OF COUNSEL
Michael L. Knapek
Overview
Michael (Mike) Knapek is of counsel in the Litigation section of Scheef & Stone. With over 38 years experience as a trial lawyer, Mr. Knapek represents clients in various commercial litigation matters, including real estate disputes.
A significant portion of Mr. Knapek’s practice has involved insurance-related issues, including representing insureds of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance policies. Mr. Knapek has successfully represented directors and officers of companies against claims of negligence and breaches of fiduciary duties and loyalty. Some of those matters have been in the context of adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court.
Successfully tried and defended several wrongful death and serious personal injury lawsuits involving premises liability, product liability, and Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims.
Successfully prosecuted an auditing malpractice suit involving the audits of a securities broker/dealer resulting in a judgment in excess of $13 million, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.
Represented clients in the energy industry, including the successful defense of a four-week jury trial involving oil well damage claims.
Successful prosecution of a lender liability suit, resulting in a settlement recovery for the client in excess of $6 million, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Easter District of Texas, Tyler Division.
Successful defense in real estate disputes involving rights of first refusal.
Successfully defended injunctive relief sought in employer-employee related suits.
Our Savior Lutheran Church in Norfolk, Nebraska relating to religious land use issues.
Successfully represented a large church in the New York Federal District Court against a municipality and its officials, Life Covenant Church, Inc. v. Town of Colonie, New York, et al., United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Albany Division.
Successfully prosecuted multi-million dollar auditing malpractice claims, In re Sunpoint Securities, Inc.; Robert G. Richardson, Trustee v. Cheshier & Fuller, L.L.P., et al., United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.
Successfully prosecuted multi-million dollar banking claims, In re Sunpoint Securities, Inc; Securities Investor Protection Corporation and Robert G. Richardson, Trustee v. City National Bank, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.
Successfully represented property owners in a dispute relating to the clients’ development of their property, Turley et al. v. Barretts, 160th Judicial District Court, Dallas, Texas.
Successfully argued to the Texas Supreme Court resulting in a favorable defense judgment in a wrongful death lawsuit, Brown v. Edwards Transfer, 764 S.W.2d 220.
Successfully argued to the Texas Supreme Court relating to the interpretation of an indemnity agreement, resulting in a judgment for indemnity in favor of the client in defending a wrongful death lawsuit, Enserch Corp. v. Parker, 794 S.W.2d 2.
Obtained a judgment in a landmark decision from the Dallas Court of Appeals in receiving attorneys fees for defending a counterclaim, Flint v. Intercontinental Pipe and Steel, Inc. 739 S.W.2d 622.
- Member of Board of Directors, Dallas Builders’ Association
- Texas Association of Builders
- American Bar Association – Tort and Insurance Practice Section
- Defense Research Institute
- Founder and Former Chairman, Tort and Insurance Section- Dallas Bar Association
- Dallas Association of Defense Counsel
- Juris Doctor, cum laude, SMU Dedman School of Law
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting, Texas A&M University
- Salesmanship Club of Dallas
- Selected in “The Best Lawyers in America” list for Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, 2024
- Selected in “Best Lawyers in America” list for Litigation-Insurance, Woodward/White, Inc., 2016-2018, and 2020-2022
- Construction Litigation
- Employment Litigation
- Product Liability Litigation
- Professional Liability
- Real Estate Litigation
- State & Federal Appeals
- Trade Secret Litigation
- Admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas and the Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal
- Member, Supreme Court of Texas
- Member, State Bar of Texas