Atty. Michael H. Cramer
Mr. Cramer counsels and represents employers on a wide variety of labor and employment-related legal matters.
Profile Summary
About Michael H. Cramer at a glance
Michael H. Cramer is an attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practforg at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC. Admitted to practice in Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association. Educated at The University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1988). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Serands clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Mr. Cramer counsels and represents employers on a wide variety of labor and employment-related legal matters
- He has advised clients ranging from small non-profits to Fortune 500 companies on employment matters, negotiated cost-effective resolutions to troubling disputes, and litigated to victory
- Based on peer surveys, Mr. Cramer has achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating (AV), and has been named among the Best Lawyers in America, a Leading Lawyer and an Illinois Super Lawyer
- Mr. Cramer’s employment litigation practice includes discrimination and harassment cases, wage and hour collective actions, and restrictive covenant litigation
- Examples of his work include: Defending employers including retail chains, restaurant chains, and manufacturers in numerous class and collective actions involving alleged wage and hour violations
- Defeating a former employee’s attempt to certify a class of more than 200 employees alleging denial of overtime pay, then defeating the remaining plaintiff’s claims at trial
- Winning summary judgment on behalf of employers in numerous discrimination and retaliation suits
- Defeating a 27-count federal lawsuit brought by the former chief executive of a non-profit organization against the entity and each of its board members
- Defeating an age and sex discrimination suit in a federal jury trial
- Guiding employers through high-stakes internal investigations and termination situations
- Training in-house counsel, HR professionals and entire workforces on subjects including anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, internal investigations and workplace bullying
- and Assisting clients to reduce EEOC charges and lawsuits by counseling HR and management on policies and all potentially volatile disciplinary and termination decisions
- A frequent speaker and writer on labor and employment law topics, Mr. Cramer serves on the Labor & Employment Advisory Committee for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Illinois
Practforg law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantiand law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantiand law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
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