Michael Clarkson

Practice Areas

Employment Law, Litigation, Drug Testing, Mergers and Acquisitions, Diversity and Inclusion, Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments, Workplace Safety and Health

Career

Michael Clarkson is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and regularly appears in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies across the country. In his work with Ogletree Deakins, Michael litigates cases and counsels large and small private for-profit and not-for-profit employers concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, non-compete, wage and hour, workplace safety, personnel policy and drug testing issues. A large portion of Michael’s practice is dedicated to leading complex workplace investigations and training legal departments on conducting investigations. Michael also is a member of the Steering Committee of the firm’s Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group. He is also Co-Chair of the Ogletree Deakins’ Drug Testing Practice Group and has particular expertise in drafting drug testing policies and in the complex scientific issues surrounding drug testing. Michael is an active member of Ogletree Deakins’ Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group, regularly negotiating with and litigating against OSHA. Michael is Co-Chair of the firm’s OD Act Change Transform Taskforce.

Before joining Ogletree Deakins, Michael was a partner and member of the Management Committee at a Boston-based management-side labor and employment firm. Before moving to Massachusetts, he worked in California as a litigation associate at an insurance defense firm and as a staff attorney for the Environmental Law Foundation. Michael received his undergraduate degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and is currently a member of the ILR School’s Alumni Board of Directors. He received his law degree from University of California, Hastings College of the Law where he represented the University at the National Moot Court Competition and taught “Street Law” at Galileo High School in San Francisco.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association (Vice Chair Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section)

Massachusetts Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)

Boston Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)

National Cannabis Bar Association (2018)

Massachusetts Cannabis Commission Smoking Working Group

Cornell University ILR School Alumni Board of Directors (Boston Chapter Co-Chair)

Kennedy-Donovan Center, Inc., Member Human Resources Advisory Committee

Posse Boston Volunteer

South Shore Chamber of Commerce, HR Advisory Group (2009-2015)

Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston Board of Directors (2006-2011)

Education