Michael Zhang

Associate

Chicago, IL

He/Him

"Good judgment is the foundation upon which all legal risk management lies."

312-704-3005

Email bXpoYW5nQGhpbnNoYXdsYXcuY29t

Michael Zhang

Associate

Chicago, IL

He/Him

"Good judgment is the foundation upon which all legal risk management lies."

312-704-3005

Email bXpoYW5nQGhpbnNoYXdsYXcuY29t

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About Michael

Recognized as a "lawyer’s lawyer," Michael combines rigorous advocacy with practical insight to protect the reputations and livelihoods of professionals facing high-stakes civil litigation and disciplinary scrutiny. Drawing on his trial and appellate experience, he guides licensed professionals, including lawyers, accountants, and architects, through complex disputes in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative and licensing boards.

Michael also advises attorneys and law firms on navigating the intricate landscape of lawyer regulation, legal ethics, and risk management. Whether counseling on conflicts, fee disputes, succession planning, or professional-responsibility investigations, he delivers clear, actionable guidance grounded in the principle of risk mitigation. By coupling his deep regulatory understanding with an unwavering commitment to client service, Michael empowers legal professionals to meet their obligations, mitigate exposure, and practice with confidence.

Michael draws on his experience as a lawyer-regulator for the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, where he investigated and prosecuted allegations of attorney misconduct, to offer effective legal advice.

Areas of Focus

Industries:

- Insurance;
- Professional Services

Services:

Initiatives:

- Lawyers for the Profession®

Recognition

Chicago-Kent College of Law, National Ethics Trial Competition, Best Advocate; Stetson Pretrial Competition, National Finalist; American Association for Justice (AAJ), Trial Competition, Regional Champion and National Semi-Finalist; Dean’s List

Credentials

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute of Technology, JD, 2015
The University of Calgary, BA, 2010

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Court Admissions

US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Languages

Mandarin Chinese

Thought Leadership

Presentations

"The Firm Mentoring on Ethical Issues," Hinshaw University, CLE Webinar, January 9, 2025

Co-Presenter, "Legal Malpractice Top Ten Traps," Multnomah Bar Association, CLE Webinar, September 24, 2024
Co-Presenter, "Attorney Wellness and the Risk of Liability and Regulatory Scrutiny," International Association of Defense Counsel, Professional Liability Roundtable, Chicago, Illinois, May 30, 2024
Panelist, "Following Ethics Rules While on the Road," Chicago Bar Association, Virtual Event, March 20, 2024
Co-Presenter, "Trust Accounting 101: How to Bill Properly, Collect Your Fees, and Stay Out of Trouble," One-and-Done: 6-Hour Professional Responsibility Overview, Chicago Bar Association, Virtual Event, June 8, 2022

Panelist, "Objection! Improper Tweet: Admissibility of Social Media Evidence," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2021 Annual Meeting, Virtual Event, August 2021
Panelist, "Bit by Bit: A Guide to Adapting to Technology in the Remote Workplace," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2020 Annual Meeting, Virtual Event, July 2020
Co-Presenter, "Legal Ethics in the Age of COVID," Professional Responsibility Committee, Chicago Bar Association, Webinar, May 2020
Panelist, "Red Light/Green Light: The How's, When's, and Why's of Utilizing Alternatives to Discipline," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2020 Mid-Year Meeting, Austin, Texas, February 2020
Panelist, "Social Media Evidence," Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, September 2019
Panelist, "Idk. Do We Speak the Same Language? An Exploration of Inter-generational Communication in the Legal Profession," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2019 Mid-Year Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, January 2019
Panelist, "Resourcing the Humans: The Fran Bassios Memorial Management Program," National Organization of Bar Counsels (NOBC), 2018 Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, August 2018
Co-Presenter, "Technology in the Workplace," Chicago Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Committee, Chicago, Illinois, May 2018
Panelist, "The World is Round and Getting Rounder: Global Regulatory Implications," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2018 Mid-Year Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, January 2018
Panelist, "Life of the Litigator: Civility & Well-Being for the Zealous Advocate," Center for Professional Responsibility, American Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, December 2017
Co-Presenter, "Trust Accounting: What Every Lawyer Should Know," American Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, December 2017

