Michael P. Conway

Principal

Michael P. Conway

PHONE:
312.704.7749

E-MAIL:

EDUCATION

University of Illinois (A.B., cum laude with high distinction, 1986)
Phi Beta Kappa
 
University of Chicago (J.D., cum laude, 1989)
University of Chicago Law Review

JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP

Judge Marvin Aspen, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (1989-90)

PRACTICE AREAS
Commercial Litigation, Sports Law

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • State of Illinois
  • United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth and Seventh Circuits
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar), and Eastern District of Michigan

  

Mike Conway is an experienced commercial litigator who has handled dozens of trials and arbitrations.  Mike's practice encompasses a variety of substantive areas.  For example, Mike has represented several private equity firms and other clients in post-closing disputes following the purchase and sale of businesses.  Mike has also handled a number of lawsuits involving disputes over the ownership and control of large closely held and/or family-owned businesses.  Mike has litigated cases in a host of other disciplines, including class action defense, antitrust securities, employment litigation and sports law.

Mike's ongoing and recent matters include:

  • Defending a private equity firm in breach of contract litigation following the sale of a portfolio company.
  • Trial victory in derivative litigation filed against the officers and directors of a closely held business by minority shareholders.
  • Representing a private equity firm in fraud and breach of representation and warranty litigation relating to our client's purchase of a manufacturing business.
  • Representing a consumer products company in litigation involving the alleged breach of a $1.6 billion supply agreement.
  • Litigation against a private equity firm involving breach of fiduciary duty to a minority shareholder, who had retained ownership in the company following a sale.
  • Defending several financial institutions and consumer products corporations in class actions involving purported violations of consumer lending and protection statutes and common law theories.  Results in these cases have included denial of class certification, as well as victories on summary judgment and motions to dismiss.

In addition to his commercial litigation practice, Mr. Conway has extensive experience in sports and employment law.  He has handled grievance arbitrations, salary arbitrations and licensing and antitrust litigation for the NHL Players' Association.  Among Mr. Conway's victories for the NHLPA is the highest salary arbitration award on record.  Mr. Conway also represented WGN in two antitrust trials against the NBA stemming from the NBA's efforts to block WGN from telecasting Chicago Bulls games.  Mr. Conway won an arbitration victory in a nationally publicized retaliatory discharge case involving the U.S. Women's soccer team.

Mr. Conway has practiced and participated in trials in state and federal courts across the country.  In addition, he has extensive experience in arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and independent arbitrators, as well as administrative proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.

Mr. Conway has been recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer and Super Lawyer, two lists of top business litigators generated from surveys of Illinois attorneys.

Mr. Conway also serves as the firm's hiring partner.