Michelle A. Freeman

Senior Counsel

Michelle A. Freeman

Senior Counsel

Michelle A. Freeman is a senior counsel and litigation lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. She is a member of the Government Enforcement Defense & Investigations, Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Antitrust & Competition Practices. Michelle represents corporations and individuals in criminal, antitrust and regulatory government investigations and white collar criminal defense matters. She conducts internal corporate investigations involving state and federal authorities including the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency. To that end, Michelle investigates potential violations of state and federal law prior to the government becoming involved and counsels clients on how to avoid future risks. In addition to her work on internal and external investigations, Michelle represents clients on a wide range of commercial litigation issues.

Michelle was a summer associate with Foley in 2014. Prior to joining Foley, she participated in the Geneva Fellowship Program at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights where she worked on the implementation and enforcement of the United Nations Human Trafficking Protocol. Michelle has held positions as an intern for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and judicial intern for the Honorable Judge John W. Darrah, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Michelle worked for several years as a senior policy and advocacy specialist for an international women’s organization where she focused on the congressional appropriations process and authorizing domestic and international antiviolence initiatives connected to the Violence Against Women Act and related state and federal legislation.

 

Representative Experience

  • Served as pool defense counsel for multiple employees in criminal and civil proceedings conducted by federal and state agencies, regarding environmental emissions from certain automobiles relating to alleged defeat devices, and represented employees in the related multidistrict civil litigation
  • Represented advertising agency in a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal antitrust investigation, helping the client avoid criminal and civil liability
  • Represented employee in a federal criminal investigation into potential corruption in dealings between an automotive company and the United Auto Workers union
  • Represented hospital in a civil dispute with a subcontracting physician health care group
  • Investigated allegedly stolen manufacturing goods and represented the company in related state and federal investigations, helping the client avoid any criminal or civil liability

Awards and Recognition

  • Received,  Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch recognition for:
    • Commercial Litigation (2022-2024)
    • Government Relations Practice (2021-2024)
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution (2024)

Presentations and Publications

27 February 2024 Honors and Awards

Steven Hilfinger Named to Hall of Fame, Michelle Freeman as Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Steven Hilfinger and senior counsel Michelle Freeman are honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
27 September 2023 Manufacturing Industry Advisor

What Every Multinational Company Should Know About...The Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act

The United States Department of Justice actively enforces the Sherman Act within the U.S. and internationally.
17 August 2023 Honors and Awards

Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America

Foley & Lardner LLP proudly announced today that 236 of the firm’s attorneys across 20 U.S. offices have received recognition in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
30 March 2023 Article

Prepare For Extraterritorial Enforcement Of US Antitrust Law

The U.S. Department of Justice recently reaffirmed its commitment to act decisively and to aggressively investigate and prosecute antitrust violations that affect consumers in the U.S.
29 March 2023 Health Care Law Today

Growing Scrutiny of Private Equity in Health Care

The presence of private equity investment has exploded in recent years in all areas of the health care sector.
27 February 2023 Health Care Law Today

Health Care & Life Sciences Sector Top Trends for 2023

Foley is primed to strategically advise health care and life sciences companies through every step of their journey and all stages of their lifecycle.