Michael A. Wilder, current member and former chair of Littler’s Board of Directors, is a core member of the firm’s Complex Litigation and Jury Trial Practice Group and Workplace Investigations Group. For almost two decades, he has represented clients across the country in connection multi-plaintiff and single-plaintiff complex litigation before federal and state appellate court, district courts, arbitration tribunals, and federal and state administrative agencies. Michael has substantial experience providing advice and litigation defense of claims arising under:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
- 42 U.S.C. § 1981
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Family Medical Leave Act
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
- Retaliation, defamation, and whistleblower laws
Michael is also a seasoned investigator with significant experience in this area. He has conducted dozens of high-stakes C-suite, executive-level, and director-level investigations for various global and national clients both inside and outside of the U.S. regarding various employment-related matters, including allegations of:
- Hostile work environment
- Discrimination
- Fraud
- Retaliation
- Whistleblower violations
- General code of conduct and employee handbook violations
In addition, Michael provides training and advice to employers on a wide range of employment issues and serves as a strategic partner to improve organizational culture.
A skilled litigator, Michael successfully defended a major health care provider in an appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, in which the Court affirmed the district court’s dismissal of all counts for want of prosecution. He successfully argued an appeal before the same Court on behalf of a refractories company, which resulted in the Court’s affirmation of the district court’s grant of summary judgment on all counts.
Michael was also a part of a trial team that defended a waste disposal company during a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. His team received a complete defense verdict on all claims. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the verdict in its entirety on appeal.
Michael also successfully defended a major retailer in a sexual harassment case, leading to summary judgment for the employer, which was affirmed by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals following oral argument.
Michael has also served on Littler’s Global Board of Directors, Global Strategic Planning Committee, Governance Committee, and IE&D Council.
Michael has been an attorney at Littler since graduating from law school in 2006. He was a summer associate at Littler in 2005.
Michael was a judicial extern to the Hon. Diane Larsen of the Circuit Court of Cook County. In law school, he was an editor for the Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal, an extern for the National Labor Relations Board, and was inducted into the prestigious Bar and Gavel Society. He also earned his Certificate of Labor and Employment Law.