Michael E. Martinez

Michael E. Martinez is the Managing Partner of K&L Gates’ Chicago office and focuses on antitrust and competition matters and commercial lawsuits and disputes. He represents domestic and international companies in multidistrict class actions, arbitrations, federal and state court litigation, and complex commercial matters. His practice includes antitrust claims, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, franchising, distribution, licensing, and emergency injunction matters involving advertising, trade secrets, and restrictive covenants.

Michael earned a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and a B.A. from Purdue University. During law school, he served on the Moot Court Board and earned recognition in the National Administrative Law Moot Court Competition, including a best brief award. His legal education supports a practice that combines complex litigation, competition analysis, appellate advocacy, and business counseling across high-stakes disputes and transactional issues.

Michael has represented corporations in cases involving Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, the Robinson-Patman Act, and state unfair competition statutes. He regularly advises on competition, mergers and acquisitions, distribution, and sales and marketing practices. His experience includes emergency injunction proceedings, appellate arguments before the Seventh Circuit, and counseling franchisors and manufacturers on distribution and licensing arrangements in domestic and international markets.

Michael E. Martinez is admitted in Illinois and before several federal courts, including the Seventh Circuit and Third Circuit. He serves on K&L Gates’ Management Committee and chairs the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms. His recognitions include Chambers USA for Antitrust in Illinois and Lawdragon’s Leading Litigators in America. His practice combines litigation strategy, regulatory analysis, business counseling, and leadership on complex competition matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Managing Partner, K&L Gates LLP
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Chair, Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms

Licensed State

• Illinois

Education

• University of Wisconsin Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Purdue University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges