Flanagan, John E.

Michael has been a partner at GWC since 1995 and started his legal career with the firm, first in 1983 as a law clerk and then in 1986 as an associate.  During his career, he has represented numerous clients with brain injuries, multiple fractures, paralysis, traumatic amputations and for wrongful death.  In particular, Michael has represented clients in the notable cases involving the scaffold collapse at the John Hancock Tower in Chicago and the I-294 / I-80 / I-394 flyover ramp bridge collapse.  He also handles cases involving serious injuries due to construction negligence, medical malpractice, products liability, municipal liability, motor vehicle and transportation negligence as well as other aspects of tort liability.

Michael has obtained over $50 million dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients at GWC. He has had numerous million and multi-million dollar jury verdicts and settlements  on behalf of clients  throughout the state of Illinois, including Cook, Dupage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Sangamon, and Jo Davies Counties. Recently, along with partner Louis Cairo,  Michael obtained a jury verdict of over $2.8 million dollars for a painter who injured his heal, which is a record verdict in Jo Davies County.  He also recently obtained a jury verdict in Cook County  of over $3.2 million dollars for an electrician who injured his knee , after turning down the defenses offer of $300,000 before trial. He has been recognized by the Chicago Lawyer Magazine as one of the leading attorneys in the entire state for the number of multi-million dollar settlements obtained for his clients throughout the State of Illinois.  Michael has also been honored by his peers in the Illinois Super Lawyers publication for his outstanding results on behalf of his seriously injured clients.

Michael has conducted seminars across the state, educating construction tradesmen and other working men and women about their rights under the Illinois Worker's Compensation Act, Construction Negligence Laws and the FELA.  He also mentors many of the young lawyers at GWC and has administrative responsibilities over certain aspects of the firm's prestigious litigation practice.

Michael is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Illinois Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association.  He received his law degree from the DePaul University College of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis.  He is married and has three children.