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    Michael Victorian

    Michael B. Victorian

    Counsel

    Baton Rouge
    225-376-0249
    michael.victorian@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Commercial LitigationMedia, Sports and Entertainment

    When high-stakes disputes are headed for trial, Michael B. Victorian’s courtroom experience and steady presence build strong defenses before judges and juries. A trusted trial resource, he’s at ease stepping into conflicts when negotiations stall to prepare clients for court. His persuasive courtroom presence, clear communication style, and skill in shaping trial themes drive results for clients in state and federal court.

    Michael defends private industry, government and athlete clients in a wide range of disputes involving business operations, professional liability and company leadership. With experience spanning the spectrum of commercial litigation issues, he partners with clients to evaluate their options, offer business counseling, and develop litigation strategies.

    Clients across industries turn to Michael’s trial knowledge to navigate complex proceedings. He regularly represents clients in Louisiana courtrooms on commercial issues, including contract disputes and class-action claims. He also works with municipalities, police departments and other government entities to resolve issues, including section 1983-related actions. His experience in communications and media relations helps him manage the reputational risks, as well as the legal risks, that can come with high-profile trials.

    Michael has emerged as an early leader for sports industry clients as name, image and likeness deals transform college and high school athletics. He helps student-athletes and their families, institutions and agencies navigate recruiting decisions, evaluate third‑party opportunities and negotiate agreements. He also manages NIL‑related disputes, including conflicts involving loan‑based agreements and revenue sharing.

    A recognized voice on Louisiana NIL reform and athlete strategy planning, Michael’s built relationships with athletic departments and regulators across the state. He combines these connections with a focus on athletes’ long-term goals to build deals that protect clients’ rights.

    Committed to shaping future generations, Michael serves as an adjunct professor at Southern University Law Center and as a leader in several legal and community organizations.

    Clients across industries turn to Michael’s trial knowledge to navigate complex proceedings. He regularly represents clients in Louisiana courtrooms on commercial issues, including contract disputes and class-action claims. He also works with municipalities, police departments and other government entities to resolve issues, including section 1983-related actions. His experience in communications and media relations helps him manage the reputational risks, as well as the legal risks, that can come with high-profile trials.

    Michael has emerged as an early leader for sports industry clients as name, image and likeness deals transform college and high school athletics. He helps student-athletes and their families, institutions and agencies navigate recruiting decisions, evaluate third‑party opportunities and negotiate agreements. He also manages NIL‑related disputes, including conflicts involving loan‑based agreements and revenue sharing.

    A recognized voice on Louisiana NIL reform and athlete strategy planning, Michael’s built relationships with athletic departments and regulators across the state. He combines these connections with a focus on athletes’ long-term goals to build deals that protect clients’ rights.

    Committed to shaping future generations, Michael serves as an adjunct professor at Southern University Law Center and as a leader in several legal and community organizations.

    Experience

    Commercial Litigation

    • Second-chaired trial team to win class-action jury verdict that state regulator was not at fault for $400 million in losses from second-largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history.
    • Delivered opening and closing arguments to secure rejection of all claims against major university in highly publicized jury trial over multimillion-dollar sexual harassment and retaliation allegations from former athletic program administrator.
    • Served as go-to legal counsel to help industrial product distributor comply with evolving health and safety guidance and recover outstanding debt through mediation, avoiding the need for litigation.
    • Protected prominent entrepreneur’s bar, restaurant and retail business from hostile takeover by former partner by securing a court order after successful bench trial expelling former partner and preventing further interference.
    • Negotiated favorable settlements, including in federal court, for several municipalities in cases involving law enforcement agencies and section 1983 claims.

    Sports Industry and Name, Image and Likeness

    • Negotiated a near seven-figure NIL revenue-sharing agreement for nation’s No. 1-ranked high school safety with major university and advised client on college recruitment.
    • Guided HBCU football player and Bayou Classic MVP on NIL issues.
    • Negotiated third-party NIL agreement between football equipment startup and student-athlete.
    • Resolved NIL licensor dispute for college basketball player by negotiating favorable agreement to repay loan secured by NIL rights.
    • Structured contract and compensation structure for college football Associate Athletic Director position at mid-major powerhouse.
    • Contributed to the Louisiana Name, Image, and Likeness Task Force in drafting the 2025 Report.

    Insights

    • April 16, 2026

      LSBA Entertainment and Sports Law Section Presents "Safeguarding the Spotlight" CLE Seminar…

    • November 6, 2025

      GNOSF Honors Luncheon …

    More +
    • September 23, 2025

      Guiding High School Athletes Before Louisiana’s NIL Task Force …

    • August 30, 2025

      I CARE Athletic Leadership Summit…

    • August 21, 2025

      More than 200 Phelps Lawyers Recognized in 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers…

    • June 10, 2025

      House v. NCAA Settlement Approved, Changing the Landscape of College Sports…

    • April 29, 2025

      Roster Limits Remain a Sticking Point to Settle Landmark NIL Case Against the NCAA…

    • April 10-11, 2025

      LA SHRM Presents the Louisiana HR Conference and Exhibition 2025…

    • April 9, 2025

      Judge Raises Issues as $2.8B NIL Settlement Talks Move Forward…

    • February 7, 2025

      Grant J. Delpit's Community Day Event 2025…

    • February 5, 2025

      Sharing Your Fraternity’s Traditions and Service With Your Family…

    • January 29, 2025

      Michael B. Victorian Honored for His Service to 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge…

    • January 25, 2025

      100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge Gala 2025…

    • November 18, 2024

      Phelps Highlights Regional Strengths, Strategic Growth With Newest Counsel Class…

