Michael Gray's practice focuses on representing corporate clients with labor and employment matters, including class action and multiplaintiff employment discrimination lawsuits, state law overtime class actions, FLSA collective actions, and trade secret and restrictive covenant matters. He represents employers throughout the U.S. in bench and jury trials, administrative hearings, arbitrations, and appellate courts in matters arising under federal and state antidiscrimination laws, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the FMLA, ERISA, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, labor management relations laws, and state law wrongful discharge, statutory, contract, and tort claims. Michael also advises clients on preventive measures, including reviewing employment policies, counseling on disciplinary actions and investigations, negotiating severance and release agreements for executive terminations, and conducting employment practices reviews.

Michael brings a creative, business-minded approach to problem-solving and litigation. In recognition by Chambers and Legal 500, clients praised him by stating "he's the guy I want in front of the judge" and "quickly gets down to the nuts and bolts and gets people focused on what's important — his approach is unique and he gets exceptional results."

Michael leads the Labor & Employment Practice in the Chicago Office. He is a frequent speaker for the ABA's Labor and Employment Section, the National Employment Law Institute, and NYU's Center for Labor and Employment Law. He is a member of the advisory board of The Cornell Institute for Hospitality Labor and Employment Relations and chairs the Practising Law Institute's Understanding Employment Law annual program in Chicago. Michael enjoys working with Chicago community organizations and contributes pro bono legal services to Lambs Farm, The Newberry Library, and the Anixter Center.

EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Advocate Health Care Network defends against statewide wage-hour class and collective action

WHM LLC obtains summary judgment on Florida wage-hour class action

Restaurant companies obtain dismissal of purported statewide minimum wage class action by Florida court

HONORS & DISTINCTIONS

Named one of the "Nation's Most Powerful Employment Attorneys" by HR Executive magazine and Lawdragon for the last five years

Recognized as one of 14 Leading Lawyers nationally for employment litigation by The Legal 500 US

Consistently ranked as a top employment lawyer by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, Best Lawyers, and Illinois Super Lawyers

Fellow, The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers

EDUCATION

Northwestern University (J.D. 1992; Editorial Board, Journal of International Law and Business); University of Michigan (B.A. 1989)

BAR ADMISSIONS

Illinois; U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois and the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; and the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Third, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits