Michael I. Richardson

Michael I. Richardson is head of the Employee Benefits Practice Group at Franczek Radelet P.C.

Mike brings a one of a kind perspective to a diverse clientele that includes some of the world’s largest corporations and public bodies, entrepreneurial businesses, mid-cap companies, municipalities and various employer associations. With his extensive experience in employee benefits, collective bargaining and union-management relations, Mike draws upon his unique background afforded by his work with private and public sector employers as well as multiemployer benefit plans to fashion creative and effective solutions for employers.

The combination of Mike’s experience has resulted in significant value for employers. His practice provides an opportunity for him to share his knowledge with employers from one industry or one size employer to another. On a daily basis he helps employers achieve goals through imaginative planning and thought, and he does so by asking "What if?" and "Why not?" throughout the initial strategy discussions.

Mike’s experience has made him a leader in the multiemployer benefit plan community, and he continues to be a leader in collective bargaining, serving as chief spokesperson with regard to numerous municipal and corporate bargaining relationships. The complexity of his practice does not interfere with his skill and ability to make complicated issues easy to understand for all those involved.

During law school, Mike was an editor of the Notre Dame Law Review (1985 - 1987). He regularly serves as a lecturer for the National and Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association, Illinois Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Mike also serves as a member of the John Marshall Law School Graduate Employee Benefit Programs Advisory Board.

He has published numerous articles on employee benefits topics, including "Securing Employee Welfare Benefits Through ERISA," "Funding Post-Retirement Medical Benefits through a VEBA" and "Protecting Your Fund from Unreimbursable Future Medical Costs."

Representative Experience  click to view

News

• 28 Franczek Radelet Attorneys Named Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Publications

• Health Care Reform Implementation – Additional Guidance Issued
• Another Federal Appeals Court Presumes that Fiduciaries’ Employer Stock Investment Decisions Are Legal
• Health Care Reform – Dependent Coverage Regulations
• View All »

Events

• 2011 Employment Law Conference
• RIFs and Layoffs: The Next Chapter
• Health Care Reform Act: What School Attorneys Need to Know Right Now
• Proactive Labor and Employment Policies and Procedures for Financially Troubled Times
• Cicero Youth Task Force Conference
• View All »