Michael L. (Mike) Slack
Slack Davis Sanger, L.L.P.
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
Practice Areas
- Airplane & Helicopter Crashes
- Catastrophic Personal Injury
- Dangerous Products
- Truck Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Class Actions
Mike Slack focuses on the most challenging and demanding areas of civil litigation, including aviation law and product liability cases against major corporations. A licensed pilot and former NASA aerospace engineer, Mike combines his technical knowledge and skills with his extensive litigation and trial experience for the benefit of his clients.
Mike's legal experience includes more than 36 years and litigating hundreds of lawsuits arising from catastrophic injuries and deaths due to unsafe products or practices. For most of his legal career, he has focused on aviation accident cases, handling a diverse array of aviation accident cases in every aviation realm from major airline disasters to smaller general aviation aircraft. Besides providing the highest-quality legal services, Mike believes that it is his firm's responsibility not just to serve as our clients' legal advocate, but also to provide a comprehensive support system for our clients who have experienced a tragedy in their lives. In his legal career Mike has litigated or tried lawsuits in state or federal courts in 36 states.
As an engineer, Mike is a problem solver. He relentlessly seeks to identify the problem that led to the accident or loss and identify ways to correct deficiencies in the product or practice. Mike makes it a priority to be proactive in a lawsuit and reduce or eliminate the risk of similar accidents or losses from happening in the future. He has received national media attention as an advocate for aviation safety, especially stronger federal oversight over unsafe products or practices in the realms of aircraft design and operations of air ambulances, charters, air tours and commercial hot air balloons.
Mike has achieved record settlements and verdicts in numerous cases against aviation operators and manufacturers. Besides securing optimum monetary compensation for his clients, Mike aggressively seeks to eliminate dangerous defects for unsafe products or practices. In a case where the product defect was being ignored by the manufacturer and the Federal Aviation Administration, he was able to negotiate a voluntary recall program as part of the settlement, in which the helicopter manufacturer agreed to establish a retrofit program for its owners to obtain a redesigned fuel system that eliminated the risk of a post-impact fire in otherwise survivable accidents. That agreement also included an inspection protocol where he could visit the manufacturer’s facility and inspect the retrofit production line with no prior notice to the manufacturer.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mike was a senior aerospace engineer at NASA, where he worked on the Apollo-Soyuz and Space Shuttle programs and received special recognition from NASA for his contributions. While at NASA he innovated a system, later used on Space Shuttle launches, which greatly mitigated flight loads during ascent. In 2002, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics named Mike an Associate Fellow, a unique honor for an attorney. He has been honored with the Outstanding Aerospace Engineer and Distinguished Aerospace Engineer Alumni Awards by the Texas A&M University's Department of Aerospace Engineering in the Dwight Look College of Engineering.
Mike is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Advocate and by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law and Aviation Law.
