About Coady Law

Michael is widely recognized for representing companies in environmental enforcement actions brought by state regulators, as well as citizen suits involving alleged environmental contamination. He regularly advises manufacturers, industrial facilities, waste management companies, municipalities, developers, contractors, transportation companies, and businesses facing complex environmental compliance issues. His experience spans every stage of a matter-from regulatory investigations and agency negotiations to trial and appellate advocacy.

In addition to his environmental practice, Michael has spent more than twenty years defending businesses and individuals in high-exposure civil litigation. His experience includes catastrophic trucking and automobile accidents, premises liability, property damage, nuisance and trespass claims, insurance coverage disputes, employment litigation, breach of contract actions, and wrongful death cases. He has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts throughout Illinois and has argued appeals before multiple Illinois Appellate Districts as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Michael is particularly valued for his ability to see beyond the immediate dispute. Rather than simply responding to litigation, he works with business owners and executives to identify operational risks, strengthen compliance programs, and implement practical legal strategies that reduce exposure before litigation occurs. That philosophy aligns directly with our mission of providing proactive, predictable legal counsel that becomes part of a client’s long-term business strategy rather than simply an emergency resource.

Within the environmental law community, Michael is recognized as a respected leader and educator. He has served as Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Environmental Law Section Council and has helped lead one of Illinois’ premier environmental law conferences, where attorneys, regulators, consultants, and industry leaders gather to discuss emerging developments in environmental regulation and enforcement. He regularly contributes to continuing legal education programs and remains active in shaping the future of environmental law throughout Illinois.

Michael’s reputation for excellence has earned repeated recognition from both Illinois Super Lawyers and Illinois Leading Lawyers, honors that reflect the respect he has earned from judges, fellow attorneys, and clients throughout his career.

At COADY|LAW, Michael leads the firm’s Environmental, Regulatory Compliance, and Business Litigation practice. He partners with companies ranging from closely held businesses to sophisticated industrial clients, helping them manage legal risk, defend complex litigation, and build long-term compliance strategies that support sustainable growth.

Whether negotiating with regulators, defending a company in high-stakes litigation, or advising executives before a problem develops, Michael brings the same steady approach: understand the business, solve the problem efficiently, and protect the client’s future.

Selected Publications

• Illinois Expands General Jurisdiction Over Defendants in Toxic Tort Cases – Illinois State Bar Association, Environmental & Natural Resources Law Newsletter (2025). Analysis of Illinois’ expanded jurisdiction over businesses in toxic tort litigation.
• Streamlining Environmental Permitting Is Part of the White House AI Action Plan – Illinois State Bar Association (2025). Commentary on the intersection of federal AI policy and environmental permitting.
• Appellate Court Upholds Illinois Coal Ash Regulations – Illinois State Bar Association (2024). Review of significant Illinois environmental regulatory developments.
• S. Supreme Court Limits USEPA Authority in West Virginia v. EPA – Co-author, Illinois State Bar Association (2022). Analysis of one of the most significant environmental decisions issued by the United States Supreme Court.

Professional Speaking & CLE Presentations

• Frequent speaker on environmental law, regulatory compliance, and environmental litigation for attorneys, businesses, and industry organizations.
• Co-Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Annual Environmental & Natural Resources Law Conference, helping develop educational programming for environmental lawyers, regulators, engineers, and consultants throughout Illinois.
• Presenter at continuing legal education (CLE) programs addressing environmental enforcement, regulatory developments, and litigation strategy.

Leadership

• Former Chair, Illinois State Bar Association Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section Council.
• Co-Chair, Illinois State Bar Association Annual Environmental & Natural Resources Law Conference.
• Past President, Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce.
• Active advisor and educator on emerging environmental regulatory developments affecting Illinois businesses.

Why Businesses Seek Michael’s Counsel

Michael’s combination of trial experience, environmental regulatory knowledge, and leadership within the Illinois environmental law community allows him to advise companies not only when litigation arises, but long before problems become enforcement actions or lawsuits. He regularly helps businesses interpret new regulations, evaluate operational risk, develop compliance strategies, and train management teams on evolving environmental obligations.