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Michael Desmond is a corporate associate, with expertise in advising companies in governance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, and major transactions from formation to exit.

Michael advises businesses of all sizes, from emerging companies to established enterprises, on corporate governance, entity formation, commercial transactions, and strategic business planning. He serves as outside counsel to companies across a broad range of industries, helping clients navigate day-to-day legal challenges while supporting long-term growth objectives. His clients include start-ups and established businesses in all sectors, including Technology, Health Care, Dining & Hospitality, and Construction.

A substantial portion of Michael's practice involves drafting and negotiating sophisticated corporate and commercial agreements. His experience includes licensing agreements, supply and distribution agreements, master service agreements for SaaS providers, confidentiality agreements and non-competes, and the full range of governing documents for corporate entities. He also advises clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, asset purchases and sales, commercial real estate transactions, and other complex business transactions.

In matters of corporate governance, Michael is a trusted advisor to stakeholders in both management and ownership of various corporate entities at all stages of the business lifecycle. When disputes emerge within a company, time is always of the essence. Michael spearheads rapid responses to corporate crises to solve problems in the boardroom, rather than the courtroom, whenever possible. Michael also brings his dispute-resolution experience to bear proactively in drafting governing documents that will stand the test of time.

In safeguarding his clients’ Intellectual Property, Michael has participated in registrations of copyrights and trademarks both in state registries and nationally, and he has led multiple successful administrative challenges through the office of the Attorney General of Texas to prevent disclosures of his clients’ trade secrets under the Texas Public Information Act.

Michael also has experience as counsel to borrowers, banks, and non-bank lenders in transactions to finance acquisitions, restructurings, and day-to-day working capital from origination to workouts.

Prior to Law School, Michael spent several years working in the logistics industry. Michael utilizes his business acumen and supply-chain knowledge to inform the services he renders to his clients with efficiency and an eye toward the bottom line.

Away from the Office

Outside of the office, Michael enjoys cooking and watching most major sports. You can usually find him cheering on the Cowboys or the Stars, depending on the time of year. Each summer, he volunteers with his wife at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference in his home state of Mississippi, where he mentors high achieving High School Students in the principles of leadership through service.

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2024)

Education

  • University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2024
    • Student Advocate and Member - Student Body Honor Council
    • Founding Member - Intellectual Property Law Society
    • Member - Business Law Network
  • The University of Mississippi, B.A., 2022, Economics