Overview
As a former plaintiffs’ lawyer Mike knows how the other side strategizes. Having previously represented individuals in class actions across the country, he leverages that knowledge today as a defense attorney. As a member of the firm’s Class Action Service Group, Mike draws on his experience litigating claims concerning false advertising, products liability, data breaches, and whistleblower suits under state and federal False Claims Acts. He has litigated class actions through class certification; and, in cases arising out of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), he has taken lead on fact discovery and expert discovery, including presenting corporate witnesses and expert witnesses for testimony.
As part of the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Service Group, Mike counsels clients, in a variety of industries, on certain privacy compliance concerns surrounding the existing and emerging regulations and statutes. He has regularly advised clients on internal policies and implementation of those policies. He has a particular focus on compliance with biometric laws and federal consumer laws.
Mike speaks conversational Korean and is also experienced in sophisticated e-discovery practices. With an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems, Mike understands how to work with IT and is familiar with issues concerning ESI practices. He also counsels clients on response and legal obligations in the wake of data incidents and how to best approach or strategize an incident to reduce exposure in potential breach litigation.
Experience
Membership & Involvement
- Member: Illinois State Bar Association
Resources & Insights
Alerts
Published Works
Blog Posts
- BIPA’s Discretionary Damages in Practice: BNSF Gets Its Shot to Reduce a Historic $228 Million JudgementBIPA’s Discretionary Damages in Practice: BNSF Gets Its Shot to Reduce a Historic $228 Million Judgement
The Illinois Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA) provides that a prevailing party “may” recover liquidated damages for a violation of the statute. Addressing the potential for “annihilative liability” in White Castle, the Illinois Supreme Court provided a (small) break in the clouds for Illinois businesses. The Illinois court explained that a trial court “would certainly possess the discretion to fashion a damage award that (1) fairly compensated claiming class members and (2) included an amount designed to deter future violations, without destroying defendant’s business.”
Education
University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., 2016, magna cum laude
The University of Arizona, B.S., 2012
Admissions
- Illinois
Languages
- Korean