She has handled disputes involving copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, contracts, fraud, business disparagement, products liability, and a variety of other causes of action. She has represented clients in an array of industries, including software, manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, entertainment, beauty, and others.

Michelle plays a lead role in complex litigation, including class action defense. She currently manages product liability lawsuits for a large manufacturer nationwide. She is also currently defending a putative class action lawsuit for a major telecommunications company involving claims of alleged environmental contamination and abandonment of property rights.

Michelle's recent experience also includes representing Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. in an arbitration proceeding involving technology used in hydraulic fracturing. The opposing party, Ecosphere Technologies, Inc., claimed that Halliburton misappropriated its alleged trade secrets and violated a non-disclosure agreement between the parties. After a two-week final hearing, the arbitration panel unanimously ruled in favor of Halliburton, rejecting each of Ecosphere's claims.

Michelle also recently represented a coalition of 88 school districts challenging the constitutionality of Texas's school finance system. After 16 weeks of trial, the trial judge ruled in favor of the school district coalition on each of their affirmative claims. Although the Texas Supreme Court ultimately reversed the trial court's judgment, the case was widely publicized and cast light on the current state of public education in Texas.

Michelle enjoys dedicating her time to community service and pro bono work. She currently serves on the board of Genesis Young Leaders, an auxiliary of Genesis Women's Shelter, and she leads the firm's initiative to provide pro bono services to clients of Genesis Women's Shelter. She also recently served as first chair in a trial seeking asylum on behalf of a mother and her four children who faced imminent physical harm and persecution if forced to return to Sudan. At the conclusion of the trial, the woman and her four children were all granted asylum. Because of her work on this case, she was awarded the 2015 Outstanding Associate Award for the Asylum Program of Human Rights Initiative of North Texas.

Bar Admissions

Texas. 2009

Education

Brigham Young University (B.A., 2006)
William and Mary School of Law (J.D., 2009)

Significant Accomplishments

Defeated class action bid for AT&T in a suit in federal court in Houston brought by property owners alleging that AT&T telephone cable buried underneath their properties - pursuant to easements that had been granted to AT&T in the 1950s - were contaminating their properties.

Assisted in successful defense of copyright infringement trial brought in federal court by nationally syndicated radio show host seeking more than $13 million in damages.

Obtained complete dismissal of complaint claiming $200 million in damages based on alleged fraud and conspiracy resulting from transfer of valuable art collection.

Obtained temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and summary judgment in favor of software company seeking to enforce non-competition agreement against former employee.

Represented a council of governments seeking relief funding for cities and towns victimized by Hurricane Ike.