Featured Madisonian

Michael A Wilder, Alumnus

Michael A. Wilder (SR 2003) is an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C. in its Chicago office.  Mr. Wilder practices in the area of employment and labor law representing management at the nation’s largest labor and employment law firm.  His practice includes advising and representing employers in a broad range of employment law matters, including employment discrimination issues arising under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act.  He is licensed to practice in the state of Illinois, the Northern District of Illinois, and will soon be licensed in the Eastern District of Michigan.  He has been with the firm since August 2006.    

After graduating from Madison in 2003, Mr. Wilder moved to Chicago to attend law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law. While a law student, Michael served as President of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Captain of the BLSA Mock Trial Team, and Alumni Chair of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International.  He also served as an editor for The Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal, a judicial extern for the Honorable Diane Larsen of the Circuit Court of Cook County, a summer associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C., and an extern for the National Labor Relations Board.  Mr. Wilder has also been active in the community as a mentor and board member of High Jump.  Upon graduation from Chicago-Kent, Mr. Wilder received a certificate in Labor and Employment Law and was inducted into the Prestigious Bar and Gavel Society.       

Mr. Wilder credits his writing, researching, and analytical abilities to Madison.  According to Mr. Wilder, “Madison laid the foundation for me to think, write, and speak persuasively, all of which are necessary to the practice of law.  While Professor Dorr challenged me to analyze everything from the structure of a sentence to the contours of the Mona Lisa, Professor Jezierski taught me the importance of researching, and Dean Garnett illustrated the essence of public speaking.  I personally credit much of my success to Madison and its esteemed faculty, staff, and students. ”    

Mr. Wilder is originally from Detroit, Michigan.