Mike McCauley represents Fortune 500 companies and leaders from many industries in complex construction and commercial disputes. He represents and advises public and private owners, design professionals, and contractors involved in disputes in a broad range of projects, including highway, building, energy, and industrial. Mike has represented clients at trial and in arbitrations.
Mike has won many of his cases on dispositive motions. For cases that have gone to trial, he has prevailed in all of them. For example, Mike prevailed in an arbitration for DIRECTV that resulted in an award of more than $28 million and a complete victory on a $50 million counterclaim. The Daily Journal highlighted this victory as one of the top verdicts of 2010 in California. Mike also prevailed in a trial in Orange County Superior Court for the Los Angeles Unified School District against a contractor asserting $90 million in damages against the School District for allegedly wrongfully terminating its contract. He also represented the Transbay Joint Powers Authority in the complex, highly publicized cases involving the movement of the Millennium Tower in San Francisco.
Mike maintains an active pro bono practice. He has represented local municipalities in criminal jury trials. He is a member of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers and the board of managers for the Stuart M. Ketchum Downtown YMCA. He is a founding board member of the Queen of Angels Foundation and of the Judicial Profile Committee for the LA County Bar Association.
Experience
Additional Publications
- January
Construction Projects and Disputes in the COVID-19 World: A Look Beyond the Lockdown, American Law Institute
Speaking Engagements
- January 26, 2021
Lawyers and Social Media, Ethical Considerations - December 3, 2020
Ethical Considerations: TV Lawyers “Do’s and Don’ts” - June 25, 2020
Major Construction Projects: Tips For Avoiding Common Owner Mistakes During A Pandemic - January 30, 2020
Two Yutes and an Ethically Challenged Cousin Vinny - January 31, 2019
Mediation of Construction Disputes: Dos and Don'ts - January 22, 2015
Avoiding Ethical Traps Presented by New Technology - January 14, 2014
Ethics Flack Jacket for In-House Counsel - January 24, 2013
Recent Legal Ethics Developments for Corporate Counsel - January 26, 2012
Ethical Considerations in Resolving Disputes and Settling Litigation - January 12, 2012
Ethical Considerations in Settling Disputes and Litigation - January 28, 2010
Ethical Pitfalls in Internal Investigations: Issues of Privilege, Cooperation with the Government, and Conflicts of Interest
- University of Notre Dame (J.D. magna cum laude 1996; Research & Project Editor, Notre Dame Law Review); University of St. Francis (B.S. in Political Science magna cum laude 1993)
- California; U.S. District Courts for the Central, Southern, and Northern Districts of California; and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Southern California Super Lawyers (2010-2016)
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Wayne R. Andersen, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (1997-1999)