Michael Droke
PEOPLE

Michael Droke

Partner
droke.michael@dorsey.com
Seattle P +1 (206) 903-8709 M +1 (206) 914-6745 F +1 (206) 260-9093 Palo Alto P +1 (650) 857-1717 M +1 (206) 914-6745 F +1 (650) 857-1288

Overview

MIKE STRIVES TO UNDERSTAND HIS CLIENTS’ BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND GOALS, AND TUNE HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO THOSE OBJECTIVES. 

Mike started his career as a client, not a lawyer. He represented the same company where he worked in management, thus “walking both sides of the street.” As a lawyer, Mike had devoted his practice to practical, results-oriented advice and litigation representation in situations where the law, facts, or business risks are ambiguous.

Mike’s practice is devoted to advising cooperatives, food, and agriculture businesses. He is firm-wide co-chair of the 200-lawyer Food, Beverages & Agriculture industry group. He acts as outside general counsel in that industry, handles corporate governance, and manages complicated domestic and international transactions.

On the business side, Mike developed Dorsey’s LegalMine Document Review Solution from concept to operation. He has also held leadership roles as Office Head for Seattle (where he negotiated a large office move, and the office was named one of Washington’s Best Workplaces) and as co-head of the Labor & Employment and other practice groups.

Education & Admissions

Santa Clara University School of Law (J.D., 1992), summa cum laude
Editor-In-Chief, Santa Clara Law Review

University of California, Berkeley (A.B., 1986)

Admissions

  • Washington
  • California
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Languages

  • German (conversational), Spanish (conversational), Italian (conversational)

News & Resources

Articles

Next on the Chopping Block: In Light of Recent Removals of the Agricultural Exemption from State Wage and Hour Laws, Employers Are Wondering Which Employees Are Exempt and for How Much Longer?
Washington’s Travel Time Trap for Employers
U.S. Supreme Court Decision Affects California Agricultural Growers
Nomads Working from Anywhere
Washington Dairy Workers Now Entitled to Overtime Pay
Tax chapter in Michael Droke et al, Cooperative Business Law: A Practical Guide to the Special Laws Governing Cooperatives: Third Edition
Ninth Circuit Holds that After-Acquired Evidence May Disqualify Plaintiffs Under the Americans With Disabilities Act
The Hammer Revealed: Mandatory Recall Authority Under The Food Safety Modernization Act
No Laughing Matter: Company Found Liable for Wrongfully Terminating Independent Contractor’s Agreement after a Complaint about a Discriminatory Joke Made by Another Independent Contractor
Oregon “Economic-Realities Test” Case is a Mixed Bag for Employers
Washington Supreme Courts Invalidates Overbroad Arbitration Agreement
Dorsey Mining in Difficult Markets Webinar
Seattle Restricts Use Of Criminal History In Hiring
EEOC’s New Guidance on Cancer, Diabetes, Epilepsy and Intellectual Disabilities
Prepare for H-1B Season!
U.S. Supreme Court Favors Arbitration in Employment Dispute
Missed Breaks May Lead to Overtime Pay
Washington Supreme Court Holds Sexual Orientation Harassment Unlawful
Reminder: Seattle Sick Leave and Safe Time Ordinance Goes Into Effect On September 1
"Law: Employment Law: Employers should beware of independent contractors, could create liability," Puget Sound Business Journal
Get Ready for H-1B Season!
City of Seattle to Require Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave and Safe Time
Contractor or Employee: Washington Court Expands Rule
Employee vs. Independent Contractor : Understanding Labour Laws Can Help Companies to Make the Most of Labour Forces
Independent Contractor or Employee: Getting It Right Is More Important Now Than Ever Before

News & Press Mentions

18 Dorsey Attorneys Named Thomson Reuters “Stand-Out Lawyers”
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Super Lawyers Recognizes 11 Dorsey Seattle Attorneys
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 12 Dorsey Lawyers and Four Practices in Seattle
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Super Lawyers Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Super Lawyers Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
Farm to Table Talk Podcast: Labor Supremes – Michael Droke
13 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2021 The Best Lawyers in America Employment Law Issue
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses SCOTUS Ruling in Favor of Growers Property Rights
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Comments on CA Uber, Lyft Drivers Now Employees
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses 5 Ways to Keep Retail Foodservice Alive
Super Lawyers Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses Coronavirus and Business Impact
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Comments on Another Romaine Recall
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses California Gig Worker Bill
Super Lawyers Recognizes 14 Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses Avocado Recall
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses Romaine Recall
12 Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019
Super Lawyers Recognizes 14 Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Seattle
13 Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018

