Michael C. Richards
CONCENTRATION
Michael joined the Litigation Division of the Davis Brown Law Firm as a lateral in May 2011. During the last ten years, his litigation practice has focused on all stages of complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on defense litigation. He currently serves as chair of the firm's Product Liability Department.
Michael has represented individuals, including doctors and lawyers,
as well as corporations, companies and insurance carriers in claims
involving allegations of medical malpractice, legal malpractice,
professional malpractice, directors and officers liability, defamation,
and wrongful termination.
His practice also includes municipality litigation, premises liability, construction litigation, toxic tort litigation for petroleum and sludge spills, products liability, tractor trailer and motor vehicle accident litigation, employee benefits litigation, casualty insurance defense, general insurance defense
litigation, and general civil litigation. Michael is also routinely
engaged to provide coverage opinions for insurance carriers and
insureds.
In addition to many bench trials, Michael has first-chaired more than 15 jury trials to verdict in state and federal courts. He has also
negotiated and mediated numerous other cases, many of which involved multimillion dollar claims.
Michael is licensed to practice law in Iowa, Virginia and the District
of Columbia, and is admitted to all of the state courts in those
jurisdictions. He is also admitted to all of the federal courts in Iowa,
Virginia, and the United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
ACADEMICS
Michael graduated with High Honors from Drake University Law School in 2001. He attained a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Iowa in 1998.
OF NOTE
Prior to accepting a position with the Davis Brown Law Firm, Michael lived in Virginia and was a partner at a Roanoke, Virginia law firm.
PERSONAL
Michael and his wife Leighton (also a Drake University School of Law graduate) have three children, Maggie, Fletcher and Sam.
Memberships
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District of Columbia Bar Association
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Iowa Defense Counsel Association
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Iowa State Bar Association
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Professional Liability Defense Federation
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Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
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Virginia State Bar Association
Alma Maters
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Drake University Law School, 2001
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University of Iowa, 1998
Bar Admissions
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District of Columbia, 2002
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Iowa, 2001
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Virginia, 2002
Articles