Westcott, Michael J.

Michael J. Westcott

Partner
Laura Kneebone
608.283.6771

About

Michael Westcott is a partner and member of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at Axley, as well as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Westcott represents management in all facets of labor and employment law matters. He represents private and public sector employers in union organizational drives, labor negotiations, grievance and interest arbitration hearings, and unfair labor practice hearings.

A large portion of his practice also involves litigating employment discrimination claims on behalf of employers. He regularly advises employers on worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, employee handbooks and policies and other related personnel issues. He represents employers before the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Commission, the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor, the Wage and Hour Division of the State of Wisconsin Equal Rights Division, and federal, state and local administrative agencies concerning employment discrimination matters. Mr. Westcott also spends a significant amount of time advising health care employers in the labor and employment law implications of mergers and integrations.

Mr. Westcott frequently speaks on labor and employment-related issues before civic and business groups. He also regularly conducts training seminars for clients of Axley on issues including sexual harassment, maintaining a non-union environment, interviewing techniques, avoiding fair employment claims and related subjects.

Admitted to practice in the State Courts of Wisconsin, Federal Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin and for the Central District of Illinois, and United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Education

J.D., Marquette University
B.A., cum laude, Carthage College

Involvement & Recognition

Involvement:

  • Member, American Bar Association
    – Labor & Employment Law section
  • Board Member, Madison Festivals Inc
  • Former Member, City of Verona Police and Fire Commission
  • Member, Society for Human Resource Managers
  • Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
    – Labor & Employment Law section

Recognition:

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© (2010-2022 Edition) – Labor and Employment Law
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© (2011-2024 Edition) – Employment Law – Management
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© (2011-2024 Edition) – Labor Law – Management
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© (2011-2024 Edition) – Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Named to the 2011 – 2013 Wisconsin Super Lawyers Lists (Primary Area of Practice: Employment and Labor Law)
  • Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™

Insights

Other Presentations & Publications
Article: "Are Employer Codes of Conduct Meaningless in Today's NLRB Climate?" Wisconsin Employment Law Letter (12/2014)
Article: "Wisconsin Supreme Court Clarifies that Only ‘Employees’ Are Covered by WHWPA." Wisconsin Employment Law Letter (9/2014)
Article: "Termination for Violating Policy Was Not Discrimination Based on Arrest Record." Wisconsin Employment Law Letter (6/2014)
Article: "President Obama: It Is Time to Update and Modernize Overtime Regulations." Wisconsin Employment Law Letter (4/2014)
Article: "NLRB General Counsel Had No Power to Delegate Authority to Regional Director." Wisconsin Employment Law Letter (10/2013)
Article: "Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon Could Not Delegate His Authority to Regional Director Due to His Own Faulty Appointment." Wisconsin Employment Law Letter (10/2013)