Publications

"Poor Timekeeping Practices Affect the Bottom Line," IDC Quarterly, Volume 35, Number 3, Illinois Defense Counsel, 2025
Chapter 16, "Attorney Liability Risk Management," Attorneys' Legal Liability, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2025 Edition

Co-Author, "The Next Wave of Practicing Lawyers," The Professional Lawyer, Vol. 26, No. 2, December 2019
"Dowling, Revisited," Illinois Courts News, November 29, 2017

Event

Michael Zhang will Present on Attorney Wellness, Risk of Liability, and Regulatory Scrutiny at IADC's Professional Liability Roundtable, May 30, 2024

In The News

Hinshaw Attorneys Contribute Six Chapters to the "Attorneys’ Legal Liability" IICLE Handbook, Jun 12, 2025

Lawyers for the Profession® Alerts

Interests

Did you know...
A coffee enthusiast, Michael delves into the craft with gusto. Extraction theory has won his heart.

Born in China, Michael is a first-generation Canadian immigrant who now proudly calls Chicago home. His favorite sports are basketball and boxing. In his spare time, Michael can be found on a remote hiking trail, spending time with his beloved corgi, Momo, and experimenting with all things coffee.

Thought Leadership

Presentations

"The Firm Mentoring on Ethical Issues," Hinshaw University, CLE Webinar, January 9, 2025

Co-Presenter, "Legal Malpractice Top Ten Traps," Multnomah Bar Association, CLE Webinar, September 24, 2024
Co-Presenter, "Attorney Wellness and the Risk of Liability and Regulatory Scrutiny," International Association of Defense Counsel, Professional Liability Roundtable, Chicago, Illinois, May 30, 2024
Panelist, "Following Ethics Rules While on the Road," Chicago Bar Association, Virtual Event, March 20, 2024
Co-Presenter, "Trust Accounting 101: How to Bill Properly, Collect Your Fees, and Stay Out of Trouble," One-and-Done: 6-Hour Professional Responsibility Overview, Chicago Bar Association, Virtual Event, June 8, 2022

Panelist, "Objection! Improper Tweet: Admissibility of Social Media Evidence," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2021 Annual Meeting, Virtual Event, August 2021
Panelist, "Bit by Bit: A Guide to Adapting to Technology in the Remote Workplace," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2020 Annual Meeting, Virtual Event, July 2020
Co-Presenter, "Legal Ethics in the Age of COVID," Professional Responsibility Committee, Chicago Bar Association, Webinar, May 2020
Panelist, "Red Light/Green Light: The How's, When's, and Why's of Utilizing Alternatives to Discipline," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2020 Mid-Year Meeting, Austin, Texas, February 2020
Panelist, "Social Media Evidence," Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, September 2019
Panelist, "Idk. Do We Speak the Same Language? An Exploration of Inter-generational Communication in the Legal Profession," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2019 Mid-Year Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, January 2019
Panelist, "Resourcing the Humans: The Fran Bassios Memorial Management Program," National Organization of Bar Counsels (NOBC), 2018 Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, August 2018
Co-Presenter, "Technology in the Workplace," Chicago Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Committee, Chicago, Illinois, May 2018
Panelist, "The World is Round and Getting Rounder: Global Regulatory Implications," National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC), 2018 Mid-Year Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, January 2018
Panelist, "Life of the Litigator: Civility & Well-Being for the Zealous Advocate," Center for Professional Responsibility, American Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, December 2017
Co-Presenter, "Trust Accounting: What Every Lawyer Should Know," American Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, December 2017

Publications

"Poor Timekeeping Practices Affect the Bottom Line," IDC Quarterly, Volume 35, Number 3, Illinois Defense Counsel, 2025
Chapter 16, "Attorney Liability Risk Management," Attorneys' Legal Liability, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2025 Edition

Co-Author, "The Next Wave of Practicing Lawyers," The Professional Lawyer, Vol. 26, No. 2, December 2019
"Dowling, Revisited," Illinois Courts News, November 29, 2017

Event