John J. Michels Jr.

John is a Chicago-based partner in Baker & McKenzie LLP, an international law firm. John is a litigation attorney with an extensive labor and employment law practice. He has worked in every aspect of labor and employment law practice, from advising clients on basic human resource issues through all aspects of litigation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, local and state fair employment practice agencies, the National Labor Relations Board, and state and federal courts.

In the course of his work, he has developed particular expertise in dealing with the employment and labor issues surrounding the formation and operation of high-tech companies, particularly in such areas as stock option agreements and entitlements, corporate reorganizations, and employee issues in the electronic workplace.
He has written articles for a variety of publications relating to employment issues. He also has substantial experience in international business transactions in Russia, and is the firm’s only National Football League Player’s Association registered agent.

John is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. He won an injunctive relief in a case against the federal government over the military’s anthrax vaccination program. He is admitted to practice in Tennessee, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Illinois. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and Duke Law School.