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D. Michael Reilly Photo

Mike

D. Michael Reilly
ShareholderLabor, Employment & Benefits Team Co-Chair; ERISA, Life, Health & Disability Team Co-Chair
Seattle
D 206.223.7051
reillym@lanepowell.com

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.

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

  • 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.
  • Turnquist v. Nordstrom, Inc.
    As lead trial counsel, obtained summary judgment dismissal of class action claims alleging unpaid commissions.
  • 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

  • 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
  • 'Best Practices for Best Employers™' Labor & Employment Seminar
  • Awards_2023 Best Lawyers America
  • 2023 Benchmark Litigation
  • Boom: The ERISA Law Blog
  • Chambers USA Leading Lawyer 2022
  • Washington Super Lawyers 2022

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 — Management, Labor — Management, ERISA Litigation (2010-2019, 2023); Employee Benefits (ERISA) (2010-2013, 2018-2023)

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 (2003-2022)

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

Boom: The ERISA Law Blog

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