Michael W. Padgett is a Partner in the Indianapolis, Indiana office of Jackson Lewis LLP.

Mr. Padgett's practice covers a broad range of employment litigation and traditional labor matters. His litigation experience includes defending claims of race, age, national origin, and gender discrimination, as well as sexual harassment, unlawful retaliation, wage and hour claims (including class actions), non-compete matters, and occupational safety and health matters. Mr. Padgett has handled these matters in federal and state courts in several states, as well as in the Seventh and Fifth U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals. Mr. Padgett has extensive experience in defending claims before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, and state and local labor and employment agencies.

Mr. Padgett has broad experience in traditional labor matters, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, representing employers in grievance arbitration proceedings, handling unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board, and defending employers in breach of contract litigation. He served as lead labor counsel for the owner in negotiating the project labor agreement governing the construction of a new NFL football stadium in Indianapolis.

Mr. Padgett routinely counsels clients on a variety of labor and employment issues, conducts employee training seminars, and speaks on employment-related topics to various organizations.

Mr. Padgett is a member of Indiana State Bar Association (Labor and Employment Committee) and the Indianapolis Bar Association (Labor and Employment Committee). He is admitted to practice in Indiana, as well as before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana and the Northern District of Oklahoma, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Seventh Circuits.

Mr. Padgett is a member of the Indiana SHRM Board and serves as the Director of Legislative Affairs. He also serves on the Employment Law Committee of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Padgett was recognized as a "Leader in his Field" in the 2012 Chambers USA Legal Guide.

Mr. Padgett earned his J.D., cum laude, from the Indiana University School of Law. He earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering technology from Purdue University, and he worked as a mechanical engineer in Indianapolis for four years prior to entering law school. Before embarking on the private practice of law, Mr. Padgett served as Chief Counsel to the Indiana Department of Labor.

Published Works

Articles

"But What About the Giant Inflatable Rat?: NLRB Addresses Unconventional Union Protests"
The Workplace Lawyer (Indiana State Bar Association) (Fall 2007) [Author]

"Practicing Before the National Labor Relations Board"
The Employment and Labor Law Handbook for Indiana Lawyers (2005) [Author]

Bar & Professional Association Memberships

Indiana State Bar Association

Indianapolis Bar Association

Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Indiana SHRM