    • October 8, 2024

      Preliminary Approval of House Settlement Closer to Remaking College Athletics…

    • September 16, 2024

      Fox 8 Sports Show Features Michael B. Victorian's NIL Insights …

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • July 16, 2024

      Louisiana Expands NIL Opportunities for Colleges and Student-Athletes…

    • May 31, 2024

      GNO, Inc. HBCU Startup Internship: The Nuts and Bolts of Launching a Startup…

    • May 8, 2024

      Federal Jury Rejects Claims Against LSU in High-Profile Title IX Suit…

    • December 19, 2023

      Super Lawyers Recognizes 44 Louisiana Phelps Lawyers in 2024 Honors …

    • November 10, 2023

      Annual New Orleans Labor & Employment Seminar: Changing Seasons in Employment Law…

    • October 27, 2023

      NBA Presents A.I. 2.0 - Updates on Legislation & Litigation…

    • August 28, 2023

      NLRB Continues Pro-Labor Swing by Reinstating 2014-Era Election Rules…

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • July 24, 2023

      Phelps Lawyers Honored on Baton Rouge Business Report’s Capital Region 500 List…

    • July 18, 2023

      Lawyers of Color Honors Michael B. Victorian on 2023 Hot List…

    • June 16, 2023

      FBA Presents The Past is Not Past: Recognizing, Remembering, and Redressing Domestic Terrorism in the United States…

    • April 29, 2023

      NBA Presents Tips for a Succesful Motion Practice …

    • December 27, 2022

      Michael Victorian Named to Lawyers of Color Hot List 2022…

    • December 19, 2022

      42 Phelps Lawyers Honored by 2023 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars …

    • December 2, 2022

      Annual New Orleans Labor & Employment Seminar: Boots on the Ground…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • August 3, 2022

      Don’t Touch My Hair: CROWN Act Protects Natural Hairstyles from Discrimination …

    • July 21, 2022

      LBA Human Resources & Security Conference Presents ESG and How it is Likely to Influence HR in the Future…

    • June 17, 2022

      Phelps Associate Michael B. Victorian Honored by National Bar Association’s 40 Under 40…

    • March 21, 2022

      DOL Offers Examples of Unlawful Retaliation Under FLSA and FMLA …

    • February 15, 2022

      Diversity Spotlight: 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge Invests in the Success of Baton Rouge Youth Through Full-Circle Mentorship and Familywide Support…

    • February 2, 2022

      Pathways & Pipelines to Success…

    • December 29, 2021

      Super Lawyers Recognizes 46 Louisiana Phelps Lawyers in 2022 Honors…

    • August 19, 2021

      More Than Half of Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 12 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 40 Make “Ones to Watch” List…

    • July 13, 2021

      New Executive Order May Have Dramatic Impact on Noncompete Agreements…

    • March 30, 2021

      Phelps Lawyers Chosen for National Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Programs…

    • January 14, 2021

      Phelps Lawyer Joins Leadership Baton Rouge Class of 2021…

    • November 13, 2020

      Phelps Lawyer Michael Victorian Honored by Baton Rouge Business Report's Forty Under 40…

    • August 20, 2020

      127 Phelps Lawyers Selected to Best Lawyers in America, 16 Named "Lawyer of the Year" and 37 Chosen for First Class of "Ones to Watch"…

    • July 22, 2020

      NLRB OKs Emergency COVID-19 Work Rule Changes and Greenlights Employee Property Searches…

    • March 25, 2020

      Alabama and Louisiana Revise Unemployment Compensation Rules in Response to COVID-19 Crisis…

    Recognition

    • Member of the Year Award (2025), 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge
    • Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021-2025), Labor and Employment Law - Management (2022-2025), The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch
    • Commercial Litigation (2026), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2022-2024)
    • Capital Region 500, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (2023)
    • 40 Under 40 Nation's Best Advocates, National Bar Association (2022)
    • Forty Under 40, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (2020)
    • Great Futures Honoree, Boys & Girls Club (2018)
    • Member of the Year Award (2025), 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge
    • Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021-2025), Labor and Employment Law - Management (2022-2025), The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch
    • Commercial Litigation (2026), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2022-2024)
    • Capital Region 500, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (2023)
    • 40 Under 40 Nation's Best Advocates, National Bar Association (2022)
    • Forty Under 40, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (2020)
    • Great Futures Honoree, Boys & Girls Club (2018)

    Education

    • Southern University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
    • Howard University, B.A., Journalism with concentration in Public Relations, cum laude, 2005
    • Southern University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
    • Howard University, B.A., Journalism with concentration in Public Relations, cum laude, 2005

    Credentials

    • Louisiana
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Louisiana
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • The Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit - Board of Directors
    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • Baton Rouge Bar Association
    • National Bar Association
    • Defense Research Institute
    • Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
    • Southeast Louisiana Legal Services - Board of Directors (2021-2024)
    • Southern University Law Center Alumni Association
    • Howard University Alumni Association
    • Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc., Greater Baton Rouge Chapter – Former President
    • 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge - President (2026-2029), President-elect (2023-2026), Secretary (2017-2023)
    • Louisiana Association of Business and Industry - Emerging Leaders Council Alumnus
    • The Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit - Board of Directors
    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • Baton Rouge Bar Association
    • National Bar Association
    • Defense Research Institute
    • Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
    • Southeast Louisiana Legal Services - Board of Directors (2021-2024)
    • Southern University Law Center Alumni Association
    • Howard University Alumni Association
    • Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc., Greater Baton Rouge Chapter – Former President
    • 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge - President (2026-2029), President-elect (2023-2026), Secretary (2017-2023)
    • Louisiana Association of Business and Industry - Emerging Leaders Council Alumnus
    • Overview
    • Experience
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Litigation
    • Labor and Employment
    • Employment Litigation
    • ESG
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Media, Sports and Entertainment
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