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 is ranked by Chambers USA in Product Liability & Mass Torts – Nationwide (2023–2024) and Benchmark Litigation as a “Future Star” in Commercial Litigation and Product Liability – Nationwide and Illinois (2024–2025). Clients praise her legal prowess, saying “She’s a rising star. I have been impressed with her courtroom skills” and “provides excellent client service that brings tremendous value” (Chambers USA 2023). She has also been featured in numerous publications such as Euromoney LMG Life Sciences, Law360, Bloomberg Law, and The Am Law Litigation Daily.
“Michelle is an excellent lawyer and impressive at oral arguments,” and “she is very good with the business side and I am confident she will keep the commercial realities of the case at hand. She is fantastic to work with.”
Chambers USA 2024
A leader within the firm, Michelle is a co-chair of Chicago SidleyWomen, and serves on several committees including the Diversity, Equity & 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.