Our team, led by former federal prosecutors, has extensive experience handling sensitive government and internal investigations, and maintains a strong record of successfully resolving regulatory and criminal matters. We assist banking & financial services industry clients with all facets of regulatory enforcement investigations, corporate criminal defense, civil litigation, grand jury proceedings, corporate internal investigations, risk assessment, and compliance counseling.
Sex Crimes
Melinda represents companies in commercial matters with a focus on defending asbestos product liability claims. She draws on her experience across business sectors and issues that include insurance coverage, risk management, railroad, leasing, and entertainment. Melinda also has experience assisting individuals as they pursue and defend personal injury and civil sex offense cases.
Fraud
Assisting clients with all facets of corporate criminal defense, government investigations, and internal investigations in areas as diverse as antitrust, securities fraud, RICO, FCPA, accounting irregularities, healthcare fraud, IP crimes, money laundering, and environmental crimes.
White Collar Crimes
Chambers USA 2022, which says: "Robust group adept at handling an array of disputes, including antitrust, false advertising, construction, employment and product liability cases. Also recognized for its capabilities in class action suits and for its strengths in white-collar crime and government investigations. Additionally noted for its skills in mediation and arbitrations. Frequently sought after for its intellectual property expertise.”
Theft
Restraining Order
We were retained to represent a college defending a student discipline Title IX decision in state court litigation. The disciplined student claimed breach of contract and various other causes of action and sought a Temporary Restraining Order. We prepared a response to request for the Temporary Restraining Order and obtained denial of the order and dismissal of the matter.
Money Laundering
We advise our broker-dealer clients on formation and transfer, registration, licensing, and membership applications; compliance with applicable federal, state, and self-regulatory organization laws and regulations; and capital-raising transactions. Our proactive guidance on compliance and risk mitigation strategies covers issues such as securities registration requirements; due diligence procedures; and anti-manipulation, anti-fraud, and anti–money laundering (AML) measures.
Internet Crimes
Michael Best’s IP attorneys and technical professionals help clients develop, manage, protect, and enforce their brands and technologies worldwide. Our IP group provides a full range of legal services related to patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, advertising and promotions, and internet law. We also advise on technology licensing, contracts, and terms and conditions. We work with many clients in fields such as life sciences, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and computer sciences.
Commissioner George P. Bush counsels business interests, public entities, and individuals alike on a range of complex matters that impact their growth prospects. His legal practice includes transactions in oil and gas, renewables, and commercial real estate; corporate governance and securities law; investment fund formation and compliance; administrative law, public-private partnerships, and economic development.
Mergers and Acquisitions
With an entrepreneurial spirit and background, Shawn focuses his practice on advising start-ups, privately held businesses, business owners, investors, and investment funds, aiming at business planning, forming, funding, and mergers and acquisitions.
Business Disputes
Representing creditors in all aspects of collection, insolvency, and bankruptcy proceedings, from bankruptcy plan negotiations and hearings to contract disputes and successor liability claims, as well as in purchasing assets out of receiverships and bankruptcy estates.
Business Transactions
Kelly assists clients and Michael Best lawyers with business entity creation and maintenance, as well as a broad range of business transactions encompassing: acquisitions, mergers, conversions, foreign qualifications, tax exempt status, private placement of securities, federal securities law compliance, state business tax credits, new market tax credits, as well as general obligation and revenue bonds.
Limited Liability Companies
Bret assists clients with the transactional and operational aspects of acquiring, forming, operating, owning, and structuring businesses. A problem-solver who can help companies get back on track, he is also a hard-nosed negotiator whose tireless work for clients often results in deals that surpass their highest expectations. Bret represents privately and publicly-held corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. He focuses on matters concerning business...
Trade Secrets
Yoichiro's practice hinges upon his extensive experience in international patent law, particularly related to Japanese intellectual property law. His background as an expert witness, patent application examiner, and appeal examiner at the Board of Appeals in the Japanese Patent Office allows Yoichiro to offer both national and international clients unique and comprehensive counseling services regarding patents, trade secret protection, trademarks, infringement, copyright, and licensing matters.
Intellectual Property
AI and machine learning—once the province of science fiction—are fast becoming an everyday reality. Many of our clients are working to either develop or implement these revolutionary technologies, and we assist them on both fronts. For providers as well as purchasers of AI, we advise on crucial issues such as data ownership, privacy and data security, intellectual property protection, and government relations. We have considerable experience with patents in this nascent area, and our team is doing a variety of work related to autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles.
Unfair Competition
Representing employers in single-plaintiff and class action litigation, administrative agency proceedings, and alternative dispute resolution involving employment-related issues such as discrimination or harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, workplace safety, family leave, disability accommodation, unfair competition and trade secrets, employee benefits, and executive compensation.
Charles B. Palmer: Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Workers' Compensation Law – Employers
Wrongful Termination
Brian brings strategic business vision to his work representing companies engaged in employment-related disputes, both in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. The focus of Brian’s practice is to deliver positive outcomes in litigation matters, including class action discrimination, wage and hour collective actions, harassment and discrimination claims, wrongful termination, disability accommodations, theft of trade secrets, and enforcement of restrictive covenants.
Employment Discrimination
We represented a college in a matter involving the removal of the college president and numerous administrative reorganizations. Proceedings included Board meetings, Board hearings, administrative law judge hearings, and federal court litigation. Our team defended against claims of breach of contract, due process, and race discrimination. We obtained victory at all levels, including the Federal Court of Appeals.
Employment Contract
Employment Litigation
Mike Barnhill is an experienced civil litigator and trial attorney who has represented clients in a wide variety of matters, including cases involving contractual breaches, torts (including fraud and negligence), misappropriation of trade secrets, securities violations, and employment issues (wage and hour, discrimination). Mike also defends class action suits and financial services companies in consumer litigation. Mike is licensed in both California and Utah and has represented extensively litigated cases in both states as well as many other states.
