Michael Foster

Michael Foster

Attorney

Veteran litigator Michael Foster has a well-honed ability to see the big picture and quickly narrow options to the best possible solution. As a former partner at one of the biggest law firms in the country, Michael has successfully represented some of the most noteworthy national clients in their toughest legal battles and recently won the largest jury verdict in United States history for a prisoner secondhand smoking case that led to a statewide ban on prisoner smoking. Michael also obtained the second largest settlement in the state of Missouri in 2010 ($56 million dollars) while an associate at Polsinelli. Michael has argued before state, federal, and appellate courts across the country and has received numerous awards and recognition from bar associations and legal publications for his legal work and for his outstanding character and pro bono commitment to individuals who cannot afford legal services.

An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Michael relishes time in the courtroom and fights on behalf of victims who have experienced adverse situations due to liability, negligence, or wrongdoing. He has been on both sides of the courtroom and knows how the most aggressive defense firms and insurance companies approach and defend cases. This insider’s knowledge enables Michael to craft winning legal strategies for his clients, whether their matters are large or small.

From growing up in a family of attorneys, Michael’s legal intuition comes to him naturally. Michael’s father was an attorney, and six of his aunts and uncles are attorneys or judges who practiced in the area. Michael was born and raised in the Kansas City area and is a former Division 1 college athlete. This collective background has contributed to Michael’s unrelenting drive to compete and win. Michael and his wife spend most of their free time raising their three young children.

Representative Experience

First-chaired a jury trial in a pro bono case in the Western District of Missouri for a two-time convicted felon who alleged that secondhand smoke was harming him. The inmate received the largest known jury verdict for a prisoner secondhand smoking case (Section 1983 claim), and the verdict led to a smoking ban throughout Missouri prisons (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 2017).
Defeated the Federal Trade Commission in their request for receivership and permanent injunction involving an Overland Park, Kansas-based manufacturer of bitcoin mining equipment. The FTC has lost less than 1% of its motions for preliminary injunctions, and the case garnered international publicity (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 2014).
Obtained $56 million dollar settlement in 2010.
Part of a team of attorneys who obtained $60+ million in settlements for natural gas purchasers based on antitrust claims. (U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, 2008-2018).
Obtained millions of dollars in judgments for a Kansas City-based Fortune 500 telecommunications company (2017-2018).
$1,400,000+ settlement in a section 1983 injury claim after three other lawyers rejected the client’s case. (2019).
$1,100,000 settlement for car wreck in Kansas City, Missouri (2021)
$1,000,000 settlement for wrongful death (2022).
$7,250,000 settlement for trucking wrongful death when defendant not even listed on Highway Patrol report after investigation (2024).
$200,000 settlement for two individuals involved in a motorcycle wreck in Overland Park, Kansas (2018).
$305,000 settlement for injury victim in Kansas City, Missouri.
$280,000 settlement in Overland Park car wreck case.
$130,000 policy limits settlement for an individual injured while she was getting out of her car (2020)
$1,000,000 for car wreck in Belton, Missouri (2021).
$725,000+ for discrimination case (2021).
$165,000 for Johnson County car wreck (2020).
$250,000 for Cass County car wreck (2024).
$250,000 for Jackson County car wreck (2024).
$120,000 settlement for Kansas City car wreck (2021).
Obtained millions of dollars for other car wreck cases throughout Missouri in 2020 and 2021.
Numerous $100,000 policy limits car wreck and dog bite settlements.
$725,000 car wreck settlement (2023).
$325,000 car wreck settlement (2023).
$500,000 dog bite settlement (2022).
Represented a local NFL Football Team on litigation matters and assisted them through mediations (2015-2018).

