Michael has dedicated his law practice to helping injured railroad workers obtain full compensation for their injuries. His commitment and hard work have yielded record verdicts and settlements.
Born and raised in Chicago, Michael is no stranger to unions. Michael is the grandson of a Union City Laborer and the son of a Union Sheet Metal Worker. Michael learned at a young age the value of hard work. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he had multiple deployments overseas and was part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Michael left the Marines with medals, accommodations, and a desire to serve others. Michael joined the Riggers union and later worked for U.S. Steel.
Michael’s dedication to justice and desire to serve others took him to law school. Never losing his connections with the unions, Michael took his law degree and began fighting for the rights of union workers. Michael has tried cases throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. His dedication, knowledge, and experience earned him designation as legal counsel for the SMART Union.
Michael’s life experiences have allowed him to understand the realities for union workers and to appreciate the fear and uncertainty that injury may cause. Michael guides his clients through the FELA, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the other many challenges an injury on the railroad may bring.
Michael is respected not only by his clients but by his peers as well. Michael has successfully tried cases throughout the Midwest, created binding precedent in the Seventh Circuit, and regularly appearing on topics related to the FELA.
Aside from his work in the courtroom, Michael is a bone marrow donor through the CW Bill Young Bone Marrow Donor Program and is the President of the Associate Board for Salute, Inc., a nonprofit organization that raises awareness, financial assistance, and benefits for wounded veterans and their families. When not fighting for railroad workers or assisting his fellow veterans, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, Heather, and their three beautiful children.
Bar Admissions
- Supreme Court of Illinois
- United States Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States Court for the Southern District of Iowa
- United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., Certificate in Labor and Employment Law
- Western Illinois University, B.S., Law and Justice Administration
If you have been injured in a personal injury or medical malpractice accident, do not hesitate to contact the Chicago accident and injury law firm of Cogan & Power at (312) 477-2500 to schedule a free case consultation, so that we can help you begin the process of recovery as soon as possible.
