Michael M. Machado

Successfully defended a dram shop suit for the 15th largest retailer in the United States, in which seven plaintiffs, comprised of off-duty police officers and retired veterans were killed or catastrophically injured by a drunk driver near Kerrville, Texas. After three years of written discovery, depositions, and several hard-fought contested hearings, an $80 million pre-suit demand was settled for less than one-half of one percent of the $60 million mediation demand. (Bexar County, Texas, District Court).

Successfully defended a dram shop suit for the 15th largest retailer in the United States, in which a drunk driver was catastrophically injured after buying beer at one of the stores in Lubbock, Texas. The case was removed to federal court on diversity grounds and later dismissed via Summary Judgment after discovery was completed. (United States District Court, Northern District of Texas).

Successfully defended a premises liability claim for the 15th largest retailer in the United States after a drunk driver killed a two-year-old when he veered into the parking lot and struck the shopping basket she was sitting in. The case resulted in a defense-favorable settlement after a jury was seated but before testimony began. (Bexar County, Texas, District Court).

Successfully defended a slip and fall wherein the Plaintiff claimed a traumatic brain injury and had three separate surgical recommendations. After intensive investigation, evidence of a nearly identical injury that occurred in the plaintiff’s own home mere weeks before the alleged slip and fall on the defendant’s retail premises was uncovered. (Bexar County, Texas, District Court).

Successfully defended the President of the Bexar County Housing Authority, who was charged in federal court with embezzling over a half million dollars of government funding by negotiating a disposition that only required repayment of missing funds and no incarceration. (United States District Court, Western District of Texas).

Successfully defended a physician who was charged with sexual assault by a former employee by amassing enough physical evidence and witness statements to convince the investigating officer and an EEOC investigator to dismiss all charges.

Successfully defended a Registered Nurse charged with falsifying hundreds of prescriptions to obtain controlled substances by having the criminal charges dismissed and then negotiating a probated term of suspension that allowed her to complete a rehab program and eventually return to her chosen career. (Wilson County, Texas, District Court, and the Texas Board of Nursing).

Successfully defended the elected Sheriff of a central Texas county who was charged with falsifying his professional credentials prior to being elected to office by paying a civil fine and dismissing felony criminal charges.

Multiple successful defenses or negotiated resolutions for attorneys charged with professional misconduct by former clients before the State Bar of Texas.

Successful defense of a university professor charged with disrupting an official proceeding, public intoxication, and resisting arrest or detention by convincing the prosecuting attorney that there was insufficient evidence to win the case. (Bexar County, Texas, County Court at Law).

Thurgood Marshall School of Law

J.D., 1989

St. Mary’s University

B.S., 1983
Public Justice

Texas

1991

United States District Court of Texas

Northern, Southern, and Western

State Bar of Texas

American Bar Association

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Defense Research Institute ǀ Association for Civil Defense Lawyers and In-House Counsel

Spanish