Education
- B.S. and M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University (1973, 1974)
- J.D., The University of Texas at Austin (1983)
Licenses
- Texas Law License (1983)
- Registered Professional Engineer (Aerospace)
- Licensed Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator W5QKM
- Private Pilot Single Engine Land, Instrument Rating
Certifications
- Board Certified in Aviation Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
Professional Associations
- Texas State Bar Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Austin Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Past President (1997)
- Board of Directors
- American Association for Justice
- Past Chair, Aviation Law Section
- Board of Governors
- Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
- Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- National Business Aviation Association
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, Advisory Board (2005-2019)
- Judicial Compensation Commission, State of Texas (2008–2017)
- Texas Pattern Jury Committee Volume I (2008–2017)
- Texas Pattern Jury Oversight Committee (2018-present)
- Texas A&M Hagler Institute for Advanced Study External Advisory Board (2023- present)
Honors & Awards
- Distinguished Aggie Lawyer, Texas A&M University (2023)
- Distinguished Aerospace Engineering Alumni, Texas A&M University (2018)
- Outstanding Aerospace Engineer, Texas A&M University (2014)
- Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2009 – present)
- Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers (2003 – Present)
- AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- The Best Lawyers in America® BL Rankings (1999-present)
- 73rd Texas Legislature, Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock (Contributions to Products Liability Bill), (1993)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Mission STS-2 (1981)
- Bendix National Student Design Team Award Recipient (Unmanned Venutian Lander), (1973)
Publications
- “Anchors Away after Gregory v. Chohan,” with Kevin Dubose, SBOT, Advanced Trial Strategies (2024)
Publications
- "Going Viral: COVID-Related Issues and Lessons Learned for Plaintiffs, Defendants, and Insurers," Embry-Riddle Aviation Law and Insurance Symposium (2021)
- "Preparing for the Virtual Trial," State Bar of Texas Advanced Trial Strategies (2021)
- "Anatomy of an Air Crash," North Austin IMC Club Capital of Texas Aviation Seminar (2020)
- "Initiating Litigation," State Bar of Texas 9thAnnual Advanced Trial Strategies (2020)
- "Forum Selection and Jurisdictional Challenges in Multiple Defendant Litigation Post-
- Daimler," State Bar of Texas 8thAnnual Advanced Trial Strategies (2019)
- "Trial Techniques and Tactics: Those Who Influence Juror Damage Awards," ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice (2018)
- "General Aviation Revitalization Act – An Update," IATS 2018 Air & Transport Law Conference Panel Presentation (2018)
- "Knowing Your Audience – The Art of Resonating with Different Generations," State Bar of Texas 7thAnnual Advanced Trial Strategies Seminar (2018)
- "Getting to "Resolved:" Preparing Your Plaintiffs’ or Defense Damages Case,” Embry Riddle Aviation Law & Insurance Symposium (2018)
- "Autonomous Vehicles — What Does the Future Hold?" (State Bar of Texas [SBOT], 2017 Advanced Personal Injury Law Course)
- "A Game of Drones" (Trial, December 2015)
- "Emerging Technology: Legal Issues Involving Drones and Autonomous Vehicles" (SBOT, 2016 Advanced Personal Injury Law Course)
- "Managing the Complex Case" (SBOT, 2016 Advanced Trial Strategies Seminar Panel Presentation)
- "Dealing With Drone Mischief"(Law360, October 13, 2015)
- "Developing Strategies to Combat State and Federal Preemption Defenses" (SBOT, 2015 Advanced Personal Injury Law Course)
- “Don’t Let Preemption Ground Your Aviation Case,” TrialMagazine, Journal of the American Association for Justice, co-authored with Donna Bowen, March 2007
- "Countdown to Success: Preparing the Plaintiff’s Case for Trial" (2015 SMU Air Law Symposium)
- "Aviation Safety in the New Millennium" (Austin Metropolitan Breakfast Club, February 2014)
- "Three Things Lawyers Can Learn From Teachers"(Texas Lawyer, August 11, 2014)
- "Presenting Complex Facts to a Jury" (SBOT, 2014 Advanced Trial Strategies)
- "The Art of Simplicity: Direct & Cross Examination in Complex Cases" (American Association for Justice [AAJ], 2014 Winter Convention)
