Select Section
Overview
Being dynamic means inviting risk - Mike helps clients navigate through high-risk litigation to reach their best outcome.
As a member of Dorsey's Trial group, Mike’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation and appeals, and he has made numerous appearances before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Alaska Supreme Court. He has assisted clients in successfully managing litigation and arbitration matters in an array of practice areas - from antitrust compliance to commercial litigation and appeals, internal investigations to environmental litigation - by providing clients with the strategic understanding and the legal tools they need.
Experience
- Bering Straits Citizens v. U.S. Army Corps of Eng., 524 F. 3d 938 (9th Cir. 2008) Lead counsel defending against NEPA and Clean Water Act challenge to permits issued for $150 mm hard rock mine and related processing facility in Nome, Alaska. Won summary judgment upholding permits in U.S. District Court that was affirmed on appeal.
- Johnson v. Columbia Properties Anchorage, LP, 437 F. 3d 894 (9th Cir. 2006) Successfully defended owner/general contractor of Anchorage Marriott Hotel on contract claims by sub-contractor, obtaining summary judgment in trial court that was affirmed on appeal.
- Wasser & Winters Co. v. Ritchie Bros., 185 P. 3d 73 (Alaska 2008) Successfully defended one of world’s largest heavy equipment auctioneers against claims by lienholder of auctioned equipment, establishing precedent protecting auctioneers.
- Carr-Gottstein Foods Co. v. Wasilla, LLC, 182 P. 3d 1131 (Alaska 2008) Took over appeal and won reversal of two separate trial results in multi-million dollar lease litigation for Alaska’s largest supermarket chain.
Other representative litigation matters include: - Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Holiday Alaska, Inc., Successfully defended major gasoline retailer against CERCLA and RCRA claims brought by neighboring landowner, winning summary dismissal of claims.
- Aleut Enterprise, LLC v. Independence Bank, et al., Won summary judgment for Alaska Native Corporation subsidiary, allowing repossession of fish processing plant in Adak, Alaska, and defeating millions in counterclaims.
- Kinney v. Holiday Alaska, Inc., Successfully defended gasoline retailer against wrongful discharge claims.
- McDowell v. Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co., Took over case after jury verdict returned against client for $1.2mm in damages for environmental contamination, won 75% remittitur of punitive damages award
- In re: Coastal Broadcasting, LLC, Successfully defended interests of local broadcaster in state antitrust investigation.
- In re: Crowley Maritime, et al, Successfully defended shipping company against antitrust challenge to merger.
News & Resources
Articles
"State Antitrust Practice and Statutes, 3d Ed," ABA (Alaska Section)
2004
News & Press Mentions
June 10, 2026
August 21, 2025
August 15, 2024
October 24, 2023
August 17, 2023
October 1, 2021
December 1, 2020
October 14, 2020
October 9, 2017
December 23, 2016
July 20, 2016
December 21, 2015
December 16, 2015
October 26, 2015
Industries & Practices
Government Enforcement & Corporate Investigations
Explore This Practice View resources related to this practice- Antitrust & Competition Law
- Appellate
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction & Design
- Environmental
- Government Enforcement & Corporate Investigations
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Insurance Law
- Labor & Employment
- Mining
- Pro Bono
- Real Estate Litigation
