Michael Barnett

About Michael Barnett

I advance my clients\' goals by developing a deep understanding of their business and helping them strategically engage on tough legal issues, including through a trial-ready approach to litigation. My clients look to me for contract and commercial disputes; dealer and product distribution issues; and trade secret, restrictive covenant, and unfair competition claims. I routinely partner with companies in the insurance and reinsurance brokerage, financial services, software and information technology; and automotive, heavy equipment, and trucking industries. Trade Secret, Restrictive Covenant, and Unfair Competition Litigation I help employers protect their valuable business relationships, confidential information, and trade secrets. I have successfully enforced my client\'s contractual rights under restrictive covenants (non-compete, non-solicit, and confidentiality provisions) and statutory protections through temporary restraining orders and other injunctive relief as well as seeking damages under the DTSA and state trade secret statutes. My experience includes litigation on behalf of clients in venues across the country, including in Michigan, California, Florida, New York, Missouri, Kansas, and Georgia. Business DisputesI assist businesses through litigated and non-litigated commercial disputes, including claims for breach of contract, indemnity, violation of UCC warranties, business torts, and in post-closing litigation. I have significant experience with lawsuits involving insurance brokerage commission; goods covered by UCC Article 2; and software implementations and software license, support, and maintenance agreements (especially healthcare IT). I have tried contract and business tort cases to verdict in several venues across the country.Product Distribution and Dealer LawI work with clients on sales and supply chain contracts and disputes, with a focus on regulated products, including motor vehicles, specialty vehicles, and heavy equipment, as well as food and other FDA-regulated items. I\'ve partnered with clients on contract administration and enforcement, dealer and distributor performance management and terminations, contract updates, relationship modifications (both individual and system-wide), product-repurchase disputes, and claims for indemnity arising out of performance and recall issues.

Experience

1. Partner

   Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.

   Mar 2018 — Present

Education

• University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Law

  J.D., magna cum laude

  2007 — 2010

• Missouri State University

  B.S., summa cum laude, Economics (Political Science, Legal Studies)

  2003 — 2007