Michael Jay Abrams

Insurance Recovery & Counseling

Litigation

Class Action Defense

Closely Held & Family Businesses

Non-Compete, Non-Solicit, Trade Secrets & Other Restrictive Covenants

Environmental Insurance Analysis & Recovery

Appellate

Civil Rights Insurance Recovery

Accountant Liability & Risk Management

General Business & Complex Commercial Litigation

First and foremost, Mike Abrams is a trial attorney in Kansas City who does his best work in the courtroom — obtaining noteworthy court decisions on behalf of companies in a wide range of industries, taking a stand for businesses fighting to keep their doors open, and exacting justice for exonerated individuals.

Named a “Litigation Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal for his procurement of influential legal decisions, Mike was also recognized by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for the Top Defense Verdict of 2018. Nostrum Laboratories v. Balboa Capital Corporation dealt with controversies involving capital leases related to sophisticated pharmaceutical research, development equipment and lab construction. After deliberating for only 48 minutes, the federal jury returned a defense verdict denying a $7 million counterclaim against Mike’s client and allowing it to keep the disputed equipment. One of the jurors was so impressed with Mike’s courtroom presence that he requested representation in his own business matters.

A member of the firm’s Business Litigation team and former member of Lathrop Gage’s Executive Committee, Mike has dedicated his 25+-year legal career to fighting for clients in a variety of litigation matters.

Mike has successfully defended and prosecuted jury and bench trials involving business torts, fraud, consumer protection claims, trade secrets, covenants not to compete, and professional liability and insurance coverage. Many of his insurance matters have resulted in written decisions in federal court, with several cases being cited numerous times in briefs and rulings in courts across the nation.

Mike is also a pioneer in recovering financial restitution for exonerated prisoners from the insurance carriers representing the public entities that wrongfully prosecuted and imprisoned them. He recently helped represent three Mississippi men who spent decades in prison for a rape and murder for which they were eventually exonerated. After pursuing law enforcement agencies and employees for their wrongful acts, Mike’s team secured a $16.5 million insurance settlement years after the prisoners’ convictions. “This is the most meaningful work we do,” he emphasizes. “Getting justice makes a huge difference for the exonerated and their families. And it makes police departments and communities better.” Mike’s civil rights insurance recovery work makes up about 20 percent of his practice.

With a deep commitment to advocating for justice and building strong communities, Mike also serves in leadership positions for several nonprofit organizations, including the Midwest Innocence Project, the Independent Citizen Advisory Board for Racial Profiling and Non-Biased Policing, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.

Parks v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2017 WL 411362 (D. Kan. 2017)

Brecek & Young Advisors, Inc. v. Lloyds of London Syndicate 2003, 2017 WL 2179111 (10th Cir. 2017)

Travelers Indemnity Co. v. Forrest County, 2006 F. Supp. 3d 2016 (S.D. Miss. 2016)

Hart v. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc., 2016 WL 5923429 (W.D. Mo. 2016)

IPFS v. Carrillo, 2016 WL 2904773 (D. Nev. 2016)

Foliar Nutrients, Inc., et al. v. Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Co., 133 F. Supp. 3d 1372 (M.D. Ga. 2015)

Hartford Fire Ins. Co. v. Vita Craft Corp., 911 F. Supp. 1164 (D. Kan. 2012)

Bank of America, NA v. UMB Financial Services, Inc., 618 F.3d 906 (2010)

Peak North Dakota, LLC v. Standing Bear Traders, LLC, et al., 2010 WL 2813508 (D.N.D. 2010)

Clay County Realty v. City of Gladstone, 254 S.W.3d 859 (Mo. 2008)

Safeco Ins. Co. of America v. Stephenson, Slip Copy, 2008 WL 351006, W.D. Mo., February 6, 2008 (No. 06-4294-CV-C-NKL)

Maxus Realty Trust, Inc. v. RSUI Indem. Co., Slip Copy, 2007 WL 4468697, W.D. Mo., December 17, 2007 (No. 06-0750-CV-W-ODS)

Building Owners & Managers Ass’n of Greater Kansas City v. City of Kansas City, 231 S.W.3D 208, 2007 WL 1672489, Mo. App. W.D., June 12, 2007 (No. WD 66618)

Safeco Ins. Co. of America v. Stephenson, Slip Copy, 2007 WL 1558585, W.D. Mo., May 25, 2007 (No. 06-4294-CV-C-NKL)

First Specialty Ins. Corp. v. NAIS, Inc., 459 F. Supp. 2d 1094, 2006 WL 3059920, D. Kan. October 27, 2006 (No. 05-2399-JWL)

Star Ins. Co. v. Berry Ins. Agency, Not Reported in F. Supp. 2d, 2006 WL 2460646, D. Kan., August 23, 2006 (Civil Action No. 01-21280-CM)