MICHELLE RAMIREZ is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and litigation strategist. She has served as lead counsel for numerous companies in a variety of industries, including pharmaceutical and medical device, consumer products, sports, and manufacturing. She has appeared as lead and/or trial counsel in numerous federal and state courts across the country, and has taken/defended critical fact and expert witness depositions all over the world. In addition, Michelle advises clients on matters arising out of recalls, contractual disputes, artificial intelligence, and regulatory matters with potential to impact clients’ interests or reputations.
Michelle was recognized as a 2025 “Notable Litigator and Trial Attorney” by Crain’s Chicago Business. She is also ranked by Chambers USA in Product Liability & Mass Torts—Nationwide (2023–2025) and Illinois Litigation: Product Liability (2025). Benchmark Litigation recognized Michelle as a “Future Star” in Commercial Litigation and Product Liability—Nationwide and Illinois (2024–2025). Clients praise her legal prowess, saying “Michelle is very credible and likeable. Jurors react well to her” and she is “excellent at customer service and really polished in her delivery. She also has a great strategic mind.” (Chambers USA 2025). Michelle was named to the 2024 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin “Women in Law Award” list and recognized for her legal work and leadership. She was also honored with the “Emerging Leader Award” at the 2024 Iowa Law Alumni Awards. She has been featured in numerous publications such as Euromoney LMG Life Sciences, Law360, Bloomberg Law, and The Am Law Litigation Daily.
“She is one of my favorite outside counsel. Michelle is very smart, has a good demeanor, and is very likeable. Every juror loves her and finds her to be convincing.”
Chambers USA 2025
A leader within the firm, Michelle is a co-chair of Chicago SidleyWomen, and serves on several committees including the Inclusion committee and a member of Sidley’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force. She also is a former member of the Summer Associate committee (2016–2024). Prior to joining Sidley, Michelle was a staff attorney at Legal Aid Society and represented survivors of domestic violence in a variety of civil litigation matters and evidentiary hearings in state court, including emergency and temporary orders of protection, and prior to law school, was an eighth grade English teacher at a public school in Las Vegas, Nevada through Teach For America.