Recognition

In 2018, along with a former Polsinelli colleague, Michael received the Legal Champion Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly for successful representation of an inmate over health concerns where the verdict led all Missouri prisons to go smoke-free.
Michael received the Pro Bono Publico Award in 2018 from the Missouri Bar Association at its annual meeting for Outstanding Pro Bono Service and Professional Character.
In 2011, while an associate at Polsinelli, Michael was awarded Largest Plaintiff Wins from Missouri Lawyers Weekly for scoring the second largest settlement in Missouri worth $56 million dollars.
From 2019-2022, Michael received a the Super Lawyers, Rising Stars distinction. This distinction is given to less than 2.5% of attorneys.
From 2022 to the present day, Michael has been named a Super Lawyer in Personal Injury Litigation.
In 2019, Michael received the distinction of The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100.
In 2024, Michael was awarded the Robert C. Welch Pro Bono award for demonstrating exemplary commitment to the delivery of pro bono legal services in the Kansas City area from the Legal Aid of Western Missouri.

Professional Engagement

Presented Continuing Legal Education Seminar to Attorneys with Legal Aid of Western Missouri on Opening Statements and Closing Arguments in 2024.
Presented Continuing Legal Education Seminar for United States Western District of Missouri Annual CLE in 2018 on Civil Trial Technology.
Presented Continuing Legal Education Seminar for United States District Court – Western District of Missouri on Prisoner litigation.
Working with Judge Richard Posner on the Posner Center of Justice for Pro Se’s, nationwide pro bono legal-services organization for assisting pro se litigants.
2016 graduate of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers’ Trial Academy, an immersive litigation preparation program led by experienced trial attorneys and judges.
2012 graduate of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association’s Bar Leadership Academy, a seven-month program designed to develop emerging leaders in the Kansas City legal community.

Publications and Presentations

Co-author, Mulitstate Consumer Class Actions, For the Defense, July 2018.
Co-author, Cryptocurrency Class Action Lawsuits: A New Frontier, Polsinelli Class Action Alert, March 2018.
Co-author, Issuers of Tokens: Beware, Class Action Lawsuits Are Coming, Polsinelli Financial Technology and Regulation Alert, February 2018.
Co-author, This Article Will Self-Destruct: Your Employees’ Use Of These ESI-Destroying Apps Could Subject You To Sanctions, Polsinelli Financial and Fiduciary Litigation Alert, June 2014.
Co-author, Red Flags Part III: Director and Officer Liability, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XXX, No. 6, July/August 2011.

Blogs

Foster Wallace team at the BIAKS brain injury run in Kansas City.

Brain Injury 2 min read

Foster Wallace Sponsors BIAKS “Going the Distance for Brain Injury” Walk in Kansas City

The dedicated team at Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, a Kansas City, MO law firm, proudly sponsored the "2026 Going the Distance for Brain Injury"...

Dog Bite 8 min read

What is the Average Settlement for Dog Bite Injury in Kansas City?

Dog bite injuries can lead to ongoing medical bills, permanent scarring, and emotional stress. After an attack, it’s normal for victims to wonder what their...

A damaged car, leaving the driver to wonder whether you can sue someone for damaging your car.

Car Accident 6 min read

When Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

According to Missouri traffic data, 1,057 people were killed in traffic crashes in Missouri in 2022. From heavily traveled roads like I-70 to areas like...

Educator Appreciation with Colonial Gardebs image

Community Involvement 2 min read

Educator Appreciation in Kansas City

Celebrating Kansas City Educators at the Colonial Gardens Flower Festival This August, our team at Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers was proud to take part...

Community Involvement 2 min read

Supporting Kids’ Chance of Missouri at the Annual Golf Tournament

In August, our team at Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers had the honor of sponsoring Hole #9 in the Kids’ Chance of Missouri Annual Golf...

Community Involvement 2 min read

Supporting Brain Injury Awareness in Kansas City

In May, our team at Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers had the privilege of sponsoring the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City...

Personal Injury 9 min read

What Is the Kansas “Move Over” Law?

If you have ever driven a motor vehicle in Kansas, consider how many times you have passed another vehicle that was pulled over on the...

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