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Mike

D. Michael Reilly

ShareholderERISA, Life, Health & Disability Team Co-Chair

Mike Reilly is a nationally recognized labor, employment and employee benefits attorney, named one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the Nation” by Human Resource Executive®. Peer reviews by Best Lawyers® named Mike the Seattle "Lawyer of the Year" for employment-related litigation in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021. He has decades of experience providing strategic employment advice, and has represented clients in more than 75 jury trials, arbitrations, bench trials, and in claims before the EEOC and Washington State Human Rights Commission.

Small and large employers retain Mike for strategic advice in employment issues and litigation, business decisions and litigation avoidance. Mike advises clients in retail, technology, manufacturing and higher education in claims involving discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, disability accommodation, ERISA and non-ERISA employee benefit claims, and wage/hour claims. Mike also advises directors, boards, and senior executives on the full range of non-profit corporate governance matters that confront non-profit entities and their leadership. He served as lead counsel in an employee raiding/trade secret case as reported in the Wall Street Journal, and defends employers in class action claims.

Mike also conducts independent employment investigations, and training on effective workplace investigations.

Mike advises higher education administrators and non-profit governing boards, and serves as Outside General Counsel for Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.

Chambers® USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business recognizes Mike for his work in labor and employment law, and has described him as “one of Seattle’s top-rate attorneys” who is “truly phenomenal [with] superb legal instincts” and “an amazingly assertive litigator.”

Mike’s remarks on employment issues have been quoted in Newsweek, Corporate Legal Times, Seattle Times, Employee Relations Law Journal, Puget Sound Business Journal, CFO.com, and other professional journals and management publications.

His clients include Microsoft, Seattle Seahawks, Home Depot, HomeStreet Bank, Washington Retail Association, Nordstrom, Albertsons, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Gonzaga University, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Northwest University, CIGNA, and Chelan County Public Utility District among others.

Mike also is actively involved in a variety of charitable causes, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Gonzaga University Board of Trustees.

Experience

McFarland v. Pacific Northwest University
Served as lead counsel and won summary judgment dismissal for the university in this race and gender discrimination, and retaliation employment claim.
Dawson v. Microsoft
King County Superior Court
As lead trial counsel, successfully resolved claims alleging gender, national origin discrimination and retaliation.
Patch v. Seattle Seahawks
As lead trial counsel, won summary judgment dismissing all race discrimination and retaliation claims.
Wisniewska v. Microsoft
King County Superior Court
As lead trial counsel, successfully resolved disability discrimination and retaliation claims brought by current employee.
Mackey v. Home Depot USA, Inc.
As lead trial counsel, won summary judgment dismissing disability and retaliation wrongful discharge claim; affirmed on appeal in published opinion.
Brooks v. Nordstrom, Inc.
As lead trial counsel, obtained defense verdict in claim alleging disability discrimination, failure to accommodate and retaliation.
Robertson v. Catholic Community Services of Western Washington
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
As lead trial counsel, won summary judgment dismissing all claims alleging race discrimination and retaliation. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal.
Swaw v. Safeway, Inc.
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
As trial counsel, won summary dismissal of wrongful termination claim involving off-duty use of recreational marijuana; published opinion.
Claffey v. Starbucks Corporation
As lead trial counsel, obtained summary judgment dismissal of FMLA, pregnancy discrimination and retaliation claims.
Lieberg v. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.
Lead counsel in successful resolution of nationwide class action asserting public disability accommodation claims.
Lattin v. Worldpac, Inc.
As co-counsel, defeated class certification on wage/hour claims.
Calence, LLC v. Dimension Data et al
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Represented plaintiff/employer in employee raiding, trade secret and unfair competition claims, and obtained successful settlement during jury trial.
Big Box Retailer v. Amazon.com
King County Superior Court
Successfully represented plaintiff in employee raiding and trade secret case.
Harmon v. Home Depot
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Affirmed defense judgment in sexual harassment and hostile work environment case; published opinion.

