Mr. Airdo’s area of practice focuses on the litigation of complex civil matters, including premises cases, healthcare matters, and commercial disputes. Through his work with Christian Brothers Services, he has a broad base of experience in representing the unique legal needs of religious institutes and religiously sponsored ministries.  Mr. Airdo also specializes in legal matters involving not-for-profit corporations, educational institutes, and mental health professionals. He has a wide array of experience in resolving matters through the alternative dispute resolution process. 

 

Mr. Airdo is a frequent lecturer on topics related to his legal practice.  Most recently, he has spoken on topics specific to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, HIPAA, and the liability issues that arise in retail establishments.  Michael Airdo has regularly lead workshops on the legal and pastoral response of child-serving organizations to victims of childhood sexual abuse.

 

For several years, Mr. Airdo has served as civil legal counsel for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (“CMSM”). CMSM serves the leadership of the Catholic orders and congregations of the more than 20,000 vowed religious priests and brothers of the United States.  He has also worked closely with the Resource Center for Religious Institutes (“RCRI”), whose membership is composed of leadership from religious institutes and societies of apostolic life from the United States and Canada.  Mr. Airdo is also counsel to the Tooling & Manufacturing Association based in Park Ridge, Illinois.

 

Since 2001, Mr. Airdo has served as a Trustee for the Village of Bartlett, Illinois. The Village Board of Trustees is charged with setting policies, approving budgets, and generally overseeing the activities of the Village management.  On the Board, Michael Airdo holds the position of Chairman of the Finance and Golf Committee.  In addition to his municipal service, Mr. Airdo also serves as legal counsel to Arts in Bartlett and is on the Board of Directors for LaSalle Manor, a Christian Brothers Retreat Center in Plano, Illinois. 

 

EDUCATION

DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois J.D., 1996
Graduated with honor and with the distinction as Member of the Order of the Coif DePaul University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chicago, Illinois B.A., 1993, Political Science and English
Graduated summa cum laude

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 2002
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1996
Illinois, 1996

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Counsel on Litigation Management
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
DuPage Country Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
National Association of College and University Attorneys

REPORTED DECISIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Johnson v. Augustinians, 396 Ill. App. 3d 437, 919 N.E.2d 492, 335 Ill. Dec. 773,

November 25, 2009 (No. 1-08-2395.).

 

Clay v. Kuhl, 189 Ill. 2d 603, 727 N.E.2d 217, 244 Ill. Dec. 918, 2000 WL 46034, Ill., January 21, 2000 (Nos. 86938, 86941.).

 

Murray v. Chicago Youth Center, 352 Ill. App. 3d 95, 815 N.E.2d. 746, 287 Ill. Dec. 102, 2004

4725, 192 Ed. Law Rep. 542, Ill. App. 1 Dist., April 16, 2004 (no. 1-02-3615.).

 

American Family Ins. ex rel. Dunn v. Black & Decker (U.S.), Inc., 2003 WL 22139788, Prod. Liab. Rep. (CCH) P 16,748, N.D. Ill., September 16, 2003 (No. 00 C 50281.).

 

“The Tri-Partite Relationship: Understanding and Managing the Relationship of the Insured, the Insurer, and Defense Counsel," by Michael A. Airdo, Jeffrey A. Dollinger, and Neil G. Wolf, 2011.

 

“Understanding, Selecting and Using Insurance: A Guide for Religious Institutes,” by Kevin Duck and Michael A. Airdo, Esq., The Legal Bulletin, No. 83, Spring 2007, Legal Resource Center for Religious.

 

“Ministry Relationships and Risks for the Legally Unwary Religious Institute and Society of Apostolic Life: Examining Physical and Psychological Exploitation Scenarios That Can Give Rise To Individual and Institutional Liability,” by Michael A. Airdo, Esq., and Meghan E. Riley, Esq., The Legal Bulletin, No. 82, Fall 2006, Legal Resource Center for Religious.

 

“Nursing Home Charting and Documentation,” by Andrew Kopon, Jr., Michael A. Airdo, and Heather R. Watterson, Long-Term Care Interface, Vol. 6 (11) 2005.