Michael Dockterman

Overview

Michael Dockterman is the go-to trial lawyer for his clients, trusted to lead them through their most complex and high-profile commercial disputes – both civil and criminal. Nationally recognized for litigating “once-in-a-lifetime” cases, he has represented clients in landmark trials and precedent-setting appeals across securities, antitrust, intellectual property, real estate, and government contracting.

Throughout his wide-ranging trial practice, Michael has handled the full spectrum of business litigation and led multinational litigation over matters pending simultaneously in courts in the United States, Europe, and Asia. He regularly counsels boards and audit committees on corporate governance, compliance, and executive evaluation and succession. He also guides companies through disputes with institutional investors and investigations by federal, state, and local regulators.

Results

Obtained a successful jury verdict in the landmark “Clickity-Clack Track” case, which established the standard for proving trade secrets under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act after a jury awarded lifetime royalties to inventors whose design had been misappropriated*
Served as lead trial lawyer for Toys “R” Us in successful litigation over control of its website, resulting in a decision returning control to the company, affirmed on appeal with additional damages added and ultimately settled for an additional $51 million*
Secured a defense jury verdict in favor of a utility company in the trial of business interruption claims brought by a refinery following the failure of a co-generation plant in San Francisco*

Successfully defended Toys “R” Us in one of the largest multidistrict consumer class actions ever brought, twice defeating certification and ultimately resolving suits by settlement to recover statutory damages for more than 16 million claims in alleged violation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act*
Negotiated a global settlement with all 50 states and six US territories resolving an investigation into pharmaceutical marketing practices, including related insurance issues*
Obtained dismissal of a nationwide class action opioid claims brought by school districts and third-party payors*
Defeated claims against KeyBank Real Estate Capital in litigation over servicing a $3.9 billion pool of loans arising from the default of the mortgage on The Bryant Park Hotel, which was affirmed by an appellate court*
Defended the City of Chicago in a two-month trial challenging the largest public works project in the US at the time, successfully vindicating the city’s procurement process and disposing of all challenges to the city’s award of the contract*
Successfully defended Archer Daniels Midland Corporation directors through criminal and civil litigation following a raid by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the company’s headquarters, including negotiating a groundbreaking settlement affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States*
Obtained dismissal of a major financial institution against claims arising from servicing mortgage pools exceeding $4 billion, which was affirmed on appeal*
Obtained dismissal of the former head of a business unit of a publicly traded company from securities class actions in New York alleging financial misrepresentations and breach of fiduciary duty*
Obtained dismissal of securities class action claims against the largest investor in a public company asserting failure to disclose fully both the nature of the investor’s interests and his preferred position over other investors*
Successfully defended antitrust, copyright, and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act claims against the board of a standard-setting body and its related entities for alleged exclusionary and predatory conduct*

*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte.

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Recognitions

Global Law Experts, Litigation Lawyer of the Year in Illinois, 2025
Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, 2007-2025
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers, Litigation: General Commercial, 2023