Overview
Michael J. Watson is an experienced mediator and trial lawyer whose practice focuses on tort and commercial litigation in state and federal courts across Texas. His areas of expertise include professional liability defense, insurance coverage litigation and business disputes. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Watson regularly advises clients on insurance coverage and risk mitigation and has extensive experience in assisting clients in identifying and defending questionable or fraudulent claims. He has been awarded an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™ from Martindale-Hubbell®.
Honors & Awards
2024 Best Lawyers in America award for Commercial Litigation
Awarded AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Order of the Lytae
South Texas Law Review
Professional Affiliations
Professional
State Bar of Texas
Dallas Bar Association
American Bar Association
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
News & Insights
Publications
Presenter: Circle of Excellence
Presenter: “Prompt Payment of Claims and the Texas Insurance Code”
Presenter: “Investigating and Defending Arson Claims” North Texas IASIU – Insurance Fraud Seminar
Author: “When is it Bad Faith to Settle for Policy Limits?” Dallas Bar Association, Headnotes, Tort and Insurance Law
Practice Areas
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (Insurance)
- Arson & Fraud Defense
- Auto Insurance (Personal and Commercial)
- Bad Faith Litigation
- Commercial General Liability
- Commercial Litigation
- Coverage Analysis and Advice
- Defense of Errors and Omissions Claims
- Excess and Primary Disputes
- Personal Lines Coverage
- Professional Liability
- Property and Casualty Insurance
- Surplus Lines Coverage
Credentials
Education
South Texas College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1998
West Texas A&M University, B.S., magna cum laude, 1995
Admissions
- Texas Courts
- United States District Court, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts
of Texas - United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
Employment
- Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, L.L.P., December 2013 – present
- Walker Sewell, L.L.P., June 2004 – December 2013
- Sandbote & Waggoner, P.C., August 2001 – June 2004
- Watson & Dressler, November 1998 – August 2001