Michael Ruff is a litigator who focuses his practice in professional responsibility, with emphasis in the defense of accountants and lawyers against civil liability. He also practices in the area of commercial litigation, including contract actions, business torts, and securities disputes.
Before joining Hinshaw as an associate in October 2014, Michael was a law clerk with the firm. During law school, Michael was a 7-11 licensed law clerk at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and served as a judicial assistant to Mr. Justice Bernard Eder in the Commercial Courts of the Royal Courts of Justice in London, England.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Michael competed as a member of the DePaul University College of Law Moot Court Society's appellate team.
Prior to his legal career, Michael worked as an auditor for an international derivatives marketplace – CME Group Inc. He is a Registered Certified Public Accountant in the state of Illinois.
Professional Affiliations
- Chicago Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Illinois Bar Association
Honors & Awards
- Professional
- Selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Professional Malpractice Law, 2021
- Recognized on the Rising Stars list by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine, 2018 – 2021
- Academic
- DePaul University College of Law
- Dean's List
- DePaul University College of Law
Presentations
- "Practice Basics: Qualities of a Professional Lawyer," Chicago Bar Association CLE, Chicago, Illinois, September 21, 2018
- "Preparing for Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Profession," Chicago Bar Association CLE, April 4, 2018
-
"Check Your Privilege," West LegalEdcenter, Webinar, June 2015
Publications
- Chapter Co-Author, "United States," The Professional Negligence Law Review, Third Edition, July 2020
- "Reforming Lawyer Mobility—Protecting Turf or Serving Clients?," contributor, The Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics, Vol. 30, April 2017
News
- August 20, 2020Three Lawyers Honored as "Lawyer of the Year"
- August 5, 2020
- April 8, 2019One of the Largest Rule 137 Sanctions Ever Imposed in Cook County
Hinshaw Publications
- February 16, 2021Lawyers for the Profession®
- February 4, 2020Lawyers for the Profession®
- December 9, 2019Lawyers for the Profession®
- California Court Clears Way for Malicious Prosecution Claim Against Attorney for Cannabis DispensaryNovember 20, 2019Lawyers for the Profession®
- October 31, 2019
- May 29, 2019
- December 21, 2018Lawyers for the Profession®
- December 19, 2018Lawyers for the Profession®
- April 10, 2017
- July 13, 2016Lawyers for the Profession®
- March 24, 2016
- September 10, 2015Lawyers for the Profession® Alert
- December 10, 2014Lawyers for the Profession® Alert
Community/Civic Activities
- Lincoln Park Community Shelter, Associate Board Member, April 2016 – Present; Volunteer 2008 – Present
Service Areas
Education
J.D., cum laude, DePaul University College of Law, 2014
B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007
Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois