Mike Resch

MIKE RESCH focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and investigations, with a concentration on representing food and beverage, dietary supplement, and consumer packaged goods clients, as well as matters involving accounting and financial issues. He has experience in a wide range of litigation, including jury trials, appeals, matters involving governmental agencies, and internal investigations. Having served as general counsel for a global food company, Mike brings a practical perspective to developing creative strategies designed to optimize results for clients.

After more than 15 years representing clients in high-stakes litigation, Michael transitioned to serve as general counsel of a globally branded food manufacturing company. In that role, he had responsibility for food safety and regulatory affairs and worked with in-house and outside experts to conduct root cause analyses and develop corrective and preventative actions. This experience provides insight into the daily challenges his clients face and aids in developing and executing strategic approaches to litigation and other dispute resolution, as well as proactive measures designed to avoid disputes.

Mike began his career trying cases for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Virginia. He has represented clients in litigation, regulatory and white-collar matters, and investigations, and has practiced in state and federal trial and appellate courts. His experience includes false advertising and employment class actions, professional liability cases, trade secret misappropriation, and other complex litigation, including actions relating to alleged contaminants in products, such as heavy metals, glyphosate, PFAS, mycotoxins, and phthalates. He has also represented clients before the FDA and USDA in connection with ingredient labeling, recall-related issues, and the National Organic Program.

• Kind LLC in multiple class actions in New York and Illinois district courts challenging a product name and ingredient name.
• Campbell Soup in a successful false advertising class action in the Northern District of Florida.
• Bolthouse Farms utilizing preemption defense against organic labeling allegations.
• Chobani in a successful dismissal in the Northern District of California in a class action with respect to the labeling of Greek yogurt products.
• A Big 4 accounting firm in arbitration arising out of claims scrutinizing the firm’s audit.
• Amy’s Kitchen in numerous victories against numerous class actions alleging false advertising based on an ingredient name.
• Food manufacturers in donning/doffing class actions in California state court.
• More than 10 clients in the food and beverage industry in connection with FDA draft guidance and related written comments.
• USDA meetings and related written submissions in connection with organic ingredient labeling.
• A food manufacturing company in the development of a comprehensive Covid-19 response plan, including planning safety, regulatory and litigation strategy, and opening a Covid-19 vaccine clinic.

The above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.