Michael S. Christian

Mike’s practice includes litigation, business counseling and transactional work.  As a litigator, he focuses on complex matters in the areas of labor and employment, antitrust law, intellectual property protection and commercial disputes.  Mike has significant federal and state court litigation experience, including dozens of arbitrations, mediations and trials.  He recently served as trial counsel in a class action where he represented over 115,000 Wal-Mart employees in the matter of Savaglio, et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. et al.  Following a three and a half month trial, the Savaglio jury awarded a $172 million verdict based on Wal-Mart’s violations of California’s Labor Code.  Mike has also counseled numerous Fortune 500 energy companies, financial institutions, retailers, manufacturers and other businesses in a variety of matters.  In one such matter, he represented a major energy company in connection with California’s 2000-2001 electricity crisis.  His transactional experience includes intellectual property prosecution, intellectual property protection and the drafting and negotiation of related licenses and agreements.  Mike is also experienced in practicing before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.     

Mike received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1997.  He served as executive note editor for the University of Arizona Law Review, received the  Dean’s Achievement Award and was awarded membership in the Order of the Coif.  Mike received his  B.S., with honors, from Southern Oregon University in 1990.

Articles & Presentations

Lecture, Savaglio v. Wal-Mart – Anatomy of a Wage & Hour /UCL Class Action Trial as Told by Counsel for the Parties (16th Annual Litigation & Resolution of Complex Class Actions Institute, January 17, 2007)

Article, Twice Bitten: Violations of Ethical Rules as Evidence of Legal Malpractice, The Brief (American Bar Association Tort & Insurance Practice Section, Spring 1999); republished in GP Solo, Best of ABA Sections, March 2000 (co-author)