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Mike

D. Michael Reilly

Shareholder Past Chair, Labor, Employment & Benefits Team

Mike Reilly is a nationally recognized management-side employment attorney, named one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the Nation” by Human Resource Executive. In 2021, peer reviews by Best Lawyers® named Mike the “Seattle Lawyer of the Year” for employment-related litigation. Mike has successfully represented employers in over 75 jury trials, arbitrations, bench trials, and appeals in individual and class action lawsuits involving wrongful discharge, discrimination, retaliation, wage-hour laws, and ERISA in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.

Mike’s strategic advice helps employers create positive workplace cultures focused on collaboration which help avoid employment claims and litigation. He prepares “’best workplace policies and practices” and counsels employers through separations and terminations, lay-offs, and employee performance challenges. Mike advises Human Resource professionals and in-house counsel on the disability interactive process, religious accommodation and leave processes. He also conducts investigations for employers, and manages investigations involving misconduct, harassment, and discrimination and provides effective remedial action to avoid litigation. Mike also advises on executive employment agreements, and non-competition and trade secret agreements. He served as lead counsel in a successful employee raiding and trade secret case highlighted in the Wall Street Journal.

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

Mike also advises higher education administrators and nonprofit governing boards, and serves as Chair of the Gonzaga University Board of Trustees. He also serves as Outside General Counsel for Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.

Mike’s remarks on employment issues have been quoted in Newsweek, Employee Relations Law Journal, Wall Street Journal, Puget Sound Business Journal and CFO.com as well as other professional journals and publications.

Areas of Focus

Represents and advises employers and management in litigation: Litigates claims involving wrongful discharge, discrimination, failure to accommodate (disability and religion), leave interference, and wage and hour claims.
Strategic counseling and risk management: Advises employers on all facets of employment-related issues including recruiting and hiring, workplace violence, employee discipline reductions-in-force, ERISA compliance, criminal background checks, and employee terminations.
Workplace investigations: Trains investigators, and advises and manages outcomes and/or conducts investigations involving sensitive allegations, through thoughtful collaboration with Human Resources and in-house counsel. Reasonable investigations require traditional investigation skills along with emotional intelligence and pragmatism.
Agency charges: Prepares responses to EEOC and state and local employment practices agencies alleging retaliation, discrimination, and wage and hour violations. Successfully litigated and resolved numerous lawsuits brought by the EEOC, BOLI, and WSHRC agencies.
Disability, religious accommodations, and leave management: Advises employers on employee health and leave issues, including workplace safety and disability accommodation laws involving alcohol, illegal drugs, and marijuana use. Advises employers on new expectations addressing religious accommodation in light of the Groff Supreme Court decision.
Pay equity audits and strategy: Advises regarding methodology and proactive steps involving pay equity audits addressing equal pay and career opportunities issues.
Management training: Develops and conducts effective and efficient management training on avoiding retaliation, discrimination/harassment, and leave issues facing employers, and how to conduct defensible and reasonable investigations.
Employee handbooks: Reviews and prepares employee handbooks to assure compliance with ever-changing employment laws and recommending policies which can enhance a collaborative and diverse workplace.
Pay transparency and wage & hour compliance, and audits: Advises on new laws requiring pay transparency and compliance with minimum wage and overtime laws, paid leave statutes and how to avoid independent contractor misclassification claims, and government audits.
Employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and the duty of loyalty: Prepares executive agreements and advises on intellectual property, trade secret, and non-compete agreements as well as compliance with an employee’s “duty of loyalty.”

Experience

McFarland v. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (2024)
Served as lead counsel and won summary judgment dismissal for the medical school in this race and gender discrimination, and retaliation employment claim. On August 8, 2024, the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court decision granting summary judgment and dismissing the case.
Moliga v. Home Depot (2023)
Served as lead counsel and obtained early dismissal of pay transparency class action involving RCW 49.58.100.
Dawson v. Microsoft (2022)
King County Superior Court
As lead trial counsel, successfully resolved claims alleging gender, national origin discrimination, and retaliation.
Patch v. Seattle Seahawks (2020)
As lead trial counsel, won summary judgment dismissing all race discrimination and retaliation claims.
Wisniewska v. Microsoft (2022)
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. (2020)
As lead trial counsel, won summary judgment dismissing disability and retaliation wrongful discharge claim; affirmed by Washington State Supreme Court 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 (2023)
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, Chair

American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow

The American Employment Law Council, Member

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

December 6, 2024News
Reilly Appointed Chairman of Gonzaga University Board of Trustees
Awards & Honors
September 12 & October 9, 2024Event / CLE
'Best Practices for Best Employers™' Labor & Employment Seminar 2024
Now in Portland & Seattle!
September 20, 2024News
Reilly Named in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers for 2025
Awards & Honors
August 15, 2024News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2025 Recognizes 128 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 31, 2024News
Fifty-seven Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2024
Awards & Honors
June 6, 2024News
Lane Powell Ranked Again Among Top Firms in 2024 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
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.
- Catholic University of America Law Review, Board of Editors
Gonzaga University, B.B.A., cum laude
- 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)

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

Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers (2024)

The Best Lawyers in America©, Employment Law — Management, Labor Law — Management, ERISA Litigation (2010-2019, 2023-2025); Employee Benefits (ERISA) (2010-2013, 2018-2025)

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

“Washington Super Lawyer,” Thomson Reuters, Employment Litigation: Defense (2003-2024)

“Top Business Lawyers,” Seattle Business magazine

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

Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

Boom: The ERISA Law Blog

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