Michael Droke
PEOPLE

Michael Droke

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

Experience

Client Achievements

Recent Representative Transactions

Dorsey & Whitney Advises Cooperative Northwest Grain Growers on Merger with Mid Columbia Producers

News & Resources

Articles

Striking Workers in Washington Will Be Eligible to Receive Unemployment Benefits
May 27, 2025
Washington Employers Must Be Careful about Which Employees are Required to Enter into Non-Compete Agreements
February 5, 2025
Yes, you can be liable for your employee’s online posts!
September 30, 2024
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?
June 22, 2022
Washington’s Travel Time Trap for Employers
September 24, 2021
U.S. Supreme Court Decision Affects California Agricultural Growers
June 23, 2021
Nomads Working from Anywhere
January 15, 2021
Washington Dairy Workers Now Entitled to Overtime Pay
November 9, 2020
Tax chapter in Michael Droke et al, Cooperative Business Law: A Practical Guide to the Special Laws Governing Cooperatives: Third Edition
June 26, 2020
Ninth Circuit Holds that After-Acquired Evidence May Disqualify Plaintiffs Under the Americans With Disabilities Act
April 21, 2020
The Hammer Revealed: Mandatory Recall Authority Under The Food Safety Modernization Act
November 8, 2018
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
August 6, 2014
Oregon “Economic-Realities Test” Case is a Mixed Bag for Employers
December 30, 2013
Washington Supreme Courts Invalidates Overbroad Arbitration Agreement
September 13, 2013
Program Materials: Mining in Difficult Markets
September 10, 2013
Seattle Restricts Use Of Criminal History In Hiring
June 11, 2013
EEOC’s New Guidance on Cancer, Diabetes, Epilepsy and Intellectual Disabilities
May 20, 2013
Prepare for H-1B Season!
March 18, 2013
U.S. Supreme Court Favors Arbitration in Employment Dispute
November 26, 2012
Missed Breaks May Lead to Overtime Pay
October 31, 2012
Washington Supreme Court Holds Sexual Orientation Harassment Unlawful
September 14, 2012
Reminder: Seattle Sick Leave and Safe Time Ordinance Goes Into Effect On September 1
August 29, 2012
"Law: Employment Law: Employers should beware of independent contractors, could create liability," Puget Sound Business Journal
August 24, 2012
Get Ready for H-1B Season!
March 7, 2012
City of Seattle to Require Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave and Safe Time
September 14, 2011

News & Press Mentions

Dorsey & Whitney Advises Cooperative Northwest Grain Growers on Merger with Mid Columbia Producers
June 13, 2025
Chambers USA 2025 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
June 5, 2025
21 Dorsey Lawyers Honored as 2025 Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers
April 22, 2025
201 Dorsey Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
August 15, 2024
Super Lawyers Recognizes 18 Dorsey Attorneys in Seattle
August 1, 2024
Chambers USA 2024 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
June 6, 2024
18 Dorsey Attorneys Named Thomson Reuters “Stand-Out Lawyers”
March 5, 2024
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
August 17, 2023
Super Lawyers Recognizes 11 Dorsey Seattle Attorneys
July 31, 2023
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 12 Dorsey Lawyers and Four Practices in Seattle
June 2, 2023
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
June 1, 2023
Super Lawyers Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
July 14, 2022
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
June 1, 2022
Super Lawyers Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
July 15, 2021
Farm to Table Talk Podcast: Labor Supremes – Michael Droke
June 26, 2021
13 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2021 The Best Lawyers in America Employment Law Issue
June 24, 2021
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses SCOTUS Ruling in Favor of Growers Property Rights
June 23, 2021
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Comments on CA Uber, Lyft Drivers Now Employees
October 23, 2020
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses 5 Ways to Keep Retail Foodservice Alive
July 29, 2020
Super Lawyers Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
July 16, 2020
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses Coronavirus and Business Impact
March 3, 2020
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Comments on Another Romaine Recall
November 22, 2019
Dorsey Partner Mike Droke Discusses California Gig Worker Bill
September 11, 2019
Super Lawyers Recognizes 14 Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
June 10, 2019
Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
April 25, 2019

Events & Speaking Engagements

Webinar Playback: How California’s Sweeping New Climate and Carbon Disclosure Laws May Impact Your Business
January 17, 2024
How California’s Sweeping New Climate and Carbon Disclosure Laws May Impact Your Business
January 17, 2024
TFACC NSAC NRECA Training for Those Charged with Governance - Cooperative Board of Direct Duties 2023
July, 26, 2023
NSAC Conference Presentation July 2023
July 1, 2023
Dorsey NSAC Far West Webinar Modern Cooperatives Governance
June 8, 2023
Webinar Playback: What’s Gov’ Got to Do With It? Modern Cooperative Governance in Today’s Economy
May 16, 2023
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: The Wild, Waterless, West!
February 21, 2023
FB&A InterActive Dialogue: The Wild, Waterless West!
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Program Materials: L&E Briefing: Implementing an I-9 Compliance Process
January 9, 2023
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Finance In The New Economy: ESG & Its Impacts on Financial Services
July 11, 2022
Webinar Playback: Ransomware, Cyber and Hacking – Oh My! Building Cyber Resilience in Today’s World
June 22, 2022
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Mergers & Acquisitions in Agriculture 2021 Series
March 18, 2022
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Four Pillars of Success
January 27, 2022
Program Materials: L&E Briefing: President Biden’s Mandatory Vaccination Executive Order: What We Know and What We Don’t Know
September 14, 2021
Webinar Playback: The Future of Agriculture Roundtable
September 10, 2021
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Capturing Value: Successful M&A Integration
June 22, 2021
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: The Deal Timeline and Process
April 29, 2021
Webinar Playback: FB&A InterActive Dialogue: Best Practices on Presale Preparation
March 23, 2021
Webinar Playback: FB&A: Capitalizing Your Co-op: Financing Strategies to Retain the Cooperative Model
October 21, 2020
Webinar Playback: Marketing Communication in Uncertain Times: Social Media and Influencer Guidance
September 24, 2020
Webinar Playback: 5 Key Considerations in Agriculture’s Financially Uncertain Times
August 21, 2020
Webinar Playback: 3rd Annual Food Summit
July 29, 2020
Program Materials: L&E Briefing: Pivoting Post-Covid: Practical And Legal Considerations To Building Better Companies And Their Leaders
June 15, 2020
Program Materials: L&E Briefing: Phoenix Rising: Managing Your Company’s Recovery Without Getting Sued
April 27, 2020
Webinar Playback: Is Your Food Company Taking the Necessary Steps In This Coronavirus Crisis?
April 1, 2020

Legal Writings

Cooperative Business Law: A Practical Guide to the Special Laws Governing Cooperatives

Cooperative Business Law Third Edition 2020

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

Food, Beverage & Agribusiness

Food, Beverage & Agribusiness

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Cooperative Law

Cooperative Law

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Corporate Governance & Compliance

Corporate Governance & Compliance

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Antitrust & Competition Law

Antitrust & Competition Law

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Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers & Acquisitions

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Banking & Financial Institutions

Banking & Financial Institutions

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Class Action Litigation

Class Action Litigation

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International Trade

International Trade

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Labor & Employment

Labor & Employment

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Products Liability

Products Liability

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Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)

Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)

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  • 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 2024 Dorsey LogoChambers 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), 2009-2024
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2007-2025
  • Recognized as a "Stand-Out Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters, 2024-2025

Diversity Inclusion Recognition 2023

  • Contributed more than 50 Diversity hours, 2023
  • Listed as a Washington Super Lawyer, 2003, 2005-2024
  • 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