Michael D. (Mike) Mitchell
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Description of field of expertise
Mike is a true employment lawyer in every sense of the word. With clients based and located throughout the country, Mike provides advice and counsel to and litigates on behalf of employers nationwide. Mike has tried over a dozen single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff cases covering a multitude of employment law topics. From employment discrimination claims based on race, sex, and age; to collective actions dealing with wage and hour issues; to whistleblower and retaliation claims, Mike has successfully litigated and tried all types of cases in the employment law field. Mike is known for his keen legal research and writing abilities and has successfully won countless summary judgment motions, which he has also successfully defended on appeal before various federal and state appellate courts. Mike also regularly represents and defends employers before various federal and state agencies, including the EEOC (and state equivalents), the DOL, the NLRB, and OSHA. A dynamic and entertaining presenter, Mike frequently speaks on various employment law topics, always giving his unique and entertaining perspective to the issues he discusses.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
Be vigilant! Don’t get complacent! Think outside the box! Have fun! Employment law is a great field of practice. Remember that there can be — and often are — new solutions to “old” problems that can make a difference. The law is ever-changing and developing, and we all should strive to be a part of that change.
Final thoughts…
Mike believes that we all should always try to be the very best at everything we do. He often tells his two daughters, whom he absolutely adores: Do everything with passion! If you can’t do something with passion, then you probably don’t want to do it in the first place, and therefore you probably shouldn’t do it at all.