Events & Speaking Engagements

Webinar Playback: How California’s Sweeping New Climate and Carbon Disclosure Laws May Impact Your Business
How California’s Sweeping New Climate and Carbon Disclosure Laws May Impact Your Business
TFACC NSAC NRECA Training for Those Charged with Governance - Cooperative Board of Direct Duties 2023
NSAC Conference Presentation July 2023
Dorsey NSAC Far West Webinar Modern Cooperatives Governance
Webinar Playback: What’s Gov’ Got to Do With It? Modern Cooperative Governance in Today’s Economy
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: The Wild, Waterless, West!
FB&A InterActive Dialogue: The Wild, Waterless West!
Webinar Playback: Implementing an I-9 Compliance Process
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Finance In The New Economy: ESG & Its Impacts on Financial Services
Webinar Playback: Ransomware, Cyber and Hacking – Oh My! Building Cyber Resilience in Today’s World
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Mergers & Acquisitions in Agriculture 2021 Series
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Four Pillars of Success
Webinar Playback: President Biden’s Mandatory Vaccination Executive Order: What We Know and What We Don’t Know
Webinar Playback: The Future of Agriculture Roundtable
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Capturing Value: Successful M&A Integration
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: The Deal Timeline and Process
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Best Practices on Presale Preparation
Webinar Playback: FB&A: Capitalizing Your Co-op: Financing Strategies to Retain the Cooperative Model
Webinar Playback: Marketing Communication in Uncertain Times: Social Media and Influencer Guidance
Webinar Playback: 5 Key Considerations in Agriculture’s Financially Uncertain Times
Webinar Playback: 3rd Annual Food Summit
Webinar Playback: Pivoting Post-Covid: Practical And Legal Considerations To Building Better Companies And Their Leaders
Webinar Playback: Phoenix Rising: Managing Your Company’s Recovery Without Getting Sued
Webinar Playback: Is Your Food Company Taking the Necessary Steps In This Coronavirus Crisis?

Select Presentations

  • Surviving the Food Recall, Consumer Cooperative Management Association Tour, June 7, 2019
  • How to Survive a Food Recall, NSAC Western Chapter Meeting, May 24, 2019
  • Webinar Playback: Prop 65 Risks for Food & Beverage Industry, January 30, 2019
  • Risk Management and Ethics for In-House Counsel Seminar, September 25, 2017

Industries & Practices

Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)
  • Antitrust & Competition Law
  • Banking & Financial Institutions
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Cooperative Law
  • Corporate Governance & Compliance
  • Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)
  • Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
  • International Trade
  • Labor & Employment
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Products Liability

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Trustee, Washington Athletic Club Board of Governors, Executive Committee member Chair of Food & Beverage Committee
  • Speaker, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Legal, Tax / Accounting Committee
  • Member, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
  • Founding Member and Past President, Association for Corporate Growth

Accolades

Chambers USA 2023Chambers 2022Chambers USA 2021  Ranked in Chambers USA 2020  Ranked in Chambers USA 2019 Leading Individual  
Chambers USA 2018 Leading Individual  Ranked in USA Chambers 2017 Leading Individual  Ranked In - USA Chambers and Partners 2016 - Leading Individual   
Top Ranked - Chambers USA 2015 - Leading Individual 

  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Labor & Employment), 2009-2023
  • Recognized as a "Stand-Out Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters, 2024
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©2007-2024

Diversity Inclusion Recognition 2023

  • Contributed more than 50 Diversity hours, 2023
  • Listed as a Washington Super Lawyer, 2003, 2005-2022
  • Dorsey & Whitney – Scales of Justice Team Award (The World Ventilator Foundation), 2021
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America Employment Law Issue, 2021

Contributed 50+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020

Michael Droke