Professional Experience

Lane Powell Board of Directors, Member (2011-2014, 2016)

The Honorable J.B. McInturff, Appellate Law Clerk (1984-1986)

Community Involvement

Gonzaga University Board of Trustees, Vice Chair

American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow

American Bar Association, Member

Washington State Economic Development Commission, Commissioner (2005-2007)

State of Washington, Gubernatorial Debate Consultant to the Governor

American Red Cross, Former Board Member

Thought Leadership

September 15 & October 6, 2023Event / CLE
'Best Practices for Best Employers™' Labor & Employment Seminar 2023
Now in Seattle & Portland!
August 17, 2023News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 Recognizes 123 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 31, 2023News
Forty-seven Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2023
Awards & Honors
June 1, 2023News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2023 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
October 13, 2022Event / CLE
'Best Practices for Best Employers™' Labor & Employment Seminar
Lane Powell | Seattle, Washington
August 18, 2022News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 14, 2022News
Forty-four Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2022
Awards & Honors
June 1, 2022News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2022 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
January 12, 2022News
Reilly Appointed Vice Chair of Gonzaga University Board of Trustees
Awards & Honors
October 6 - December 8, 2021Event / CLE
'Best Practices for Best Employers™' Webinar Series
Lane Powell | Virtual
November 3, 2021Event / CLE
Making Tactical Employment Decisions Now to Avoid 'Runaway [Pandemic] Juries': Top 10 Things Your Employment Lawyer Wants You to Know
Lane Powell 'Best Practices For Best Employers™' Webinar Series | Virtual
October 19, 2021News
Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized in Benchmark Litigation 2022
Awards & Honors
August 19, 2021News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 15, 2021News
Forty-Three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers for 2021
Awards & Honors
May 20, 2021News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2021 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
March 25, 2021Event / CLE
A Year Into COVID – Legal Considerations for Returning to Work and Continued Remote Work
Seattle Society of Human Resource Management | Virtual
October 15 - December 17, 2020Event / CLE
'Best Practices for Best Employers™' Webinar Series
Lane Powell | Virtual
October 28, 2020News
Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized in Benchmark Litigation 2021
Awards & Honors
October 20, 2020Event / CLE
A New Guide for Private Employers Managing Employee Speech in the Workplace
Lane Powell 'Best Practices For Best Employers™' Webinar Series | Virtual
August 20, 2020News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 Recognizes 92 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 16, 2020News
Thirty-Two Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2020
Awards & Honors
May 15, 2020Event / CLE
Strategic and Dependable Terminations — Now You're Just Somebody Used to Know
Parker Smith & Feek | Webinar
May 15, 2020Publication
Now You're Just Somebody Used to Know: How to Perform Strategic, Dependable Terminations
Parker Smith & Feek | Webinar Written Materials
April 23, 2020 News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2020 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
October 1, 2019Event / CLE
SOLD OUT: 37th Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers™’ Labor & Employment Seminar
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
August 15, 2019News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 Recognizes 63 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
June 10, 2019News
Thirty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Nine Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
April 26, 2019News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2019 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
April 10, 2019Event / CLE
Legal HR Update
Washington Bankers Association Education/Human Resources Conference | Spokane, Washington
March 29, 2019News
M. Reilly Named One of the ‘100 Most Powerful Corporate Employment Lawyers’ in the Nation
Awards & Honors
October 3, 2018News
Lane Powell Obtains Dismissal of Safeway Workplace Discrimination Lawsuit
Client Conversations
September 13, 2018Event / CLE
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Seattle Seminar
EEOC Training Institute | Bellevue, Washington
August 15, 2018News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 Recognizes 62 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
August 9, 2018Publication
New Polls in the #MeToo Era Suggest 3 Changes to Human Resources Practices and Investigations
Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
July 9, 2018News
Lane Powell Obtains Dismissal of Disability and Retaliation Wrongful Discharge Claims on Behalf of Home Depot
Client Conversations
June 21, 2018News
M. Reilly Named Among ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the Nation’
Awards & Honors
June 18, 2018News
Thirty-two Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 14 Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
May 3, 2018News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2018 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
October 17, 2017Event / CLE
35th Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers’ Labor and Employment Seminar
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
September 14, 2017Event / CLE
EEOC Seminar
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | Seattle
August 15, 2017News
Fifty-nine Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers® in America 2018
Awards & Honors
July 26, 2017News
M. Reilly Only One in Puget Sound Named Among ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the Nation’
Awards & Honors
June 9, 2017News
Thirty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 16 Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
May 30, 2017News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2017
Awards & Honors
November 23, 2016Publication
What Employers Need to Know NOW About Washington State’s Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Laws
Labor and Employment Legal Update
November 14, 2016Event / CLE
Seattle’s New Scheduling Ordinance: 10 Ways It Will Drastically Change How Large Retailers and Restaurants Do Business
Lane Powell and Washington Retail Association | Webinar
October 27, 2016Event / CLE
Views From the Bench: Employment Litigation
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers | Seattle
October 24, 2016Event / CLE
The New Seattle Scheduling Laws for Hourly Workers
In-House CLE
October 11, 2016Event / CLE
34th Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers’ Labor and Employment Seminar
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
October 2, 2016News
Lane Powell Featured in Puget Sound Business Journal Special Insert About Oct. 11 Labor and Employment Seminar
In the News
September 16, 2016News
Reilly Quoted in The Lens About Private Sector Work Scheduling in Seattle
In the News
August 17, 2016News
Fifty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017
Awards & Honors
August 4, 2016News
Reilly Quoted in Human Resource Executive Online Article About Unpaid Internships
In the News
May 27, 2016News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2016
Awards & Honors
May 17, 2016Event / CLE
Employers and Employees Working Together
Cancer Pathways | Seattle
April 26, 2016Event / CLE
Top 10 Mistakes Employers Make: What Your Employment Lawyer Would Tell You if You Would Just Return His Call
Washington Bankers Association | Marysville, Washington
February 2, 2016News
Twenty-five Lane Powell Attorneys and 11 Practice Groups Recommended in Chambers® USA 2016
Awards & Honors
January 29, 2016Publication
Business Success: How to Establish a Winning Company Culture
Seattle Business magazine
January 20, 2016News
Reilly Quoted in Human Resource Executive on Workplace Changes Mentioned in State of the Union Speech
In the News
January 20, 2016News
Reilly Quoted in Law360 Article on High Court ERISA Reimbursement Ruling
In the News
December 2, 2015Event / CLE
Second Annual Startups and Emerging Companies Seminar: The Startup Journey — Idea to Exit
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
October 23, 2015Publication
Three Quick Strategic Responses to Title III ADA Class Action Claims
Lane Powell White Paper
September 15, 2015Event / CLE
33rd Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers’ Labor and Employment Seminar
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
August 21, 2015Publication
Lane Powell Featured in Puget Sound Business Journal Special Insert About Sept. 15 Labor and Employment Seminar
Puget Sound Business Journal
August 17, 2015News
Forty-eight Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016
Awards & Honors
July 9, 2015Publication
The Cost of Bad Performance Reviews: ‘I’m Getting Sued Because My Evaluations Were Too Nice?’
Seattle Business
June 17, 2015News
Reilly Named Among the Nation’s ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys’ for 2015
June 12, 2015News
Thirty-two Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 11 Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
May 21, 2015News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2015
Awards & Honors
March 10, 2015Event / CLE
Internships A to Z
Lake Washington Human Resource Association | Bellevue, Washington
February 11, 2015News
Reilly Quoted in FierceMobileIT Article About ‘Bring Your Own Device’ to Work Policies
February 11, 2015News
Twenty-one Lane Powell Attorneys and 11 Practice Groups Recommended in Chambers® USA 2015
