Michael B. Slade

Represented Boeing in a series of matters arising out of the Sea Launch venture. In 2016, after six years of litigation in four countries, Boeing won summary judgment as plaintiff against three companies controlled by the Russian and Ukrainian governments. The total judgment in Boeing’s favor, entered May 12, 2016, exceeded $500 million. In addition, following summary judgment, Boeing won a bench trial against U.S. affiliates of the Russian entity on its claim that the U.S. entities were alter egos of the Russian affiliates, equally liable for the judgment entered in Boeing’s favor. See The Boeing Company v. KB Yuzhnoye et al., 2016 WL 2851297 (C.D. Cal. May 13, 2016). These victories were recognized by The American Lawyer as the Transatlantic Litigation matters of the year for 2016.

Secured preliminary injunction for Citadel to enforce non-competition agreements with senior managers who left the company and started a competitor. Citadel Investment Group v. Teza Technologies, 2009 WL 3416124 (Ill. Cir. Ct. 2009). Won a $2 million sanction against defendant for discovery misconduct during the litigation. Citadel Investment Group v. Teza Technologies, 2010 WL 3560520 (Ill. Cir. Ct. 2010).

Represented Navistar in a breach of contract case filed by Ford Motor Company, where Ford sought over $1 billion in damages. After two years of litigation, the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement. In a joint press release, the parties stated that as part of the settlement, Ford made a cash payment to Navistar, and Navistar also acquired additional equity in certain joint ventures between the companies.

Represented Motorola in a series of individual cases and class actions alleging that radiofrequency energy from wireless phones causes brain cancer and other personal injuries. All such cases filed to date have been dismissed prior to trial. See, e.g., Motorola, Inc. v. Murray, 147 A.3d 751, 2016 WL 6134870 (D.C. Oct. 20, 2016), Farina v. Nokia, Inc., et al., 578 F. Supp. 2d 740 (E.D. Pa. 2008), aff'd 625F.3d 97 (3d. Cir. 2010); Newman v. Motorola, Inc., 218 F. Supp. 2d 769 (D. Md. 2002), aff'd 78 Fed. Appx. 292 (4th Cir. 2003); Murray v. Motorola, 982 A. 2d 764 (D.C. 2009); Bennett v. T-Mobile USA Inc., 597 F. Supp. 2d 1050 (C.D. Cal. 2008).

Represented Abbott Laboratories in a series of individual cases and class actions in which plaintiffs claimed injury or the threat of injury from the prescription drug Meridia. More than 100 cases were dismissed on summary judgment after plaintiffs' experts were excluded on Daubert grounds. See In re Meridia Prods. Liab. Litig, 328 F. Supp. 2d 791 (N.D. Ohio 2004).

Represented numerous firm clients on a wide range of employment law issues. Michael has drafted scores of restrictive covenants and litigated many matters involving non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, most of which also involved theft of trade secrets allegations. See, e.g., Safety-Kleen Systems v. McGinn, 233 F. Supp. 2d 121 (D. Mass. 2002). He has also represented companies in discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower cases.  See, e.g., In re UAL Corp., 2008 WL 450457 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. Feb. 15, 2008); In re UAL Corp., 2008 WL 4922325 (7th Cir. Nov. 17, 2008).

Represented United Airlines in numerous aspects of its bankruptcy case. Tried many cases in the Bankruptcy Court and defended the results on appeal. See, e.g., In re UAL Corp., 412 F.3d 775 (7th Cir. 2005); 310 B.R. 373 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2004); 293 B.R. 183 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2003), aff'd 368 F.3d 720 (7th Cir. 2004); 297 B.R. 710 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2003); 351 B.R. 916 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2006), 360 B.R. 780 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2006), aff'd 2008 WL 4367487 (N.D. Ill. 2008).

Michael is dedicated to pro bono work, and has represented a number of indigent defendants in criminal cases. See, e.g., United States v. Ahmed, 587 F. Supp. 2d 853 (N.D. Ohio 2008); United States v. Oliver, 142 F. Supp. 2d 1047 (N.D. Ill. 2001). Michael also argued the first successful motion under the federal Innocence Protection Act. See United States v. Fasano, 577 F. 3d 572 (5th Cir. 2009)