- "The Legislature’s Impact on the Trial Bar" (Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, 2014)
- "Translating Technical Concepts for Today’s Jury" (AAJ, 2014 Annual Convention)
- "It’s Complicated: Tips on Making Complex Cases Simple" (SBOT, 2014 Annual Meeting)
- "The Art of Simplicity: Litigating Complex Cases" (SBOT, 2013 Advanced Civil Trial Course 2013; 2014 Embry Riddle Aviation Law and Insurance Symposium)
- "Emerging Technologies and Challenges in Aviation Safety" (American Bar Association [ABA], October 2013)
- "Plaintiff and Damages Expert — The Complex Path to a Fair and Reasonable Damages Award" (National Institute on Aviation Litigation Conference, ABA, June 2012)
- "Legends of the Fall" (Texas Trial Lawyers Association [TTLA], September 2012)
- "Transactions Gone Bad: Litigation Between Buyers and Sellers of Aircraft" (National Business Aviation Association, November 2012)
- “Aviation Management & Aircraft Ownership,” NBAA 65thAnnual Meeting & Convention (2012)
- "Overview of Preemption in Aviation Product Liability Cases" (SBOT, 2008)
- "Deposing and Cross-Examining the Design Engineer" (TTLA, 2008)
- “Air Ambulance Operations: Too Little, Too Late,” Association of Trial Lawyers of America, October 2005 Aviation Section Newsletter
- “HB 4 — Tort Reform in Texas: Thinking Outside the Bench,” Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention, 2003
- "Communicating Damages in Complex Cases," Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Advanced Personal Injury Course (2002)
- "Air Ambulance Operations: Enhancing Public Safety or Causing Unnecessary Tragedy?" SMU Air Law Symposium (2001)
- "Daubert & Its Progeny: Curbing Junk Science or Promoting Junk Law," Louisiana TLA Last Chance Seminar (2000)
- Scientific Evidence Since Daubert: A Plaintiff’s Perspective,” Civil Trial Practice: Winning Techniques of Successful Trial Attorneys, Lawyers, and Judges Publishing Co. (2000)
- "Selected Materials on HMO Liability," UT 2nd Annual Conference (1998) "Mass Torts," TTLA Products Liability — Plaintiffs Go On the Offense (1998) "No Fault," State Bar of Texas Advanced Personal Injury Law Course (1997)
- "Handling The Difficult Opposing Counsel or Witness," TTLA First Choice CLE (1996)
- "Tort Reform: A Retrospective," State Bar of Texas Business Litigation: Changes in Law Impacting Your Practice (1996)
- "Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Conflicts of Interest, Advertising & Barratry," State Bar of Texas Preparing, Trying, and Settling Auto Collision Cases Institute (1996)
- "Handling Complex and Mass Tort Cases," State Bar of Texas Legal Assistants Division Advanced Civil Trial Law Seminar (1996)
- "Tort Reform Update: Venue, Damages, Liability, DTPA," State Bar College Annual Seminar Highlights of the 74th Legislature (1996)
- "Medical Device and Pharmaceutical Cases," TTLA Advanced Product Liability Seminar (1996)
- "Legislative Update: Effect of Tort Reform Legislation," TTLA Car Wrecks Seminar (1995)
- "Handling Medical Device and Pharmaceutical Cases (A Perspective on L-Tryptophan, Norplant and Pedicle Instrumentation Litigation)," TTLA 6th Annual Medical Malpractice Seminar (1995)
- "Evaluating, Prosecuting and Defending Norplant Cases (A Plaintiff's Perspective on the Norplant Litigation)," SMU School of Law, The Cutting Edge of Medical Malpractice Seminar (1995)
- "Lawsuit Reform," State Bar of Texas Legislative Update Institute (1995)
- "Legislative Update: Major Legislation," TTLA Hot Tips for Hot Time: The TTLA Beach Seminar (1995)
- "State Legislative Update," State Bar of Texas 11th Annual Advanced Personal Injury Law Course (1995)
- "Investigation and Reconstruction of General Aviation Cases," Aviation Law Section, American Trial Lawyers Association (1995)
- "Legislative Update," TTLA Legislative update (1995)
- "Legislative and Case Law Update," South Texas College of Law Automobile Injury Litigation IV: Tips, Tricks & Traps (1995)
- "Tort Reform In the Aviation Practice" (1995)
- "Trends and Developments in Product Liability Law (Covering Recent Cases and Statutory Developments)," TTLA Advanced Products Liability Seminar (1995)
- "Products Liability Update — Covering Cases and Statutory Developments in 1993 & 1994," TTLA Hot Tips for Hot Times Seminar (1994)
- "The No-Fault Fraud," TTLA Surviving the 90's Seminar (1990); Trial Lawyers Forum (1991)
