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Lawyer Profile

Image of Michael V. Abcarian

Michael V. Abcarian

Share:
Fisher Phillips LLP
  • Recognized Since:
    2013
  • Recognized in:
    Employment Law - Management
    Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Law School:
    Boston College
  • Lawyer Page:
    https://www.fisherphillips.com...
  • Website:
    https://www.fisherphillips.com
  • E-mail:
    mabcarian@fisherphillips.com
  • Location:
    500 North Akard Street, Suite 3550
    Dallas, TX 75201
  • LinkedIn
"Michael Abcarian is our attorney for labor matters. He is very knowledgeable of the law related to labor and employment, and he is very strategic in his practice. I highly recommend him for matters related to labor and employment."
"Michael Abcarian with the law firm of Fisher & Phillips has an intelligent and practical command of federal and state employment law and the issues that surround the havoc that humanity can create for itself. I've also found him insightful at predicting outcomes and providing guidance that is beneficial to all concerned."

-Todd Tubbs (Inovar Packaging Group)

Read More Client Comments
  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Firm Details
  • News & Media
  • Case History

Lawyer Bio

 

Michael Abcarian is the managing partner of the Dallas office of Fisher Phillips. In addition to national recognition as an elite labor lawyer, Michael is an exceptional defense trial lawyer with a track record to prove it. Michael represents employers in many complex lawsuits, some with “bet the company” and/or precedent-setting implications. These have included class actions and multiple-plaintiff cases. He often surprises clients with early, knock-out wins even when lengthy trial proceedings were expected in hard-to-win matters.

But the courthouse is not the ultimate destination for most of Michael’s clients, and he works diligently to keep them away from that venue whenever possible. With excellent negotiation skills, he frequently resolves disputes before they turn into expensive lawsuits. Michael is recognized for deep expertise in complex workplace safety matters before OSHA, some involving fatalities and legal issues with precedent-setting implications. He is also a seasoned practitioner in labor/management relations, with decades of experience in NLRB elections, unfair labor practice proceedings, union decertification proceedings, as well as labor contract negotiations and arbitration of union grievances.

Michael is well-known for guiding employers through complex FLSA scenarios and disputes, as well as ERISA litigation. Over time, Mike has developed significant credibility and the respect of law enforcement agencies like OSHA, USDOL, EEOC and the NLRB. He has accomplished this through not only meticulous knowledge of applicable law, but also by understanding the perspectives of law enforcement officials. This allows Michael to develop creative strategies that bring employers and enforcement agencies together for “win-win” solutions.

Michael is frequently praised by firm clients for achieving their goals by “seeing the big picture.” He works diligently to understand the end game in every situation he handles. Throughout his career, Michael has been a sought-after speaker and prolific author. He is highly respected by peers and colleagues as a mentor in the field. Michael has for decades received the coveted “AV” Peer-Rating by Martindale-Hubbell for preeminent legal skill and ethics, and has been listed in Texas Super Lawyers in every year since 2005. Michael has also been listed in Best Lawyers in America in every year since 2013, and in Chambers USA in every year since 2016.

Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Bar Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List
  • Clerkships
  • Additional Information

Education:

  • Boston College , J.D., graduated 1977
  • University of California Berkeley, AB, graduated 1974

Bar Admissions:

  • Florida, The Florida Bar
  • Georgia, State Bar of Georgia
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas

Affiliations:

  • Business Counsel for the Arts - Director and Executive Secretary
  • College of the State Bar of Texas - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Employment Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment

Federal Clerkships:

  • United States District Court
  • United States Supreme Court
 

State Clerkships:

  • Texas - Court of Appeals
  • Georgia - Court of Appeals
  • Texas - Court of Appeals
  • Georgia - Court of Appeals
  • Georgia - Supreme Court
  • Texas - Supreme Court
  • Florida - Supreme Court
  • Georgia - Supreme Court
  • Texas - Supreme Court
  • Florida - Supreme Court

Areas of Expertise:

  • Management
 

Additional Information:

Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Board Certified since 1983
 

Attorney Client Comments

"Michael Abcarian is our attorney for labor matters. He is very knowledgeable of the law related to labor and employment, and he is very strategic in his practice. I highly recommend him for matters related to labor and employment."

"Michael Abcarian with the law firm of Fisher & Phillips has an intelligent and practical command of federal and state employment law and the issues that surround the havoc that humanity can create for itself. I've also found him insightful at predicting outcomes and providing guidance that is beneficial to all concerned."

Todd Tubbs, Inovar Packaging Group

"Michael Abcarian's labor law expertise has been used by our corporation for a number of years. Mr. Abcarian is extremely accessible and responsive to our requests for advice and has produced a high percentage of favorable outcomes on our behalf."

Glenda Roberts, The Telesis Company, Dallas

"Michael is thoughtful, accessible, and prompt. He writes so well that he says exactly what you wanted to say, but did not know how to phrase it. His presentations to regulatory agencies focus on and clarify the critical issues, and have always resulted in the best possible outcomes for our firm."

