Michael J. Laird

Michael J. Laird is a partner whose practice focuses on complex class actions and multidistrict litigation involving consumer protection, sports law, privacy, and data breaches. He handles major pretrial issues, develops litigation strategy, and pursues class certification in challenging cases. His work includes representing consumers, athletes, and financial institutions in disputes involving privacy incidents, alleged product harms, and other large-scale claims requiring coordinated litigation.

Michael earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School and a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His legal education strengthened his research, writing, and analytical skills for complex litigation. That academic foundation supports his work evaluating class claims, briefing difficult legal issues, and developing case theories. It supports the procedural demands of multidistrict and nationwide litigation.

Michael has obtained settlement awards for former NFL players suffering from cognitive decline. He helped certify a nationwide class of financial institutions in a data breach action. He serves on court-appointed leadership committees in litigation involving ParkMobile and Elanco, contributing to law and briefing, complaint drafting, and class certification work. He has also been appointed to leadership roles in litigation involving Independent Living Systems and alleged exposure of patient information.

Michael J. Laird brings focused experience to class actions involving consumer protection, sports, privacy, and data security. He is admitted in Minnesota, the Sixth Circuit, the District of Minnesota, and the Western District of Wisconsin. He belongs to the American, Minnesota State, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County bar associations. He has been recognized as a Minnesota Rising Star from 2021 through 2026 and participates in the Pro Se Project. His approach combines creative strategy, detailed preparation, and sustained advocacy across complex, coordinated litigation matters nationwide.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Zimmerman Reed LLP
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
• Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
• Member, Ramsey County Bar Association

Licensed State

• Minnesota

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD) Magna Cum Laude
• University of Wisconsin
  Bachelor of Science

Awards & Badges