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Michael A. Zuckerman , Esq.

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Home Office: Chicago, Illinois View More

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Michael A. Zuckerman, Esq. is a mediator, arbitrator, and neutral evaluator at JAMS. Mr. Zuckerman’s practice covers business and commercial matters; banking and financial services; consumer and employment cases; class actions and mass torts; cybersecurity and data privacy; technology-related cases; appellate matters; and real property disputes.

Before JAMS, Mr. Zuckerman was a trial and appellate litigator at Jones Day, where he represented both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil matters in federal and state courts. Mr. Zuckerman additionally served as a judicial law clerk to judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Sixth and Seventh Circuits and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois and Eastern District of New York.

Representative Matters

Appellate

Arbitrated appeal under the JAMS Optional Appellate Arbitration Procedures, serving as member of three-arbitrator appellate panel in consumer credit dispute
Mediated cross-appeal of trial court summary judgment ruling in commercial property defect case
Mediated appeal of trial court order addressing necessity of expert testimony in commercial real estate matter

Banking

Mediated dispute under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) against a financial institution, involving credit reporting policies and procedures, account/balance and payment history data, and consumer dispute handling
Mediated matters involving retail banking practices, financial products and mortgage loan modifications
Arbitrated discrimination claims against banks under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
Arbitrated case involving alleged wire fraud and suspicious transactions relating to personal and business banking accounts
Mediated claim for breach of cardmember agreement involving liability for past due credit card balance, counterclaims, and contractual fee-shifting
As an advocate, represented client in dispute about enforceability of loan guarantees

Business Commercial

Mediated high-conflict business divorce involving social media influencer, equity valuation, LLC asset distribution, and operating control
Mediated dispute between telemarketing firm and staffing agency involving claims of breach of contract and fraud, with alleged lost profits arising from service quality issues
Mediated claims against multiple defendants under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) relating to accuracy of credit reporting data, third-party fraud, and alleged damages for emotional distress
Mediated business divorce involving several LLCs in the transportation industry, including claims for breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation, conversion, and access to books and records under state corporations act
Arbitrated cases under the FCRA relating to alleged inaccurate credit reporting, identity theft, consumer dispute letters, and internal compliance policies and procedures
Mediated breach of contract matter arising out of a referral agreement in the telecommunications industry
Arbitrated case involving enforceability and interpretation of third-party payment guarantee by family member for nursing home resident relating to unpaid balance
Mediated dispute between consumer and online payment platform involving claim for return of frozen funds and counterclaim for breach of platform terms of service
Mediated breach of contract dispute in trucking industry involving transportation technology and the scope and applicability of indemnification clause for intellectual property and patent claims
Mediated breach of contract matter involving public adjustor and nonpayment following insurance settlement
Mediated disputes involving construction contractors, software startups, law firms, tax preparation and accounting firms, equipment rental companies, event, catering and wedding planning companies, health insurers, dental practices, funeral homes, auto body shops, and electronic repair companies
Arbitrated breach of contract claims between manufacturer and component supplier involving contract interpretation, assignment, and damage calculations
Mediated dispute between family members over existence and enforceability of oral loan agreements
Arbitrated dispute between operator of online marketplace and third-party seller regarding product quality and breach of service agreement
Mediated dispute between members of religious organization for breach of contract related to oral agreement about revenue sharing from programming activity
Mediated claim by consumer against national retailer related to alleged damages caused by third-party gift card scam
Arbitrated dozens of cases for breach of warranty and violation of state lemon laws relating to new automobiles
Mediated claim under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (ICFA) for breach of contract claims relating to online purchases of automobile

Class Action & Mass Tort

Mediated putative class action alleging data breach and privacy violations involving unauthorized access to patient medical records at behavioral health system
Mediated putative class action alleging that label on consumer beverage failed to warn that product may be addictive
Arbitrated individual claims arising from nationwide class action settlement relating to defective engine parts
As an advocate, represented clients in class actions involving data privacy, credit reporting, products liability, and employment claims

