Michael F. Hughes

Mike is a partner in Amundsen Davis’s Labor & Employment Service Group. For more than two decades, he has represented employers in labor relations, employment litigation and workplace counseling. His clients span construction, manufacturing, food service and other businesses. His practice places particular emphasis on traditional labor relations, alongside the employment disputes and day-to-day workforce issues employers face.

Mike represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board in unfair labor practice and representation proceedings. He advises on labor-management relations, union organizing campaigns and related workplace matters, and has served as lead negotiator and advisor in negotiations for initial and successor collective bargaining agreements. He also represents employers in grievance and arbitration proceedings. In this work, he helps clients address the legal, operational and economic considerations of collective bargaining. His practice includes defending employers in ERISA litigation involving delinquent contribution, withdrawal liability and other claims brought by multi-employer pension and benefit plans.

In employment litigation, Mike defends employers against discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims under federal and state law, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. He handles wage and hour disputes under the Fair Labor Standards Act and comparable state laws, including class and collective actions. He also represents employers in restrictive covenant and trade secret disputes, including matters seeking temporary or permanent injunctive relief.

Mike’s counseling practice addresses workforce management and compliance with state and federal employment laws. He advises employers on hiring, discipline, termination, workplace investigations, employee accommodations, and I-9 and E-Verify requirements. He also helps develop workplace policies and procedures intended to reduce risk and support effective operations.

• Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 2003 High Honors
• Illinois Institute of Technology, B.S., 1993

• Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers list: 2026
• Selected to The Best Lawyers in America^® in Employment Law - Management: 2026, 2027

• HR Peer Group: Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) 
• Board of Directors: Fox Valley Association General Contractors
• Member: Illinois State Bar Association; Chicagoland Associated General Contractors

• Conducting the Employment Practices Audit 2023 EditionPublication, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2023
• Politicians Aim To Force Unionization In The Private SectorThe Illinois Manufacturer Magazine, August 2, 2021
• Illinois Employment Forms-Online VersionPublication, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, March 2021