Michael Wagner focuses his practice primarily in the representation of governmental units, specifically municipalities and school districts. He has handled cases involving general liability, employment discrimination and civil rights, construction, real estate and TIF development, environmental (including CERCLA and RCRA) and labor negotiations. Mr. Wagner’s practice also includes the representation of real estate developers in TIF and land use cases, as well as major industries in major environmental litigation. Within his school law practice, Mr. Wagner handles labor issues, special education issues and general liability defense.
Mr. Wagner currently serves as the corporate counsel for the City of East St. Louis, Illinois where he handles all legal matters. He also represents Freeburg School CUSD 70, Breese District 12, Mulberry Grove CUSD 1, Belleville Area Special Services Coop (BASSC), and Grayville school district. Mr. Wagner’s government clients have also included the City of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; New Athens, Illinois; and West Frankfort, Illinois.
Mr. Wagner was lead counsel for the Village of Sauget in its major environmental litigation with both the U.S. Department of Justice and other industrial residents. His corporate client list includes Alcoa, Omni Property Management, Florek Homes, LLC and several other local businesses in Southern Illinois.
Mr. Wagner joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in November 1999 from the St. Clair County States Attorney’s office, where he was the department head for the misdemeanor and D.U.I. department.
Mr. Wagner is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the St. Clair County Bar Association (Young Lawyers Division), the Missouri Bar Association, the East St. Louis Bar Association (Board of Directors) and the Bar Association for the Southern District of Illinois. He has been rated by Martindale-Hubbell for ethics and legal ability.
Mr. Wagner’s presentations include:
- “Open Meetings,” Hinshaw’s In-House Continuing Legal Education seminar, Belleville, Illinois, March 2006.
- “What You Need to Know About Public Records and Open Meetings in Illinois,” Lorman Education Services’ seminar, Fairview Heights, Illinois, April 2005.