Awards & Honors
January 30, 2015Publication
The BYOD Question: Sound Advice on ‘Bring Your Own Device’ to Work
Seattle Business magazine
January 6, 2015News
Reilly Quoted in Human Resource Executive Online Article About New US Supreme Court Ruling on Wage/Hour Compensation for Security Screenings
September 18, 2014News
Lane Powell Scores Touchdown for Seattle Seahawks in Retaliation Suit
September 9, 2014Event / CLE
32nd Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers’ Labor and Employment Seminar
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
August 18, 2014News
Fifty-One Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015
Awards & Honors
June 20, 2014Publication
Internships: Yea or Nay? A Good Program Will Generate Benefits, but Be Sure to Do It Right
Seattle Business magazine
June 13, 2014News
Thirty-five Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Fifteen Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
June 3, 2014News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2014
Awards & Honors
January 29, 2014News
Twenty-two Lane Powell Attorneys and 12 Practice Groups Recommended in Chambers® USA 2014
Awards & Honors
September 26, 2013Event / CLE
Tips on How to Conduct an EEO Investigation
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | Seattle
July 2013Event / CLE
Holistic Guide to Handling High Profile Employment Cases
Human Resource Law Forum
June 25, 2013Event / CLE
New Challenges, New Opportunities: What to Expect When Arbitrating Employment Disputes
Washington State Bar Association Employment Law Institute
June 14, 2013News
Thirty-Six Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Sixteen Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
September 11, 2012Event / CLE
The Interactive Process and the Interplay of the ADA, FMLA, and Worker’s Compensation
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Special Topics Seminar | Seattle
August 9, 2011News
Thirty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Awards & Honors
July 27, 2011Event / CLE
Preparing for New and Anticipated Legislation, Regulations and Amendments Affecting the Retaliation and Discrimination Landscape
National Forum on Defending and Managing High Exposure Claims of Retaliation and Discrimination | New York City
July 21, 2011Event / CLE
Winning the Class Certification Battle in Wage/Hour Litigation
American Conference Institute | San Francisco
June 20, 2011News
Twenty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers;’ Ten Lane Powell Attorneys Named As ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
November 9, 2010Event / CLE
Ethical Obligations of Pleadings and Briefing
Washington State Bar Association’s “8th Annual Law of Lawyering Conference”
July 20, 2010News
58 Lane Powell Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Awards & Honors
June 6, 2010News
28 Lane Powell Attorneys Named Washington Super Lawyers 2010
Awards & Honors
February 25, 2010Event / CLE
The Surge in High-Exposure Retaliation Claims
American Conference Institute
November 2009Event / CLE
The Nuts and Bolts of Twitter and Social Media for Employers: How to Use It, What’s to Gain, Guidance to Minimize Risk
Washington Society of Association Executives
June 13, 2006Event / CLE
ERISA and Employee Benefit Litigation Law Update
National ERISA Law Forum
2005Publication
ERISA Fiduciary Claims: Planning, Protecting and Preparing for Class Actions
Employee Relations Law Journal

Practices & Industries

Labor, Employment & Benefits
Secondary & Higher Education Representation, Title IX
Wage & Hour
ERISA, Life, Health & Disability
International Arbitration
Investigations, Compliance & White Collar
Business

Education

Catholic University of America, J.D., 1984
- Catholic University of America Law Review, Board of Editors
Gonzaga University, B.B.A., cum laude, 1981
- Outstanding Student of the Year Award
- School of Business Administration Excellence Award
- Loyalty in Leadership Award
- Albert Mann Debate Award

Admissions

Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Admitted Pro Hac Vice in a number of other jurisdictions

Honors

"Seattle Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Litigation (2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021)

“Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the Nation,” Human Resource Executive® (2012-2021)

The Best Lawyers in America©, Employment Law — Management, Labor Law — Management, ERISA Litigation (2010-2019, 2023-2024); Employee Benefits (ERISA) (2010-2013, 2018-2024)

Chambers® USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor and Employment

“Labor & Employment Star – West,” Benchmark Litigation (2021-2023)

“Top Business Lawyers,” Seattle Business magazine

“Washington Super Lawyer,” Thomson Reuters, Employment Litigation: Defense (2003-2023)

AV Preeminent® in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™

Boom: The ERISA Law Blog

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