How do I help businesses secure the most optimal outcomes possible in their disputes?

I help businesses resolve complex disputes by combining thorough legal analysis with practical business judgment. Whether I’m handling a real estate title dispute, a construction matter or a commercial lawsuit, I make it a priority to understand my clients’ business, anticipate their questions, and provide clear, timely guidance that helps them make informed decisions. While I’m always prepared to advocate aggressively when litigation becomes necessary, I also believe the best outcome often comes from finding a practical business solution before a dispute reaches the courtroom.

Crafting and applying strategies around complex real estate disputes

Michael Pacewicz concentrates much of his practice on real estate litigation and title defense, representing clients in matters involving commercial property, ownership disputes and complex title issues. He enjoys the historical nature of this work, frequently tracing property records, legal precedent and land ownership issues spanning decades to develop persuasive legal strategies. His experience also includes matters involving former and current tribal lands, requiring a deep understanding of Oklahoma’s evolving legal landscape.

Representing businesses across commercial litigation

Drawing on decades of litigation experience—as well as his previous service as adjunct settlement judge at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma—Michael represents businesses in commercial disputes involving construction, creditors’ rights, banking, railroad matters, personal injury defense, labor and employment issues and general business litigation. He approaches every case by first learning how a client’s business operates. This helps him develop litigation strategies that align with broader business objectives rather than viewing every dispute through a purely legal lens.

Communicating with clarity and purpose

Before beginning his legal career, Michael worked as a journalist, an experience that continues to influence his advocacy today. He believes effective legal writing should simplify complex issues rather than complicate them, helping clients, judges and opposing counsel quickly understand the facts, legal arguments and practical implications of a case. Combined with thorough preparation and careful research, that writing ability enables him to build persuasive narratives both in written submissions and in the courtroom.

Delivering responsive, efficient representation

Clients value Michael’s responsiveness, efficiency and pragmatic approach to problem-solving. He works proactively to keep clients informed, anticipates issues before they arise, and avoids unnecessary legal work that increases costs without adding value. Whether negotiating a favorable resolution or presenting a case at trial, he remains focused on achieving pragmatic, cost-effective outcomes that protect his clients’ long-term business interests.

Credentials

  • University of Tulsa College of Law, J.D., With Highest Honors, 2000
    • West Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
    • OBA Business Section Award for Basic Corporate Law
    • Oklahoma Bar Foundation Chapman-Rogers Scholarship
  • Northeastern State University, B.A., cum laude, 1995
    • Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association Awards
    • OIPA-Highest honors among scholastic newspapers (Editor of Student Paper)

  • Oklahoma
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Osage Nation Courts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Northern District Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Western District Oklahoma
  • U.S. Supreme Court

  • American Bar Association
  • Oklahoma Bar Association
  • Tulsa County Bar Association
  • Osage Nation Bar Association
  • Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Society for Human Resource Management

Honors & Awards

  • University of Tulsa College of Law Board of Advocates Judge of the Year (2014 - 2015)
  • Tulsa County Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Service Award (2016)
  • Best Lawyers, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Bankruptcy (2011 - Present)
  • Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year (Tulsa) in Litigation - Bankruptcy (2022, 2026)
  • Oklahoma Super Lawyers in Business Litigation (2019 - 2022, 2024)
  • America's Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators (2021)

