Michael A. Airdo

Michael A. Airdo is a founding Member of Airdo Werwas, LLC. Mr. Airdo is a fierce litigator and skilled negotiator who zealously advocates for his clients in all arenas. Michael prides himself in accomplishing objectives that others think are impossible to achieve. He embodies the Firm’s Motto: “Providing Solutions. Getting Results.”

Mr. Airdo’s practice focuses on the handling of complex civil litigation matters, including healthcare litigation, the defense of long-term care and assisted living facilities, catastrophic personal injury claims, local government matters, and cases involving corporations, nonprofit entities, retail establishments, educational facilities, and trade associations.

He has a broad base of experience in representing the unique legal needs of religious institutes and religiously-sponsored ministries. Mr. Airdo represents mental health professionals and has a wide array of experience in resolving matters through the alternative dispute resolution process. He is a frequent lecturer on topics related to his legal practice, including board governance and fiduciary liabilities, local government risk management, retailer risks, and the legal and pastoral response of child-serving organizations to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Mr. Airdo received both his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, and his law degree, with honors, from DePaul University.

Michael Airdo served on the Board of Trustees for the Village of Bartlett from 2001 to 2011 and as Mayor of Bartlett from 2011 to 2013. He uses his experience from his time on the Village Board in his work with local governments. Mr. Airdo is honored to serve as a legal counsel to Hanover Township, Palatine Township, Dundee Township, and Shields Township. He is the Fox River Water Reclamation District’s general counsel. Michael is also general counsel to Associated Equipment Distributors. Mr. Airdo works closely with the Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM). He is on Praesidium’s National Advisory Council for the Y-USA.

Mr. Airdo is a Member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (“IADC”), where he currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors and as Immediate Past President of the IADC Foundation, having recently concluded a six year tenure as a member of the Foundation. He is a past Chair of the Social Justice Pro Bono Committee, Cyber Security, Data Privacy and Technology Committee, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and a Member of the Membership Committee. Michael was first elected in 2022 to serve as the Treasurer of the Illinois Township Attorneys Association (ITAA), where he continues to serve.

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
• J.D., 1996, with honor and Order of the Coif
• DePaul University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chicago, Illinois
• B.A., 1993, Political Science and English, 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 Associations

• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Illinois Township Attorneys Association

Reported Decisions

• John Doe 171 v. Order of St. Benedict, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5554 (D.P.R. Apr. 20, 2012).
• John Doe 174 v. Order of St. Benedict, 836 F. Supp. 2d 872 (D. Minn. 2011).
• 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. 1-02-361).
• 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).

Presentations

• “Law, Ethics, and the Courtroom Battle Against Misinformation: A Cinematic CLE Experience,” International Association of Defense Counsel Midyear Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 11, 2026.
• “The 2026 Legal Landscape: What Dealers Need to Know,” Associated Equipment Distributors Summit, Dallas, Texas, January 21, 2026.
• “Legal Considerations for Emergency Service Units,” Hanover Township, Bartlett, Illinois, January 7, 2026.
• “Help - I’ve Been Subpoenaed, What Do I Do?” Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Des Plaines, Illinois, November 15, 2025
• “Maintaining Assets for Mission: Exploring Legal Considerations and Asset Protection,” IPMG / Trinity Risk Solutions Annual Subscribers Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, November 13, 2025.
• “Safeguarding Together: Understanding and Responding to Sexual Misconduct,” Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Mishawaka Trail, Indiana, October 25, 2025.
• “First Amendment Audits,” Metropolitan Township Association Annual Symposium, Naperville, Illinois, October 9, 2025.
• “Legal Foundations and Management of Religious Commissaries,” Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, October 2, 2025.
• “Legal Insights for Effective Trust and HR Administration,” Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, October 2, 2025.
• “Defending Religious Autonomy: Ministerial Exception in Practice,” Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, October 1, 2025.
• “Navigating the Legal Challenges of Repurposing Religious Property” Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, October 1, 2025.
• “Legal Updates for Religious Institutes,” Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, September 30, 2025.
• “Township Foundation Board Orientation,” Palatine Township Foundation, Schaumburg, Illinois, August 7, 2025.
• “Community Mental Health Board Orientation,” Palatine Township Community Mental Health Board, Palatine, Illinois, July 19, 2025.
• “An Overview of Civil Incorporation,” American-Cassinese Congregation, Collegeville, Minnesota, June 16, 2025.
• “Legal and Leadership Education for New Township Officials,” Bartlett, Illinois, May 3, 2025
• “Legal Concerns for Emergency Services Units,” Hanover Township Emergency Services Training, Bartlett, Illinois, February 5, 2025
• “Navigating Change: Emerging Legal & HR Issues Facing Dealers in 2025,” AED Summit, Orlando, Florida, January 17, 2025.