Member Bio
Mike Jones always knew he wanted to be a lawyer, and he began working for Martin Pringle as a runner the day he graduated from high school. He continued with the firm as a summer clerk while a law student at the University of Texas. Since graduating from law school in 1990, Mike has developed a thriving litigation practice, focusing on aviation law, products liability, and complex commercial litigation. Mike is active in DRI (formerly the Defense Research Institute) and the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel (KADC). Mike sometimes jokes that when he was a baby, his parents left him in a basket at Martin Pringle’s door. Thankfully, his true history does not involve parental neglect or abusive child labor practices, but a lawyer of singular focus and dedication to his profession.
Aviation Law
Mike represents Martin Pringle's aviation clients, including Beechcraft Corporation and its predecessors, in products liability actions and a variety of commercial litigation matters in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With a comprehensive understanding of aircraft systems and the court system, Mike successfully represents aviation businesses based both on the merits of the claims and on the statutory and procedural defenses available in a given case. Mike is particularly well-versed in the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) and has written articles and given presentations on that act. He also represents aviation clients on contractual matters, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Martin Pringle's aviation manufacturing clients call upon Mike’s broad-based aviation experience to help resolve day-to-day legal issues.
Products Liability
Mike is highly experienced in defending products liability actions, having participated in cases filed in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He represents aircraft manufacturers and servicers, aircraft-components manufacturers, manufacturers of recreational products, and industrial equipment manufacturers in cases involving personal injury and wrongful death claims, as well as property damage claims. Mike has served as the 2010 Program Chair for DRI's national Product Liability Conference.
Commercial Litigation
Mike represents clients in a variety of commercial litigation matters. His experience includes contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty actions, non-competition and trade secrets employment litigation, construction and real estate disputes, and intellectual property litigation. He has prosecuted and defended claims for injunctive and other equitable relief, and is experienced in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Mike has served as an arbitrator and mediator in complex commercial and injury cases.
Technology and Computers
Mike has extensive experience and a keen interest in computer and technology-related litigation, including intellectual property matters and system development disputes involving software, hardware and integrated systems. Being tech-savvy is key to many kinds of commercial and product cases, particularly when the subject matter in dispute involves technology, as it does more and more all the time. It is also important for managing the many technologies involved in efficient handling of litigation, including electronic data and discovery.
Education
University of Texas at Austin, J.D., with honors, 1990
Wichita State University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1986
Bar Admissions
Oklahoma, 1999
Colorado, 1991
Kansas, 1990
Professional Affiliations
DRI, Issues and Advocacy Committee for the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy, 2014
DRI, Product Liability Committee Web Conference Chair, 2012 - Present
DRI, Product Liability Committee Industry Groups Liason, 2011
DRI, Product Liability 2010 Program Chair and Product Liability Committee Member
DRI, Product Liability Committee's Aviation Substantive Law Group
Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, Board of Directors
Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, President-elect, 2014
Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, Secretary, 2012
Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, DRI State Representative, 2010 - 2011
American Bonanza Society, Member
Wichita Aero Club, Member
Wichita Bar Association, Board of Governors, 2009 - 2011
Wichita Bar Association, Technology Committee, Founding Chair
Wichita Bar Association, Civil Practice Committee, Former Chair
American, Kansas, and Wichita Bar Associations, Member
Civic/Social Involvement
Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer
Wichita State University Alumni Association, Member
Awards and Recognition
Best Lawyers in America, 2012, 2013, 2014
The International Who's Who of Product Liability Defense Lawyers, 2011, 2012
Wichita Bar Association President's Award, 2003
Published Articles/Presentations
Defense Research Institute, Punitive Damages: A State by State Compendium, 2009, Co-Author
The Joint Defense Doctrine - Cohesion Among Traditional Adversaries, Evidentiary Privileges for Corporate Counsel, 2008, Co-Author
William L. Oliver, Jr. and Michael G. Jones, "Repose Statute Helps Revitalize an American Industry; The General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 (GARA)," The Aviation Quarterly [1996-97], 209-272, Part 4, April 1997.