John Neill, The Telesis Company

Firm Details

Image for Fisher Phillips LLP View Firm Profile
Fisher Phillips LLP
https://www.fisherphillips.com
 
Headquarters
1075 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 3500
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 231.1400
33 Office Locations
in 1 Country

United States

United States

Arizona

Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

3200 North Central Avenue, Suite 805

Phoenix, AZ 85012

United States

(602) 281.3400

Get Directions

California

California

Irvine, CA

2050 Main Street, Suite 1000

Irvine, CA 92614

United States

(949) 851.2424

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Los Angeles, CA

444 South Flower Street, Suite 1500

Los Angeles, CA 90071

United States

(213) 330.4500

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Sacramento, CA

621 Capitol Mall, Suite 1400

Sacramento, CA 95814

United States

(916) 210.0400

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San Diego, CA

4747 Executive Drive, Suite 1000

San Diego, CA 92121

United States

(858) 597.9600

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San Francisco, CA

One Embarcadero Center, Suite 2050

San Francisco, CA 94111-3712

United States

(415) 490.9000

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Colorado

Colorado

Denver, CO

1801 California Street, Suite 2700

Denver, CO 80202

United States

(303) 218.3650

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Florida

Florida

Fort Lauderdale, FL

450 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 800

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

United States

(954) 525.4800

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Orlando, FL

200 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1100

Orlando, FL 32801

United States

(407) 541.0888

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Tampa, FL

101 East Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 2350

Tampa, FL 33602

United States

(813) 769.7500

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Illinois

Illinois

Chicago, IL

10 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3450

Chicago, IL 60606

United States

(312) 346.8061

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Kentucky

Kentucky

Louisville, KY

220 West Main Street, Suite 1700

Louisville, KY 40202

United States

(502) 561.3990

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Louisiana

Louisiana

New Orleans, LA

201 Saint Charles Avenue, Suite 3710

New Orleans, LA 70170

United States

(504) 522.3303

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Maryland

Maryland

Westminster, MD

79 East Main Street, Suite 207

Westminster, MD 21157

United States

(410) 857.1399

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts

Boston, MA

200 State Street, Seventh Floor

Boston, MA 02109

United States

(617) 722.0044

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Mississippi

Mississippi

Gulfport, MS

2505 Fourteenth Street, Suite 300

Gulfport, MS 39501

United States

(228) 822.1440

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Missouri

Missouri

Kansas City, MO

4900 Main Street, Suite 650

Kansas City, MO 64112

United States

(816) 842.8770

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Nevada

Nevada

Las Vegas, NV

300 South Fourth Street, Suite 1500

Las Vegas, NV 89101

United States

(702) 252.3131

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New Jersey

New Jersey

Murray Hill, NJ

430 Mountain Avenue, Suite 303

Murray Hill, NJ 07974

United States

(908) 516.1050

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New York

New York

New York, NY

620 Eighth Avenue, Suite 3650

New York, NY 10018

United States

(212) 956.0897

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North Carolina

North Carolina

Charlotte, NC

227 West Trade Street, Suite 2020

Charlotte, NC 28202

United States

(704) 334.4565

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Ohio

Ohio

Cleveland, OH

9150 South Hills Boulevard, Suite 300

Cleveland, OH 44147

United States

(440) 838.8800

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Columbus, OH

250 West Street, Suite 400

Columbus, OH 43215

United States

(614) 221.1425

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Oregon

Oregon

Portland, OR

111 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Suite 4040

Portland, OR 97204

United States

(503) 242.4262

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Radnor, PA

150 North Radnor Chester Road, Suite C300

Radnor, PA 19087

United States

(610) 230.2150

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South Carolina

South Carolina

Columbia, SC

1320 Main Street, Suite 750

Columbia, SC 29201

United States

(803) 255.0000

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Tennessee

Tennessee

Memphis, TN

Renaissance Center, Suite 312

1715 Aaron Brenner Drive

Memphis, TN 38120

United States

(901) 526.0431

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Texas

Texas

Dallas, TX

500 North Akard Street, Suite 3550

Dallas, TX 75201

United States

(214) 220.9100

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Houston, TX

910 Louisiana Street, Suite 4000

Houston, TX 77002

United States

(713) 292.0150

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San Antonio, TX

300 Convent Street, Suite 1420

San Antonio, TX 78205

United States

(210) 227.5434

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Virginia

Virginia

Arlington, VA

2011 Crystal Drive Suite 400

Arlington, VA 22202

United States

(703) 682.7096

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Washington

Washington

Seattle, WA

1201 Third Avenue, Suite 2750

Seattle, WA 98101

United States

(206) 682.2308

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News & Media

Related Articles

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OSHA Plans To Comb The Construction Industry

Is The EEOC Messing With Texas?

Whose Data Is It, Anyway? BYOD Policies at Work

Changes To DOL Persuader Regs: Practical Considerations

Create a Medal-Worthy Workplace During the Olympic Games

Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Flexible Work Arrangements

Tips For Improving Construction Workplace Safety And Avoiding OSHA Problems

Expert Q&A on E-cigarettes: Current Developments for Employers

The Uncertain Future Of E-Cigarettes In The Workplace

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Browse all articles

Featured Publications

Cover for our Spring Business Edition publication
Cover for our Summer Business Edition publication
Cover for our Winter Business Edition publication

Attorney Case History

Lazer Spot, Inc. V. Hiring Partners, Inc.

387 S.W.3d 40 (Tex. App.--Texarkana, 2012)

Valcho v. Dallas County Hospital District

658 F.Supp2d 802 (N.D. Tex. 2009)

Valcho v. Dallas County Hospital District

574 F.Supp2d 618 (N.D. Tex. 2008)

Hirst v. Southeast Airlines

25 IER Cas. 1221 (U.S. Dept. of Labor, 2007)

Farone v. Bag'n Baggage

165 S.W.3d 795 (Tex. App. 2005)

Ray v. Glidden Co.,

85 F.3d 227 (5th Cir. 1996)

Swearingen v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.

968 F.2d 559 (5th Cir. 1992)
 
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