Home ATTORNEYS Michael J. Whellan

ATTORNEYS

Attorney Photo

Michael J. Whellan

Shareholder

Trial Litigation

Direct Phone: 512.480.5734

Direct Fax: 512.480.5834

Email:

Michael Whellan represents local and national clients in a variety of disputes, including those involving trade secrets, contracts, misrepresentations, fraud and product liability. He also represents clients before city and county governmental entities in land-use and business matters.

BACK TO TOP

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Admitted to bar, 1990, Texas; 1992, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas; 1993, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 1994, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.

Education: University of Texas (Plan II Liberal Arts Honors Program, B.A., with high honors, 1987; J.D., with honors, 1990). Phi Beta Kappa; Order of the Coif.

Briefing Attorney to the Honorable Lloyd Doggett, Supreme Court of Texas, 1990-1991. Robert W. Calvert Chapter of the American Inns of Court, 1996-1999.

40-Hour Mediation Training, 1992.

BACK TO TOP

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Arbitration of claims against brokerages for churning, unsuitability and failure to supervise.
  • Represented securities dealer throughout Texas in connection with customer-list cases to enjoin former employees from utilizing such information.
  • Defended environmental consulting firm against allegations of professional negligence.
  • Obtained zoning for large tracts of land with organized neighborhood opposition.
  • Assisted client in obtaining policy changes from municipal airport advisory board and City Council.
  • Represented land owners in various litigation matters concerning easements, contracts, leases and city code interpretation.
  • Negotiated the preservation and relocation of a downtown historic building.
BACK TO TOP

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member: Austin Bar Association (Chair, Settlement Week Committee, 1995-1996; Co-Chair, Family Law Task Force, 1993-1995; Settlement Week Volunteer Mediator, 1992-2001; ADR Section; Civil Litigation Section; Co-Chair, Land Development Seminar, Real Estate Section, 2000-2006); American Bar Association (Litigation Section); State Bar of Texas (Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Secretary, 1996-1998, Treasurer, 1998-1999).

BACK TO TOP

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • Austin Young Lawyers Association, Community Service Award, 2000.
  • Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, Pro Bono Recognition, 1995 - 2007.
  • State Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Recognition for Service, 1999.
  • Heritage Society of Austin, Recognition for Service, 2001.
BACK TO TOP

COMMUNITY

  • Austin Area Research Organization (AARO) - Member, 2010.
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Travis County - President 1999-2000; Board of Directors, 1994-2001; Founders Board, 2001-present.
  • Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas - President, 2000-2001; Board of Directors, 1997-2004; Volunteer Attorney.
  • Travis County Dispute Resolution Center - Board of Directors, 1995-1999; Advisory Board, 1999-present; Volunteer Mediator.
  • Leadership Austin, Class of 1996-1997.
  • Jewish Community Association of Austin - Board of Directors, 2003-2005.
BACK TO TOP

Publications and Presentations

  • Co-Author, Tips for Dealing with Local Governments, State Bar of Texas Advanced Real Estate Law Course – Summer, 2007.
  • Co-Author, What Attorneys Want From Mediators, The Texas Mediator - Fall, 2002.
  • Author/Speaker, Expert Liability in Real Estate Matters: What to Consider When Things Go Wrong, Eminent Domain - CLE International, Dallas, Texas June 14-15, 2001.
BACK TO TOP