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- Overview
- Experience
- Affiliations
- Recognitions
- Insights
Overview
For over three decades, Michael Higginbotham has represented clients in high-stakes commercial litigation, bringing a distinctive combination of law firm trial experience and Fortune 100 in-house counsel leadership. His practice encompasses commercial litigation, transportation law, and professional liability matters.
Michael is experienced in consumer and employment class actions, government investigations, and litigation involving government adversaries, giving him a comprehensive understanding of how disputes unfold from multiple angles. He provides sophisticated counsel and strategic advocacy, representing clients in state and federal courts nationwide, with admissions to the United States Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and various federal district courts.
Michael is well-versed in transportation law and commercial litigation. His advanced knowledge of surface and air transportation operations, supply chain logistics, brokerage operations, and independent contractor networks enables him to provide informed, practical counsel to clients in the transportation and logistics industry. This proficiency allows him to efficiently navigate complex regulatory frameworks and craft winning strategies for clients facing litigation.
Michael's 15 years of in-house experience at FedEx – including his past role as Managing Director of Government and Commercial Litigation – provides him with a strategic advantage in understanding corporate structure and priorities while managing complex litigation efficiently. In that capacity, he managed a team of lawyers defending commercial disputes and government investigations nationwide. He was twice awarded the FedEx Five Star Award, the company's highest honor.
Prior to joining FedEx, Michael honed his litigation skills at several Memphis law firms and developed a robust insurance defense practice. He started his career as an Assistant District Attorney General for the 18th Judicial District of Tennessee, where he prosecuted a full range of state criminal charges and completed 12 jury trials and over 100 bench trials.
Michael's extensive background in complex commercial litigation and his experience as executive-level corporate counsel enable him to deliver results-driven representation that resolves disputes strategically while protecting his clients' business interests and needs.
Community Involvement
- Outreach Teen & Family Services (Non-Profit), Second Vice President
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Education
- University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. | 1993
- Washington and Lee University, B.A. | 1990
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
Court Admissions
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
Related Services
- Represented clients on transportation engagements including warehousing, surety, and export matters.
- Internal investigations. Matters including FCPA issues, domestic federal corruption investigations and CPB enforcement actions.
- Defense of a multitude of claims for loss or damage to cargo in transit, arising under federal common law, the Carmack Amendment, and international trade treaties.
- California Attorney General Contraband Cigarette Investigation. Response to subpoena and follow-on investigation resulted in closure of investigation without closing order or litigation.
Education
- University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. | 1993
- Washington and Lee University, B.A. | 1990
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
Court Admissions
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
Related Services
Affiliations
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Memphis Bar Association
- Transportation Lawyers Association
Education
- University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. | 1993
- Washington and Lee University, B.A. | 1990
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
Court Admissions
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
Related Services
Recognitions
- Awarded the FedEx Five Star Award, (2007 & 2019)
Education
- University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. | 1993
- Washington and Lee University, B.A. | 1990
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
Court Admissions
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee