Michael Victor

Michael Victor is a Partner at OKGC Law, LLC. Michael is trusted as a key litigator, trial lawyer, counselor, and adviser for his clients. Michael draws upon on his personal background growing up in in a family of public servants (e.g. law enforcement professionals, government officials, police, public workers, teachers, firefighters, nurses, etc.). He provides tailor-made legal advice to respond to the needs and duties of governmental entities and their officials, employees, and workers.

Michael’s track record demonstrates his commitment to his clients. He has 13 years of experience and is recognized as a leader for the Illinois law enforcement and public servant communities. Since 2015, he has been selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" List, a distinction limited to fewer than 2.5% of lawyers in Illinois. Michael is an established lecturer and educator — he is available for speaking engagements upon request. In his practice, Michael focuses on the following areas.

• Law Enforcement and First Responder Counsel and Defense: Michael has litigated a variety of claims involving law enforcement and first responders, including civil rights disputes, constitutional actions, and personal injury lawsuits. He represents police, command staff, sheriffs, deputies, telecommunicators, 911 dispatchers, firefighters, public workers, paramedics, and medical personnel. He handles all types of cases involving (and affecting) the first responder community (e.g. use of force, arrests, searches, motor vehicle pursuits, warrants, and medical treatment). Michael has experience in both state and federal court and his representation has driven positive changes in the law. Michael is regarded as a go-to captain and resource for his clients.

• Governmental/Public Entities General Tort and Liability Defense: Michael first chairs the defense in diverse cases involving all public employees, including those involving wrongful death and serious personal injuries, vehicle collisions, equipment malfunctions, and improper signage and vehicle code compliance. He also represents government officials in non-monetary claims and those involving the general decision-making and operations of local democracy. His clients include: public workers, teachers, firefighters, nurses, county and municipal board members, mayors, state’s attorneys, highway commissioners, code officers, treasurers. In his practice, Michael combines his innovative perspective of common law torts (i.e. duty, breach, and causation) and Illinois statutes with his extensive personal and professional understanding of Illinois government. Not easily intimidated, Michael has won landmark rulings in cases with important issues and big stakes.

• Governmental Entities and Public Entities Consultancy: Michael appreciates that smart and proactive advice can both create solutions and prevent disputes. He is on-call as an ally to provide efficient and strategic counsel for Illinois government officials and employees. Michael has developed a reputation as a primary point of lead counsel, due to his dedication and his deep reservoir of subject matter expertise, both in Illinois law and how it is applied. Michael is ready to help manage risk, advise on policy, assist with operations, and avoid lawsuits.

• Commercial, Employment, and Business Litigation: Michael represents and counsels small and mid-sized businesses, educational and governmental institutions, and individuals in a broad range of commercial litigation matters as well as general business issues. Michael’s successes involve managing contract disputes of all types, including employment law and litigation, tortious and fraudulent business practices, enforcement of employment agreements and restrictive covenants, and shareholder, officer and ownership disagreements.

• Contract Enforcement and Defense: Michael helps his business clients to seek temporary restraining orders, injunctive relief, and damages. He advocates for employers when ex-employees violate the law and unfairly compete, breaching restrictive covenants, such as non-compete clauses or agreements. Illegal actions by individuals who breach these agreements can be devastating to businesses and organizations and Michael is prepared to vindicate his clients.

• Private Individual Counsel: The cornerstone of the attorney-client relationship is trust. Based on this foundation, the people in Michael’s professional and personal networks turn to him for guidance. They know he will point them in the right direction and deliver a path of confident counsel. Michael is ready to assemble championship team and he will stand by your side. No matter your legal situation or, issue, Michael is available to help and potentially serve as private individual counsel to ensure that your rights are protected.

Michael’s Victories

• Vindicated officers, and won summary judgment, in civil suit where the police protected first responders and civilians against a bystander who sought to interfere with an ongoing and active house fire scene.
• Won dismissal in multi-million dollar lawsuit against Illinois county where families sought to blame the county for a convicted felon’s criminal shooting of victims at a Tennessee Waffle House.
• Secured a summary judgment victory in a case where individuals harassed a mother who taking care of her infant child; after she reported them, the police investigated and arrested the harassers, and the subsequent suit was thrown out of court.
• Won a landmark Seventh Circuit case involving allegations that police falsely arrested a bystander who had threatened police officers.
• Defeated the United States Department of Justice at trial in sexual harassment action after obtaining partial summary judgment on behalf of county.
• Earned not guilty verdict at trial for police officers in excessive force case.
• Won victory in the Seventh Circuit, which affirmed summary judgment victory for village and several police officers in a false arrest/wrongful imprisonment case.
• Secured a judgment at trial for manufacturer of power generator sets in $10 million breach of warranty case, a ruling which was affirmed by the appellate court.
• Assisted in representing a plaintiff car parts manufacturer in enforcing five-year requirements contract, leading to multi-million settlement during trial on damages.
• Negotiated favorable settlement for village and its officials in complex commercial/constitutional litigation brought by a large commercial shopping center, which claimed millions of dollars in damages.
• Won summary judgment and achieved total victory in vehicle accident case involving serious injuries.
• Obtained complete dismissal of suit alleging that that city and its police officers used excessive force and failed to provide medical help, allegedly resulting in brain damage to the plaintiff.
• Represented city in defeating request for a temporary restraining order and won complete dismissal of claims in suit by a grocery store, which had claimed that the city was destroying its business.
• Earned dismissal of suit for a county and its sheriff where the plaintiff alleged the she was impaled by a stake during a parade at a town festival.
• Represented village officials in defeating a challenging political party's emergency request to have its party members immediately take office as trustees.
• Secured summary judgment for county and its deputy, who struck the plaintiff with a squad car, resulting in a leg amputation.

Education

• Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 2008 (with Honors; Moot Court Honors Society)
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A., 2005 (Dean’s List)

Admissions

• United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (General Bar and Trial Bar)
• United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
• State of Illinois