Cybersecurity & Privacy

Mediated and arbitrated cases involving identity theft, email phishing, telephone scams, impersonation, unauthorized account access, and online account hacking
Arbitrated negligence claim against financial institution for loss of cryptocurrency relating to cyber intrusion
Mediated claim of unauthorized access to consumer credit information under the FCRA involving online theft of personally identifiable information (PII)
Arbitrated consumer claim of breach of service agreement against national corporation arising out of large-scale data breach

Employment Law

Mediated federal and state claims relating to termination and conditions of employment, discrimination, unpaid wages and commissions, employee misclassification, disciplinary actions and performance improvement plans (PIPs), interpersonal workplace conflicts, and disparate treatment in shift assignments
Mediated wage and hour dispute under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA) and Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL) involving time-rounding practices
Mediated dispute involving interpretation of executive compensation agreement
Arbitrated whistleblower and wrongful termination claims by former employee of financial institution relating to sales practices
Mediated dispute between recruiting firm and technology startup for breach of contract involving performance and payment issues
Mediated claims of defamation and tortious interference by former employee relating to employer’s response to employment verification inquiries
As an advocate, represented both plaintiffs and defendants in discrimination and unpaid wage cases

Real Property

Mediated commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes involving security deposits, lease interpretation, and property condition issues
Mediated disputes relating to payment of assessments, property management companies, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), and responsibility for building repairs
Arbitrated fraud and breach of contract claims involving alleged failure to disclose defects in connection with real estate transaction
Mediated attorneys’ fee petition arising from commercial lease dispute involving national sports venue
Mediated landlord-tenant eviction cases involving nonpayment of rent, habitability concerns, and lease enforcement issues
As commissioner on local zoning board, consider and vote on requests for zoning variations and make recommendations on proposed zoning code amendments

Michael A. Zuckerman

Michael A. Zuckerman, Esq. | JAMS Mediator & Arbitrator

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

ADR Leadership and Appointments

Vice President and Member, Board of Directors, Dispute Resolution Institute, Inc., 2022–2026
Secretary and Member, National Board of Directors, Association of Attorney-Mediators, 2025–2026
Treasurer, Illinois Chapter, Association of Attorney-Mediators, 2022–2026
Mediation Coach, Mediation Skills Training, Northwestern School of Professional Studies, 2024–2026
Co-Chair, Employment Committee, American Bar Association Section on Dispute Resolution, 2024–2025
Member, ADR Section Council, Illinois State Bar Association, 2022–2024
JAMS Fellow, 2022–2024
Arbitrator, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
Member, Roster of Neutrals (Employment), Cornell ILR School
Member, Pre/Post-Enforcement Mediation Roster, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Legal and Community Leadership

Member, Electronic Public Access User Group, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 2025–2026
Commissioner, Village of Glencoe, Zoning Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals, 2023–2026
Member, Publications Board, Center on Professional Responsibility, American Bar Association, 2022–2026
Member, Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services, Illinois State Bar Association, 2024–2025
Member, Advisory Board, Parkinson’s Foundation of Greater Illinois, 2020–2022
Member, Dean’s Advisory Council, Cornell Law School, 2015–2019
Vice Chair and Board Member, Committee on Federal Rules and Trial Practice, Federal Litigation Section, Federal Bar Association, 2013–2017
Member, Editorial Board, The Federal Lawyer, Federal Bar Association, 2012–2015
Honoree, Excellence in Pro Bono Service, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2016
Honoree, Outstanding Young Lawyer, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc., 2014
Recipient, Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing, Library of Congress and Burton Foundation, 2009

Bar and Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
National LGBTQ+ Bar Association
Association of Attorney-Mediators
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC)
Association for Conflict Resolution, Illinois
Labor and Employment Relations Associations

