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Hilgers Graben Announces Addition of Attorney Mike Merriman and Opening of San Diego Office
Hilgers Graben PLLC is pleased to announce the addition of first-chair trial attorney Mike Merriman to its litigation team as a partner. He is currently based in the firm’s Dallas office but will soon take the lead in opening the firm’s San Diego office in the second quarter. The San Diego office will be the firm’s first California office.
Prior to joining Hilgers Graben, Mike worked at Scott Douglass & McConnico and litigation powerhouse Bartlit Beck LLP. He also clerked for the Honorable Susan Illston at the U.S. District for the Northern District of California. Mike brings extensive experience in the courtroom and a common-sense approach to each matter. His clients know that he is not afraid to go to trial, but that he will make judgement calls and recommendations based on the client’s best interest. He enjoys working on matters across various industries and is adept at getting up to speed quickly on complex topics. He also has experience managing large litigation teams to ensure that the matter is resolved effectively and efficiently. Additionally, Mike represents companies and individuals in white collar matters, including internal investigations. His white collar experience began as an Assistant United States Attorney (“AUSA”) at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California in the Major Frauds and Special Prosecutions Section. Appearing in court on a weekly basis, he prosecuted a wide range of complex matters, including public corruption, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations (related to a Fortune 500 Company), wire fraud and mortgage fraud.
Mike graduated with distinction from Stanford Law School, J.D. and he received his undergraduate degree from Boston University. “I am thrilled join such an up and coming firm like Hilgers Graben. As someone who wants to continue to litigate complex cases for national clients, this is the perfect fit for me. I look forward to being part of such an innovative group with outstanding clients and opportunities. I am also excited to have the opportunity open the firm’s first California office in beautiful San Diego, where I spent several years as an AUSA.”
According to firm founder, Mike Hilgers, “Being able to bring someone with Mike’s trial experience on board is a boon to our litigation practice. Mike is a first-chair trial lawyer who knows how to win courtroom battles. More and more, lawyers like Mike are realizing you do not need to join Big Law to have the opportunity to work on ‘Big Law’ cases. We have that here at Hilgers Graben.”