Michael C. Barnhill

Mike Barnhill is an experienced civil litigator and trial attorney who has represented clients in a wide variety of matters, including cases involving contractual breaches, torts (including fraud and negligence), misappropriation of trade secrets, securities violations, and employment issues (wage and hour, discrimination).  Mike also defends class action suits and financial services companies in consumer litigation.  Mike is licensed in both California and Utah and has represented extensively litigated cases in both states as well as many other states. 

Mike has handled many class and collective action lawsuits. In addition, Mike’s consumer protection defense practice involves defending companies accused of violating federal and state consumer protection laws, including Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) suits.  In addition to defending class action suits, he is also retained as monitoring counsel on behalf of clients who want assurances that counsel appointed by a third party is looking out for the clients’ best interest.  He has experience in all stages of litigation and has contributed to the successful resolution of a broad range of civil disputes.

Solutions in action

Recent cases include:

• In BACT Limited Partnership v. Binks, 2013 UT App 197, 307 P.3d 693, obtained a judgment against several individuals and companies that conspired to fraudulently transfer properties from a judgment debtor to avoid our client’s judgment. Obtained a default judgment because of the defendants’ discovery abuses, which the Court of Appeals affirmed.
• Successfully represented a staffing agency as lead trial counsel in a bench trial in state court over a contract dispute, obtaining a full judgment and an award for attorney fees in the client’s favor
• Successfully represented a local manufacturer as lead trial counsel in a three-year contract dispute and multi-day trial.  Soundly defeated the debtor’s UCC Article 2 defenses and obtained a full judgment and an award for attorney fees and costs in the client’s favor.
• Direct litigation over contract disputes for a nationwide staffing agency, obtaining settlements and judgments valued at more than $1 million
• Representing a loan servicing company in suits alleging violations of FDCPA, TCPA, and state statutes
• Obtained summary judgment in federal court for an employer on its former employee’s sexual harassment and discrimination claims
• Settled a securities fraud case for an amount acceptable to clients