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Michael L. Larsen 
Salt Lake City, Utah
phone 801-532-1234
fax 801-536-6111
email mlarsen@parsonsbehle.com
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Michael L. Larsen joined Parsons Behle & Latimer in 1983 and is a shareholder in the Litigation Department. He served as chair of the Litigation Department from 1999 until 2011, and he was vice-chair from 1997 to 1999. During that time, the PB&L litigation team gained recognition as one of the leading practice groups in the west. His practice focuses on complex commercial, intellectual property and information technology litigation. Mr. Larsen has extensive trial experience before state and federal courts, and he has conducted dozens of mediations. Examples of cases tried, arbitrated, negotiated or mediated by Mr. Larsen include:

  • Defending Huish Detergents against claims of patent infringement.
  • Defending USX against ERISA, ADEA and contract claims asserted by 2000 steelworkers.
  • Enforcing Novell's rights in a misappropriation of software trade secrets case.
  • Enforcing Alliant Techsystem's rocket motor patents against an infringer.
  • Defending TenFold Corporation in a dozen complex software cases, a SEC investigation and a securities class action.
  • Defending Eaton Corporation and Cutler-Hammer in product liability actions.
  • Defending Altiris, Inc. against claims of patent infringement involving software programs.
  • Enforcing Altiris, Inc.'s patents against infringers.
  • Enforcing contractual non-compete provisions in favor of Overstock.com.
  • Representing Crysen Refinery in a construction and engineering dispute.
  • Representing clients in False Claims Act cases.
  • Representing Alliant TechSystems in a contract dispute involving Titan IV Rocket Motors.
  • Representing Eaton Corporation in a commercial lease dispute.
  • Enforcing DYNO Nobel's patents against another explosives manufacturer.
  • Representing Novell in a software licensing disputes.
  • Representing Questar Pipeline Co. in construction contract disputes.
  • Acting as national monitoring counsel for Chubb & Sons on numerous major matters across the country.
  • Representing Overstock.com in patent infringement and commercial litigation.
  • Representing Alliant Techsystems in trade secret litigation.
  • Representing Novell in a case against Microsoft for unfair competition.
  • Representing Barrick Gold Corporation against challenges to its Cortez Hills gold mine.
  • Successfully arbitrating a shareholder breach of fiduciary action in Nevada.
  • Obtaining a jury verdict in favor of Eaton Corporation in a breach of contract action venued in Las Vegas.
  • Acting as monitoring counsel for Chubb Atlantic in the Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill disaster and resulting litigation.
  • Representing cities and counties in disputes with the EPA. 
  • Securing large damage awards for victims of catastrophic injuries.
Areas of Practice:
Litigation & Appeals
Intellectual Property Litigation
Trade Secrets Litigation
Commercial Litigation
False Claims Litigation
Products Liability Litigation
Personal Injury Litigation
Arbitration
Mediation
Bar Admissions:
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2009
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2006
U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1995
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1992
U.S. District Court District of Utah, 1983
Utah, 1983
Education:
Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Provo, Utah, 1983
J.D. degree


Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 1980
B.A.
Major:  Business Finance


Published Works:
Fifty State Public Construction Contracting, Utah Section, Co-author with David W. Zimmerman and Elizabeth S. Whitney, 1996


Professionalism, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, Commencement Address, April, 1983


Representative Clients:
Eaton Corporation
Overstock.com
Alliant Techsystems
Novell, Inc.
Chubb & Sons, Inc.
Barrick Gold Corporation
Classes/Seminars Taught:
"Litigation Minefields," Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2005 Annual International Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 2005


"Litigation: A Slightly Better Alternative to Armed Conflict," University of Utah Executive MBA Program, 2003 - 2006


"Anatomy of the Failed Information Technology Case", May, 2003


"Navigating a Course through Failed Information Technology Projects", April 2, 2002, Warren, New Jersey


"Protecting Your Investment in Intellectual Property," Financing Your Emerging Business: Venture Capital and Bank Financing Seminar, 1998


"Depositions: What Comes After 'Please State Your Name for the Record'?," Utah State Bar, Young Lawyers Section, 1996


Honors and Awards:
Best Lawyers in America


Utah Legal Elite


Order of the Barristers


International Academy of Trial Lawyers Advocacy Award


Mountain States Super Lawyers


Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers For Business


Professional Associations and Memberships:
American Inns of Court, 1988 - 1996


CHOICE Humanitarian


Utah State Bar Association: Litigation Section;
Tort and Insurance Law Section


American Bar Association: Litigation Section