Contact
Michael D. Carter
Of Counsel
Oklahoma City
405.235.4100 Main
405.606.4715 Direct
405.235.4133 Fax
BIOGRAPHY
Michael D. Carter is a member of the Firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group and Chair of the Toxic Torts Practice Group. He represents both privately-held and public companies in a wide range of employment, environmental and litigation matters, with a strong emphasis on toxic tort defense. Michael has many years of experience in the field of workers' compensation and has served as both a member and chair of the Oklahoma Advisory Council of Workers' Compensation.
Michael has defended multi-party asbestos, respirable dust, silica and benzene exposure cases in multiple jurisdictions across the United States, including state courts, federal district courts and federal multi-district litigation. His clients in toxic tort litigation have included equipment manufacturers, distributors, contractors, premises owners, manufacturers of talc and joint compound, manufacturers of fire brick, felt, gaskets and kiln-entry suits, manufacturers of motor oil, grease, fuel and lubricants, and manufacturers of welding rods and brazing rods.
In addition, Michael represents management in all areas of the employment relationship, including representation before the EEOC and other federal and state regulatory agencies, mediation and arbitration and litigation in federal and state courts. He also counsels clients in employment matters, including development of employment policies, absence-management, employer immigration compliance, employment contracts, employee handbooks and issues involving professional employer organizations and human resources outsourcing.
Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and raised in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Michael resides in Norman, Oklahoma.
EDUCATION
- University of Oklahoma (B.A., 1979)
- University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 1982)
ADMISSIONS
- 1982, Oklahoma
- 1982, U.S. District Court, Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma
- 1988, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- 1991, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- 1994, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Oklahoma Bar Association
- Oklahoma County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel (President, 2017; Director,1998-2001; 2010-2012; Legislative Director, 2012-2014)
- Defense Research Institute (State Membership Chair, 2017-2018; State Representative, 2018-present)
- Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
- Oklahoma Advisory Council on Workers’ Compensation (Member, 2007-present; Chair, 2011-present)
- Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (Board Member, 1999-2001)
- Luther Bohanon American Inn of Court XXIII (President, 2016-17; Master)
- Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Guaranty Fund (Board Member, 2012-2018)
EXPERIENCE
- Represented Georgia Talc Company as co-national counsel during National Tire Workers’ Litigation
- Defended, coordinated and directed the defense of asbestos cases involving over 2,000 plaintiffs in Oklahoma, Ohio, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Texas
- CRST Van Expedited, Inc. v. J.B. Hunt: 2006 WL 335765 (Oklahoma counsel for CRST in case involving intentional interference with employment contracts)
- Hider v. Valero Energy: Obtained unusual dismissal of race discrimination case for Valero in arbitration before JAMS
- Jackson v. Anchor Packing Co., 994 F.2d 1295 (8th Cir. 1993), (summary judgment for Georgia Talc affirmed)
EXPERTISE
- Represents product manufacturers, distributors, contractors and premises owners in asbestos exposure/mesothelioma litigation
- Represents companies in environmental cleanup/hazard matters
- Represents product manufacturers in silica/silicosis litigation
- Represents product manufacturers in benzene exposure/AML litigation
- Represents employers before the EEOC, and represents of employers in litigation brought by EEOC
- Represents employers in litigation and arbitration of matters involving breach of employment contracts, wrongful termination, non-compete agreements ADA, and race, sex and age discrimination
- Represents employers in litigation and arbitration of matters involving breach of employment contracts, wrongful termination, non-compete agreements ADA, and race, sex and age discrimination
- Represents employers in workers’ compensation matters
RECOGNITION
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™
- Best Lawyers®: Lawyer of the Year in OKC - Insurance Law (2021)
- Best Lawyers®: Lawyer of the Year in OKC - Workers' Compensation Law - Employers (2017, 2020)
- Best Lawyers®: Insurance Law (2021)
- Best Lawyers®: Labor Law – Management (2019-present)
- Best Lawyers®: Litigation – Labor and Employment (2020-present)
- Best Lawyers®: Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers (2012-present)
- Phillips Murrah announces 61 attorneys named to 2021 Best Lawyers lists
- Phillips Murrah announces 48 attorneys named to 2020 Best Lawyers list
- Phillips Murrah announces 44 attorneys named to 2019 Best Lawyers list
- Phillips Murrah announces 37 attorneys named to 2018 Best Lawyers list
- Firm hosts welcoming party for incoming summer law clerks
- Firm sponsors panel exploring civility between opposing counsel
- Phillips Murrah announces 35 attorneys named to 2017 Best Lawyers list
- Phillips Murrah announces 35 attorneys named to 2016 Best Lawyers list
- 29 Attorneys Selected for 2014 Edition of Best Lawyers