- "The Effective Use of Settlement Week-Plaintiff's Perspective," Austin Lawyers Journal (1990)
- "Litigation in the Federal Courts," CLA Examination Review Course (1988)
Notable
Cases
Negligently Prescribed Medication Causes Harm to Baby
A young woman was improperly prescribed a dangerous teratogenic (which causes birth injuries) drug for a minor condition. Unknown to her, the drug’s effects persist in the system for up to three years, and although this effect is not well known to the public, it is or should be well known to prescribing physicians and…
Case DetailsSevere Brain Injury During Elective Surgery
A young man having elective surgery never recovered from the brain damage caused by surgical and anesthesia negligence, poor hospital staffing and training and dangerous surgical products. The surgeon, using a robotic assistive device, made an inadvertent hole into the chest cavity, which he did not detect. This led to the collapse of the lung…
Case Details18-Wheeler Traveling in Wrong Lane Results in Liability Lawsuit
Slack Davis Sanger recently resolved a case involving the wrongful death of a 22-year-old young man who died as a result of a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler that was traveling in the wrong lane in West Texas. The case settled for the policy limit of liability of the trucking company that owned the truck…
Case DetailsDowned Power Line Results in Electrical Burn Injuries to a Child
Slack Davis Sanger recently successfully resolved a case involving serious electrical burn injuries to a 6-year-old Navajo boy living on Navajo tribal lands in the Four Corners area of Utah. Texas-based oil companies operated an oil field adjacent to the boy’s home. An electrical power pole supplying power to the field rotted and fell over,…
Case DetailsFirst Officer’s Improper Rudder Use Results in Commercial Airplane Crash Lawsuit
Case Title: American Airlines Flight 587 On November 12, 2001, American Airlines Flight 587, flying from JFK International Airport, New York to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, crashed into the Belle Harbor neighborhood in Queens, New York. All 260 people on board died (251 passengers, nine crew members), along with five people on the ground. It…
Case DetailsInadequate Safety Guards and Safety Training Lead to Cotton Gin Worker Losing His Leg
Case title: Damon Wilson v. PPF Gin & Warehouse, LLC; Lummus Corporation; Ram Manufacturing Company; and Stover Equipment Co., Inc.; Cause No. 11248 in the 62nd Judicial District Court of Delta County, Texas. Mitch McCrea represented Damon Wilson, a recently-hired cotton gin laborer, who lost his leg when his supervisors asked him to climb onto the…
Case DetailsInadequate 18-Wheeler Brakes Lead to Wrongful Death Case
Case Title: Duckworth v. Clayton Homes Mitch McCrea represented the surviving family of Dickie Duckworth who was killed when another 18-wheeler hauling a Clayton manufactured home crossed the center line and crashed into him head-on on U.S. 79 in Anderson County, Texas. During the course of discovery, we learned that only one of the axles…
Case DetailsDiscriminatory Auto Insurance Rates Result in Significant Settlement
Case title: Grigson, et al. v. Farmers Group, Inc. (W.D. Tex.) In 2017, Charles Grigson filed a class action lawsuit against Farmers Insurance Group, Inc. alleging discriminatory rates. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of all Farmers auto insurance customers in the state of Texas who were policyholders in the Farmers Auto 2.0 (FA2) book.…
Case DetailsMalfunctioning Power Swivel Unit Results in Catastrophic Personal Injury Lawsuit
Case Title: Murphy v. Excel Site Rentals, LLC On November 11, 2017, an employee of Consolidated Well Services LLC was working as a floor hand on the Yoder 2-H well site in Bradford Country, Pennsylvania. A power swivel unit owned and operated by Excel Site Rentals, LLC rotated unintentionally as the worker reached to release…
Case DetailsDefective Product Results in Dallas Workplace Injury Lawsuit
Case Title: Meyer v. Cooper Industries, et al Workplace injuries suffered due to negligence or faulty tools can tragically and permanently change the lives of an employee and their family, as happened to elevator technician Michael Meyer just days before Christmas 2018. A Debilitating On-the-Job Injury Meyer lost the use of his right arm, suffered…
Case Details