Overview
Michael J. Sheehan concentrates his practice on employment litigation with a focus on prosecuting and defending unfair competition litigation involving large scale raiding, inevitable disclosure of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty and noncompete agreements. A nationally recognized litigator, Michael has extensive courtroom experience, having tried dozens of cases to verdict across the United States. He has acted as lead counsel and successfully defended private and public companies against age, gender, race, retaliation, sexual harassment, and trade secret and raiding cases. He has also litigated numerous large scale wage and hour class actions in state and federal court.
On a daily basis, Michael provides strategic counseling to private equity and public company clients, negotiating the on-boarding and exits of CEOs and other C-Suite executives, investigating #MeToo sexual harassment, Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and other whistleblower complaints. Clients state Michael has “a pragmatic and efficient approach and a great understanding of our business and internal needs,” Chambers USA.
Michael is the former global head of McDermott’s Employment Practice Group. Prior to joining McDermott, Michael was global co-chair of the employment group and chair of the US employment group for a leading international law firm.
Recognitions
- Chambers USA, Illinois Labor & Employment, 2012-2020 and 2023-2024
- The Legal 500 US 2020, 2023 and 2024
- American Lawyer Media, Top Lawyers in Illinois
- Super Lawyers Top Rated Employment & Labor Attorney in Chicago, IL, 2005 and 2012-2019
- Chicago Magazine, Top Attorneys in Illinois, 2019
- Benchmark Litigation: Labor & Employment Star, 2020
Community
- College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, fellow
- American Bar Association, member
- New York State Bar Association, member
- Wake Forest University, Law Board of Visitors
Credentials
Education
Wake Forest University School of Law, JD, 1984
Hillsdale College, BA, cum laude, 1981
Admissions
Illinois
New York
Courts / Agencies
Supreme Court of the United States
Illinois Supreme Court
Ohio Supreme Court
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
US District Court for the District of Arizona
US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
US District Court for the Western District of Michigan
