Michael Baum is a seasoned trial lawyer and respected courtroom advocate specializing in employment and commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on disputes involving non‐competition and employment agreements, theft of trade secrets, tortious interference with contracts, and breach of fiduciary duties.

Mr. Baum is frequently consulted by employers and executives on a wide range of matters, including employee discipline, employment investigations, and strategic employment decisions. He represents parties in employment related matters in both state and federal court based on wrongful termination and discrimination in the workplace (age, race, gender, pregnancy, national origin, religion and disability); claims of unpaid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act; and cases involving alleged violations of the Family Medical Leave Act. In addition, Mr. Baum handles complex business litigation, including claims of breach of contract, partnership disputes, and fraud.

Practice Focus & Experience

Mr. Baum has extensive jury trial experience and has successfully arbitrated numerous employment related cases.

Commercial Litigation
  • Obtained a favorable settlement for Scout Surface Solutions in a case brought against s former employee involving claims of theft of trade secrets and breach of fiduciary duties.
  • After obtaining temporary injunctive relief, successfully obtained a favorable settlement for The Expo Group in a case involving breach of a non‐compete agreement.
Labor and Employment Litigation
  • Successfully obtained summary judgment for American Airlines, Inc. in an alleged wrongful termination case involving claims of age discrimination and retaliation. Detra Barrett v. American Airlines, Inc.
  • Successfully defended Nordstrom in a case involving claims of ADA discrimination and FMLA retaliation. Following a four day arbitration, obtained an award of zero damages.
  • Following a four day arbitration, obtained a take nothing judgment for Omni Hotels in a suit alleging wrongful termination of an employee on the basis of race.
  • Successfully defended Monitronics (n/k/a Brinks) in a case involving claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. Following a three day arbitration, the arbitrator awarded zero damages.
  • Successfully defended, in a case tried to a jury verdict, CSM Global in a Sabine Pilot action.
  • In a case tried to jury verdict, successfully defended an aluminum extrusion company accused of wrongfully terminating an employee under Sabine Pilot.
Admissions
  • Texas
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Affiliations
  • Immediate Past Chair, Dallas Bar Association Judiciary Committee
  • Chair, Dallas Bar Association Judiciary Committee (2023-2024)
  • Co‐Chair, Dallas Bar Association Judiciary Committee (2021‐2022)
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association, Business Litigation Section and Labor & Employment Law Section
  • Member, State Bar of Texas, Labor & Employment Law Section
Education
  • The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D. (1998)
  • The University of Texas at Austin, B.A. (with high honors, 1993)
Honors
  • Best Lawyers in America® ‐ Litigation – Labor and Employment (2021‐2025)
  • Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Magazine (2005, 2008‐2009)
  • Best Lawyer Under 40, D Magazine (2006)
Community
  • Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum (Marketing Committee)

I am a passionate Longhorn football fan, but I especially love the TX-OU game – one of my favorite days of the year. My first experience at the Red River rivalry was with my dad in high school, and over the years I have been lucky to attend with best buddies, my wife, and both of my sons.

The Verdict, one of my favorite lawyer films, has some great teaching lessons notwithstanding the protagonist’s flawed character. Despite a host of challenges – an unscrupulous opposing counsel, a judge who tried to railroad his case, and an expert who disappeared on the eve of trial – he outworked a small army of opposing lawyers and went to the mat for his client all the way to jury verdict.

We scrapped out a victory in an alternate shot shootout after I hit a hybrid 195 to about 15 feet (my poor man’s Hogan 1 iron), then made a four footer to seal the victory – all in front a of a gallery. While certainly far from a talented golfer, I love to compete and was proud that I stayed calm and performed under pressure. I would like to think those attributes serve me well in the courtroom.


More About Michael Baum

Michael is a Dallas native. He and his wife of almost twenty years are soon to be empty nesters who live in the Lakewood area of Dallas. Michael is an avid Longhorn football fan and enjoys playing golf (although not particularly well) and spending time in the mountains of Colorado during the summer.

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