Mike O’Donnell has extensive first chair jury trial experience in cases involving hundreds of millions of dollars of claimed damages. He has also taken the lead in a broad array of evidentiary hearings, including hearings to address class certification, the admissibility of expert testimony, injunctive relief, invalidation of liens and lis pendens, election contests and the validation of public securities. This courtroom experience is essential to his early, comprehensive evaluation of cases leading to successful early dispositive motion strategies, settlement of high-stakes claims and resolution of entangled business divorces without a lawsuit ever being filed. 

Mike's practice is nationally recognized. Chamber USA ranks Mike in Band 1 for Commercial Litigation in San Antonio and the surrounding area. Mike is included in the Lawdragon 500 – Leading Litigators in America. Mike has been named a Litigation Trailblazer by the National Law Journal, recognizing trial attorneys that "have shown a deep passion and perseverance in pursuit of their mission, having achieved remarkable successes along the way," and a BTI Client Service All-Star, recognizing 100 litigators in the United States as the most client-driven in their field based upon a national survey of corporate counsel by the BTI Consulting Group. 

Mike has been recognized nationally as Best Lawyer in Arbitration based upon his extensive experience as an advocate. Mike is also a member of the American Arbitration Association panel of commercial arbitrators. 

    • JD, with honors, The University of Texas School of Law, 1997 

    • BA, Wesleyan University, 1994 


    While in law school, Mike was a member of the Order of the Coif and Phi Kappa Phi. Mike was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1997, and has since been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Eight Circuit and Tenth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Western and Southern Districts of Texas and the District of Colorado. 

    • Texas State Bar

    • United States District Court for the Western and Southern Districts of Texas 

    • United States Court of Appeals: Fifth, Seventh and Tenth Circuits 

    • Supreme Court of the United States 

    • Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2024 - 2026 

    • Legal 500 US, Dispute Resolution - General Commercial Disputes, The Legal 500, 2025 

    • Top Attorneys – Civil Law Litigation, San Antonio Magazine, 2022 

    • Chambers USA, Texas: San Antonio and Surrounds, Litigation: General Commercial, Chambers and Partners, 2021 – 2025 

    • The Best Lawyers in America, Arbitration, Best Lawyers, 2022 – 2026 

    • The Best Lawyers in America, Energy Regulatory Law, Best Lawyers, 2023 – 2026 

    • The Best Lawyers in America, Mediation, Best Lawyers, 2023 – 2026 

    • Litigation Trailblazer, The National Law Journal, 2016 

    • Client Service All-Star, BTI Consulting, 2013 

    • Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, 2013 – 2015 

    • Texas Rising Star, Thomson Reuters, 2007 – 2012 

    • Who's Who in Energy, San Antonio Business Journal, American City Business Journals, 2012 – 2015 

    • Best S.A. Lawyers, business litigation, S.A. Scene, Scene Publications, LLC, 2008 – 2012 

    • Rising Stars: 40 Under 40 – San Antonio, San Antonio Business Journal, American City Business Journals, 2005 

    • The San Antonio Children's Museum, Board Chair (2015); Executive Committee and Director (2010 – present) 

    • American Bar Foundation, Fellow 

    • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow 

    • San Antonio Bar Foundation, Fellow 

    • United States Supreme Court Historical Society 

    • Texas Association of Bank Counsel, Member 

    • Texas Business Hall of Fame, Director (2008 – 2012) 

    • Holy Rosary School, Vice President and Board Member (1999 – 2006) 

    • Mike regularly volunteers to represent underprivileged persons in pro bono family law matters and has accepted federal appointments in civil rights cases. 

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