Michael E. Martinez
Michael E. Martínez concentrates his practice on multi-district class actions and arbitrations involving a wide spectrum of antitrust and complex commercial litigation issues. Michael has represented numerous global and domestic corporations in a wide variety of federal and state court cases involving antitrust claims under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act and the Robinson-Patman Act as well as unfair competition and deceptive trade practice claims under numerous state statutes. Michael regularly counsels clients on competition, mergers and acquisitions, distribution, and sales and marketing practices.
Michael has substantial experience seeking and defending emergency injunction matters involving false advertising, trade secrets, covenants not to compete and unfair competition. He has successfully argued before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and obtained immediate injunctive relief for clients in antitrust, franchising and intellectual property cases.
Michael has represented successfully numerous national and international franchisors and manufacturers in a myriad of franchising and distribution issues. He has substantial experience counseling both domestic and international clients regarding distribution and licensing arrangements.
Michael has been recognized as America's Top 100 Bet the Company Litigators in antitrust and class action defense and selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers list for Antitrust Litigation. He was recently also recognized by Chambers USA in their 2024 guide.
Michael is also the Managing Partner of the Chicago office of K&L Gates and a member of the firm’s Management Committee. He is also the Chair of the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms, one of the largest and oldest organizations focused on the advancement of diverse lawyers in Chicago.
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Antitrust in Illinois, 2022-2025
- Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2025
- “Business Risks and Mitigation Strategies for Japanese Companies in an Era of Increased Antitrust Enforcement,” K&L Gates Event, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, September 2016 (co-presenter)
- "Business Risks and Mitigation Strategies in an Era of Increased Antitrust Enforcement," K&L Gates Event, Chicago, November 2015 (co-presenter)
- Co-author, “Ninth Circuit: Apple Case Leads to Additional Clarity on Section 1 Claims,” GCR US Courts Annual Review, Ch. 7 (4th ed.), 2023
- “U.S. Courts Annual Review, Ninth Circuit,” Global Competition Review, 6 July 2020 (co-author)
- Mentioned, “Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law 2024,” Crain’s Chicago Business, 9 September 2024
- Quoted, “Pierre Cardin, Licensee May Have Breached Competition Law, Says EU Regulator,” The Fashion Law, 31 July 2023
- Mentioned, “T-Mobile Says Suit Challenging $26B Merger Lacks Standing,” Law360, 7 December 2022
- Mentioned, “T-Mobile Drops Bid To Pause Private Merger Suit,” Law360, 13 December 2022
- Mentioned, “CALIFORNIA: Parties Seek to Modify Sealing Procedures,” Class Action Prospector, 16 January 2023
- Mentioned, "T-Mobile's Transfer Request Denied In Antitrust Class Suit Over Merger With Sprint," Lexis Legal News: Mealey's Daily News Update, 19 October 2022
- Mentioned, "Subscribers Fight T-Mobile's Bid To Transfer Merger Case," Law360, 20 September 2022
- Mentioned, "DOJ Drops Criminal Price-Fixing Case Against Chicken Cos.," Law360, 15 September 2022