Publications & Media

  • Speaker, “FMLA Leave Essentials: What it says, interactions with ADA and state workers’ compensation laws; USERRA, and key leave, accommodation and disability issues,” and “ADA-from Accommodation to Discrimination,” National Business Institute Oklahoma Employment Law Course, December 11, 2018, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Speaker, “Employee Evaluations: The Chore Everyone Loves to Hate,” Winter Employment Law Wrap-up, December 10, 2018, Hugo, OK
  • Speaker, “Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace: Marijuana and Other Considerations,” and “Employee Relations: Legal Solutions for Sensitive Workplace Issues,” National Business Institute Human Resource Law Boot Camp, November 14, 2018, Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “Medical Marijuana: New Coverage Option,” Oklahoma City Association of Health Underwriters Meeting, November 8, 2018, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Speaker, “Medical Marijuana: An Employer’s Primer,” Southern Workforce Board Meeting, October 24, 2018, Durant, OK
  • Speaker, “Medical Marijuana: What it Means for Your Company,” Southeastern Oklahoma HR Professionals Meeting, October 18, 2018, Durant, OK
  • Speaker, “Medical Marijuana: An Employer’s Primer,” Muskogee Area Human Resources Association Employment Law Seminar, October 2, 2018, Muskogee, OK
  • Speaker, “Medical Marijuana: New Coverage Option,” Tulsa Association of Health Underwriters, September 20, 2018, Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “Party Foul…Investigating Harassment Accusations in the #MeToo Era,” Crowe & Dunlevy Labor & Employment Seminar, Sept. 17 and 25, 2018, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “Medical Marijuana: An Employer’s Primer,” Ponca City Society for Human Resource Management Meeting , September 11, 2018, Ponca City, OK
  • Speaker, “Medical Marijuana: An Employer’s Primer,” McAlester Employers Council Meeting, June 12, 2018, McAlester, OK
  • Speaker, “Sexual Harassment Prevention in the Workplace,” Ponca City Society for Human Resource Management Meeting , March 14, 2018, Ponca City, OK
  • Speaker, “Employment Law 2018: A Look Ahead,” Enid Society for Human Resource Management Chapter Meeting, February 15, 2018, Enid, OK
  • Speaker, “Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now,” National Business Institute Seminar, December 6, 2017, Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “Hot Topics in Employment Law: What’s Happening So Far in 2017,” Crowe & Dunlevy Hugo Seminar, September 15, 2017, Hugo, OK
  • Speaker, “Employee Evaluations: The Chore Everyone Loves to Hate,” McAlester Employer Council, September 12, 2017, McAlester, OK
  • Speaker, “HR Survival: The Latest Legal Developments,” Crowe & Dunlevy, November 18, 2016, Hugo, OK
  • Speaker, “Navigating FMLA, ADA & Workers’ Compensation Leaves,” Tulsa Area Human Resources Association, November 3, 2016, Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “FMLA Essentials,” Annual Muskogee Area SHRM Law Seminar, October 14, 2016, Muskogee, OK
  • Speaker, ”Employment Law: 2016 Comprehensive Guide,” National Business Institute Seminar, September 21, 2016, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Speaker, Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce Lunch and Learn, September 22, 2016, Okmulgee, OK
  • Speaker, Arbuckle Area SHRM Monthly Meeting, July, 21, 2016, Ardmore, OK
  • Speaker, “Retaliation-Employment Law’s 800-Pound Gorilla,” Southeast Oklahoma Labor & Employment Roadshow, April 12, 2016, Tishomingo, OK
  • Speaker, “You’re in the Hot Seat—How to Give a Deposition That Won’t Sink Your Case,” 2016 Oklahoma Human Resources State Conference and Expo, April 2016, Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “Hiring and Firing” and “LGBT Discrimination in the Workplace,” Hugo Labor & Employment Seminar, July 16, 2015, Hugo, OK
  • Speaker, “Essential HR Strategies for Controlling Unemployment Insurance Costs,” National Business Institute Seminar, June 10, 2015, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Speaker, “Dangerous Intersection: The FMLA Meets the ADAAA,” Southeast Oklahoma Labor & Employment Roadshow, May 14, 2015, Tishomingo, OK
  • Speaker, “Unemployment Insurance Law Changes,” Oklahoma Bar Association Webinar, March 25, 2015
  • Speaker, “Family and Medical Leave Act,” Ponca City Area SHRM Monthly Meeting, January 14, 2015, Ponca City, OK
  • Speaker, “FMLA Best Practices,” McAlester Labor & Employment Seminar, October 21, 2014, McAlester, OK
  • Speaker, “Wage and Hour Mistakes: You Get No “Mulligans” Under the FLSA,” 2014 Crowe & Dunlevy Labor & Employment Seminar, September 30, 2014, Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “Drilling a Dry Hole: How to Effectively Deal With Unproductive and Problematic Employees,” 2014 Oklahoma HR State Conference & Expo, May 9, 2014, Tulsa, OK
  • Speaker, “FMLA Best Practices: Where the Rubber Meets the Road,” The Road Map to Employment Law Issues, April 17, 2014, Tishomingo, OK
  • Speaker, “State and Local Government Law: A Look at Hot Topics and Current Issues,” National Business Institute Seminar, March 22, 2012, Oklahoma City, OK

Community Service

  • Tulsa Chamber of Commerce OneVoice Labor & HR Task Force, Chairman
  • The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • The Simon Estes Educational Foundation
  • Northeastern State University Alumni Association, Board of Directors
  • Tulsa County Court Assistance Project

Professional Experience

  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Oklahoma, Clerk to The Honorable Terrence L. Michael
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Adjunct Settlement Judge