Selected Publications and Speaking Engagements

Speaker, "From the Neutral’s Chair: How to Excel as a Mediator or Arbitrator,” Chicago Bar Association, 2026
Moderator, “Empowering Mediators to Navigate Bias, Build Trust, and Lead with Presence,” Association of Attorney-Mediators, 2025
Author, “Why Business Partners Part Ways: Rethinking Business Divorces,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2025
Author, “Call Me, Maybe Not: The Lost Art of the Business Phone Call,” Law.com, 2025
Speaker, “Mediation Ethics for Advocates,” Cornell Law School, 2025
Panelist, “Alternative Dispute Resolution Skills for LGBTQ+ Professionals and Clients,” Lavender Law Conference, 2025
Panelist, Confidentiality and Attorney/Client Privilege Issues in Mediation, Chicago Bar Association, 2025
Panelist, Client Issues in Mediation: Preparation and Control, Chicago Bar Association, 2025
Panelist, Managing the Mediation, Chicago Bar Association, 2025
Moderator, Appellate Mediation: Discussion with the Bench and Bar, American Bar Association, 2025
Speaker, The Ethics and Practicalities of Mediation With Pro Se Litigants, Association of Attorney-Mediators, Illinois Chapter, 2025
Presenter, Pre-Mediation Planning, Illinois State Bar Association, 2024
Speaker, Dispute Resolution Contract Clause Building Workshop, LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois and American Arbitration Association, 2024
Coach, Mediation Skills Training, Northwestern School of Professional Studies, 2024
Speaker, Sharpening Skills & Doing Good: Volunteer Mediation, Association for Conflict Resolution, 2023
Moderator, Judicial Panel: Best Practices for Settlement Conferences, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois / Settlement Assistance Program, 2023
Speaker, Top Insights from Analyzing AI Tools in Legal Writing, ABA TechShow, 2022
Speaker, Best Practices for Expert Reports, Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners, 2021
Panelist, Federal Practice and Discovery Disputes, Chicago Bar Association, 2018
Contributing Editor, Federal Employment Litigation, The Rutter Group Practice Guide, 2017–2018
Co-Author, “More from the #Jury Box: The Latest on Juries and Social Media,” 12 Duke L. & Tech. Rev. 64, 2014
Co-Author, “The Forgotten Pleading,” 7 Fed. Cts. L. Rev. 152, 2013
Co-Author, “Ensuring an Impartial Jury in the Age of Social Media,” 11 Duke L. & Tech. Rev. 1, 2012

Admissions

State Bar of Illinois
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Background and Education

Visiting Practitioner in Residence & Adjunct Professor, Northern Illinois University College of Law, 2024–2026
Mediator and Arbitrator, Zuckerman Dispute Resolution, LLC, 2021–2024
Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2019–2021
Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Amy J. St. Eve, U.S. Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2018–2019
Associate, Issues & Appeals Group, Jones Day, Chicago, IL, 2012–2017
Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Amy J. St. Eve, U.S. District Judge, U.S. District Court for the N.D. Ill., 2011–2012
Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Eric L. Clay, U.S. Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2010–2011
Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Cheryl L. Pollak, U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the E.D.N.Y., 2009–2010
J.D., cum laude, Cornell Law School, 2009
- Cornell Law Review
B.S., Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), Cornell University, 2006

Virtual & In-Person Locations

Home Office

Chicago, IL

Available to Travel To

Atlanta, GA
Boca Raton, FL
Boston, MA
Century City, CA
Dallas, TX
Detroit, MI
Houston, TX
Inland Empire, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
New York, NY
Orange County, CA
Philadelphia, PA
Sacramento, CA
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
Seattle, WA
Silicon Valley, CA
St. Louis, MO
Walnut Creek, CA
Washington, DC

Virtual hearings available nationwide

"We appreciated the help. It was great working with you."

“It was a pleasure working with you.”

"We wanted to reach out to let you know that after the lengthy multi-month process of papering our 14-hour mediation, the parties officially settled yesterday. We wanted to once again thank you for all of your hard work and diligence in helping lay the foundation for a fair and equitable resolution of this matter. It was a genuine pleasure working with you and we look forward to doing so again in the future."

“Was a pleasure working with you both and I think we accomplished something very positive together yesterday. Michael, we appreciate your support and will certainly reach out if needed.”
"The combination of your skill as a mediator, ability to navigate very different but individual personalities, and to constantly read the room in dealing with very personal issues to the parties, in a tactful manner, led us to the resolution of this matter that I genuinely believe is very much in the best interest of both of our clients.”
"You’re a great mediator. I hope our paths cross again very soon."
“Thank you for your hard work!”
“Thank you for your support through this process. It was good working with you.”
"We very much appreciate your help and diligence in helping the parties resolve this matter."