“Michael Goldberg (Hall of Fame) is a brilliant lawyer who takes a practical approach to problem solving. After evaluating an issue’s strictly legal implications, he has an uncanny ability to view the case from a solutions point of view, taking a business approach to cut through the complex legal issues.”
Legal 500 2022
During his forty years of practice, Mr. Goldberg has served as lead counsel in diverse litigation matters including antitrust/competition, banking/finance, bankruptcy, commercial, construction, corporate acquisitions, defamation, discrimination, energy, entertainment, environmental, ERISA, FCPA and other criminal investigations, intellectual property, partnership, premises liability, products liability, qui tam, real estate and sports law.
Mr. Goldberg's experience extends to a broad array of international matters involving clients, adversaries, and/or issues in Angola, Armenia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Venezuela and Yemen.
Mr. Goldberg has served as general counsel for professional sports teams such as the NBA's Houston Rockets. He is a past Chair of the Holocaust Museum Houston. He has also served as a council member of the Council of Legal Opportunities (CLEO), an organization that works with minority and low-income students to help them prepare for and attend law school. He is an Adjunct Professor of International Arbitration at the University of Texas School of Law.
"Michael has an eminent legal mind. He is tenacious, creative, flexible and has an uncanny ability to create victory even when the odds are long."
Chambers USA 2021
Michael Goldberg is "a superlative advocate who has a tremendous amount of experience. He is one of the best. He [c]an persuasively and cogently argue something in a very short space of time no matter what the pressure."
Chambers USA 2020
ACCOLADES
“Michael Goldberg is an outstanding international advocate.” Legal 500 2023
“Michael is on top of the details, very hard working, and dedicated to the case. He is very knowledgeable in arbitration and files excellent papers.” Chambers Global 2023
“He is a superb advocate. He's measured, eloquent and logical – very effective." Chambers USA 2023
Michael Goldberg "is noted for his 'clear, persuasive and compelling oral arguments.'" Chambers Global 2020
"Practice chair Michael Goldberg maintains a global reputation for excellence in international arbitration work, offering experience in disputes involving clients and investments across Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America." Chambers Global 2018 - International Arbitration - USA
Michael has been described as "strategic and business oriented" and “is highly regarded for his representation of sovereigns and corporates in a variety of high-value international arbitrations globally." Chambers USA 2018
“’Terrific litigator’ Michael Goldberg of Baker Botts L.L.P. is a hugely experienced trial lawyer who is completely at home advising clients across a wide range of highly contentious international litigation and arbitration matters.” Chambers Global 2017
Michael Goldberg "maintains a global reputation for excellence in international arbitration." He is praised for his "deft touch" and is described as "tremendous." Chambers USA 2017
Michael Goldberg is "strategic, personable and highly experienced" Legal 500 US 2017 - Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration
Michael Goldberg has "remarkable success in very complicated matters." Chambers 2016 - International Arbitration - USA
Michael Goldberg "is simply a winner" and "has the unique ability to invoke confidence with the client, which is even more impressive when you consider that the clients include distinguished government officials."Legal 500 2015 - International Arbitration
Related Experience
Representative Litigation Matters
- International Arbitration – lead counsel or Arbitrator in arbitrations under the AAA, ICDR, CPR, ICC, LCIA, PCA, SCC and ZCC
- Russian Federation and key officials – lead counsel on several litigation matters brought against the Russian Federation and various Ministers
- Gazpromneft – lead counsel on a multibillion-dollar bankruptcy filing by Yukos Oil Company
- Ford Motor Company – national counsel for 20 years, handling a wide variety of high-stakes litigation matters for the company
- Kia Motors Corporation – lead counsel in an international (ICC) arbitration for Kia Motors Corp. in a dispute over a joint venture in Brazil
- Hines Interests Limited Partnership – lead counsel for 20 years on a wide variety of real estate and construction matters
Representative Governmental Relation Matters
- Negotiations with Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission officials regarding criminal investigations and international disputes
- Negotiations with mayors, city councils and governors regarding financial subsidies for business relocations
- Negotiations with Chinese government officials regarding the release of international star Yao Ming to play in the NBA
- Negotiations with the Houston mayor and city council for a $300 million arena complex
- Former co-head of Baker Botts' Political Action Committees
Representative International Transactional Matters
- Construtora Norberto Odebrecht and Techint International Construction Corp. – consortium bid with Enron and IPL for a BOT bid in excess of $1 billion for expansion of the TransEcuadorian Pipeline
- Mitsubishi Corporation – long-term styrene supply contract secured by a mortgage on the styrene plant
- Mitsubishi Corporation – asset purchase of a local U.S. engineering company
- Construtora Norberto Odebrecht – consortium construction bid with Bechtel to Shell for the $3 billion development of the “Camisea” gas fields
References
- Leslie Alexander, Former Owner of the Houston Rockets
- Tilman Fertitta, CEO Landry's, Inc.
- Jeff Starzec, General Counsel, EnVen Energy Corp.
- Mario Garnero, President, Brasilinvest Empreendimentos e Participacoes S.A.
- Bernt Netland, President & CEO, Intercontinental Terminals Company, LLC
Awards & Community
Fellow, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
Listed in 2023 and 2024 as one of the "500 leading Global Litigators" by Lawdragon.
Recommended in 2024 by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) in Arbitration
Inducted in 2018 into the Initial Hall of Fame for International Arbitration by The Legal 500.
Listed in 2023 and 2024 for exceptional work in Commercial Litigation, Arbitration, International Arbitration- Commercial and Governmental (Lawyer of the Year in Houston in 2023) by Best Lawyers.
Presented in 2017 with the “Light of Justice in Action Award” by the Texas Defender Service.
Recognized in 2015 as a "Trailblazer" for White Collar Litigation by The National Law Journal.
Education
B.A., Political Science & Legal Studies, Rice University 1979magna cum laudePhi Beta Kappa
J.D., The University of Texas School of Law 1982with honors
Admissions & Affiliations
Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
State Bar of Texas
New York State Bar
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
United States Supreme Court
London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
The Institute for Transnational Arbitration of The Center for American and International Law