--- title: "Michael R. Abrams" description: "Partner Michael Abrams leverages deep experience in Texas state and federal courts, offering clients clarity and resolution in complex legal matters." source_url: "https://www.stonehilton.com/team/michael-abrams" canonical_path: "/team/michael-abrams" content_type: "team-member" --- # Michael R. Abrams Role: Partner Over a decade into his legal career, Michael loves being a lawyer for the same reason that drove him to attend law school in the first place: it provides an unparalleled opportunity to help people solve their most pressing problems. Michael is a native Texan who has handled cases in federal and state courts in every corner of the State, and he brings a deep knowledge of Texas law to each case that he handles. ## Meticulous Preparation & Relentless Advocacy Before he joined Stone Hilton, Michael served for eight years in the Office of the Attorney General of Texas representing the State of Texas in dozens of high-profile, complex cases both at trial and on appeal. As Special Litigation Counsel in the General Litigation Division, he tried six cases and defended the State in over a dozen hearings on motions for injunctive relief in state and federal court. He gained top-flight experience in election law, successfully defending the Texas Secretary of State in fast-moving litigation over the State’s election procedures in the lead-up to the 2020 election. He also obtained invaluable experience representing state universities in contentious employment disputes and defending state agencies against institutional reform class action lawsuits. As an Assistant Solicitor General, Michael assisted in the briefing and sat at counsel table for three arguments in the United States Supreme Court (once as second chair). He also presented ten oral arguments, including six before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and two before the Supreme Court of Texas. His practice at the appellate level involved questions of civil procedure, criminal law, family law, and the First Amendment. He also frequently represented the State in suits under the Clean Air Act to halt federal governmental overreach. Before he began government service, Michael was an associate at a major international law firm in Houston, where he focused on labor and employment law. After he graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Gregg Costa of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. ## Representative Matters ### Ostrewich v. Tatum 5th Cir. No. 21-20557 Briefed and argued appeal successfully defending Texas's statutes prohibiting electioneering in polling places. ### Vote.org v. Paxton 5th Cir. No. 22-50536 Briefed and argued appeal successfully defending Texas's statutes requiring original signature on voter registration forms. ### Amawi v. Paxton 5th Cir. No. 21-50360 Argued appeal resulting in reversal of district court's award of attorney's fees. ### Jiang v. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality W.D. Tex. No. 1:17-CV-739 First-chaired four-day jury trial in employment discrimination and retaliation case, resulting in complete defense verdict. ### Texas v. Brooks-LaSure E.D. Tex. No. 6:23-CV-161 Second-chaired and presented oral argument in support of motion for preliminary injunction to prevent regulatory action that threatened funding for Texas Medicaid program. ### Clark v. Kolkhorst W.D. Tex. No. 1:19-CV-198 First-chaired bench trial successfully defending state senator against novel First Amendment claim. ### Fagin v. Abbott W.D. Tex. No. 5:20-cv-765 Defeated motion for preliminary injunction against candidate challenging ballot access requirements for the 2020 election. ## Outside the Office For many years, Michael has been an active member of the Austin community, mentoring first-year law students as part of the University of Texas School of Law’s 1L mentoring program, assisting law students to prepare for judicial clerkship interviews, and volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. He resides in Austin with his wife, their two sons, and their two dogs. ## Experience ### Assistant Solicitor General Office of the Attorney General of Texas ### Special Litigation Counsel, General Litigation Division Office of the Attorney General of Texas ### Associate Attorney Vault 100 law firm in Houston ### Law Clerk to Judge Gregg Costa U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas & U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ## Education ### J.D., with honors, Order of the Coif; Associate Editor, Texas Law Review; Teaching Quizmaster University of Texas School of Law ### B.A, History, Spanish Emory University ## Admissions - All courts of the State of Texas - U.S. Supreme Court - U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and D.C. Circuits - U.S. District Courts for all districts of Texas ## Memberships - State Bar of Texas - Texas Young Lawyers Association - University of Texas School of Law 2013 Class Committee