Severance Agreement
Rob is a skilled negotiator whose practice includes both public and private sector management labor and employment law. His work includes National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) proceedings, collective bargaining, contract administration, and arbitration proceedings. Rob also has extensive experience working on employment discrimination matters and wage and hour claims. He helps clients tackle tough issues, including: union elections and right to work, severance agreements, health insurance issues, title IX, investigations, and complex employment issues, and more.
Michael Best was named a top Real Estate Law Firm in this guide, which ranks leading firms in the Midwest that practice commercial real estate law.
Construction Litigation
In an era marked by seismic shifts in regulatory, political, and social attitudes toward power generation, planning and building new power plants has never been more challenging. Nevertheless, in recent years our Energy team has helped bring a number of new power plants to life. They range from utility-scale solar, wind, and battery projects, to community solar. We have moved these projects from inception to permitting, and have assisted clients on multiple projects related to the negotiation of construction agreements in support of large energy infrastructure. We work with federal, state, and local regulators to address concerns like noise, visual interruption, and community health.
Real Estate Transactions
Michelle provides strategic counsel and representation to clients involved in a range of construction, real estate, and project development matters. Representative work includes complex real estate purchase, sale and leasing transactions, entitlement processes, easements, licenses and rights-of-entry agreements, developing and implementing best practices on large-scale, high-ticket construction and development projects, and more.
Eminent Domain
Evan Strassberg is a civil litigator who holds active licenses in both Utah and California. Evan has extensive experience in a wide variety of litigation matters, including defense of consumer class actions and disputes regarding trademarks, breach of contract, fraud, securities, employment discrimination, eminent domain, and personal injury.
Easement
Land Use and Zoning
Chambers USA 2022, which says: “Sought-after practice servicing developers, public bodies and private companies. Excels in matters related to development, financing, and construction for commercial, residential and hospitality projects. Additionally recognized for skill in land use and zoning and leasing.”
Condominium Law
Nancy is a partner in the Real Estate group. Her more than 30 years of experience covers a broad range of real estate law, including assisting clients in purchases, sales and leases of property, and development and zoning work; representing borrowers and lenders in real estate loans; assisting in foreclosures and workouts; advising on questions of condominium law; negotiating construction and architects' contracts; and assisting in real estate litigation.
José is the Chair of the of the firm’s Higher Education Industry Group and counsels colleges and universities on issues including governance, financial challenges, Title IX, student discipline, employment matters, discrimination, and contract administration. José is also the founder of Michael Best’s Immigration law practice. Clients depend on his deep knowledge of and experience with U.S. immigration law and employment-based immigration matters, including immigration status, permanent labor certification, national interest waiver, adjustment of status, consular processing, citizenship and naturalization, and I-9 compliance.
Employment Immigration
Julie provides business-related immigration services to clients with a particular focus on employment-based immigration, including nonimmigrant petitions, permanent residence applications, and naturalization.
Green Cards
Business Immigration
Jamie provides a broad spectrum of business immigration services to firm clients.Jamie has more than 10 years of experience providing business immigration services. She has extensive experience with H-1B and TN applications, as well as the management of a J-1 Exchange Visitor program, facilitating the sponsorship of Research Scholars, Short Term Scholars, Student Interns and Alien Physicians.
Work Visas
We represent PRO-Equipment Inc., a manufacturer of wastewater treatment and waste disposal process equipment, in immigration and intellectual property matters. Our intellectual property representation has included brand management for membrane (filtration) technology, including trademark clearance and prosecution, as well as patent application drafting, prosecution, and related advice. In the area of immigration, our attorneys have assisted the company with issues including temporary work visa processing, green card filings, and international travel assistance.
Paul E. Benson: Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Medical Malpractice
When necessary, we represent healthcare clients in litigation, internal investigations, government enforcement actions, and crisis management. Michael Best’s Healthcare group has experience defending individual healthcare providers including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), insurers, and institutions in medical malpractice litigation, including jury and bench trials; administrative proceedings such as licensing board actions; investigations related to alleged fraudulent billing, and Medicaid audit and recoupment actions.
Jane brings a well-versed background of experience to her work as a banking & financial services paralegal. As the lead paralegal in the firm’s Derivatives group, she assists bank clients as a documentation specialist for interest rate swaps, foreign exchange, and other derivative products. Jane also has extensive experience in assisting with matters involving estate planning, probate, and registered investment company filings with both the SEC and FINRA.
Trusts
Julie’s outstanding track record is built on successful outcomes in legal matters related to estate planning, trust administration, and probate. Clients rely on her sound judgment regarding lifetime planning, as well as the administration and distribution of assets at death.
Michael Best’s Banking & Financial Services practice group was recognized in Chambers USA 2022, which says: "Notable banking and financial services practice which takes in all manner of lending and financing transactions. Other areas of strength include distressed financing deals, regulatory compliance, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings… Expertise in creditors' rights matters, reorganizations, and workouts. Additionally noted for its expertise in derivatives matters."
Foreclosure
Our commercial litigation attorneys have a proven track record representing lenders and other financial service providers in matters ranging from commercial foreclosures and collateral replevin, to FDIC receiverships, complex Chapter 11 bankruptcies, and insurance company insolvencies and rehabilitations. We have also successfully defended banks and their officers against allegations of fraud and non-conforming lending practices.
Tax Law
We provide strategic counsel covering the business life cycle, from organization, financing, and operation through mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. We advise on corporate and tax planning to help clients understand how water assets and liabilities may affect their bottom line, now and into the future.