Michael P. Bennett

Partner

312.201.2679

More ways to contact Michael P. Bennett

Additional Languages: Italian

For nearly 20 years, Mike has provided strategic counsel to technology companies and businesses acquiring technology products.

Sponsored Events

Gearing up for Privacy & Cybersecurity in 2021 Webinar Series: Business Operations: Vendors, Records, M&A, E-Sign
Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Awards

Mike counsels clients on a variety of technology issues related to big data, wireless communications, cloud computing (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), telematics, data security and privacy, RFID payment systems, and compliance with international, federal, and state laws. He has extensive experience negotiating transactions with major hardware and software providers, handling traditional inbound/outbound licensing, development agreements, distribution, customization, and implementation.

Mike represents clients in a variety of industries, including energy, life sciences, technology, hospitality, and artificial intelligence. His comprehensive knowledge enables him to guide clients through audits. Mike is also a trusted advisor for open source and cloud computing policies, guiding through mergers and acquisitions with a deep understanding of technology integration.

  • Represented RISC Networks, an industry leader in cloud, data center, and network operations analytics, in the company’s acquisition by Flexera.
  • Assisted a major captive finance company during an audit by a compliance software vendor, identifying an affiliate master license that reduced liability from $2 million to zero.
  • Supported a client against a top-tier document management provider’s liability claims, ultimately reducing the liability to nothing through a strategic review of the audit clause.
  • Investigated claims that a client exceeded analytics software licenses, reducing the vendor’s $1 million demand to $100,000 by demonstrating most products were bundled.
  • Managed the audit process for a specialized publisher accused of $8 million in excess software usage, reducing liability to zero and saving the client’s business.
  • Represented a travel and hospitality client in connection with an audit for an “unlimited license,” strategically banking virtualized software to meet future expansion needs.
  • Represented a packaging business accused of exceeding license entitlements by teaming with inside counsel and an audit assistance team to show that nearly all of the alleged overuse was covered by existing licenses, ultimately reducing the licensor’s $8 million demand to less than $300,000.
  • Martindale-Hubbell, Top Rated Lawyer in Technology (2013)
  • Chambers USA: Illinois, Technology & Outsourcing
  • Leading Lawyers, Computer & Technology Law
Overview

Mike counsels clients on a variety of technology issues related to big data, wireless communications, cloud computing (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), telematics, data security and privacy, RFID payment systems, and compliance with international, federal, and state laws. He has extensive experience negotiating transactions with major hardware and software providers, handling traditional inbound/outbound licensing, development agreements, distribution, customization, and implementation.

Mike represents clients in a variety of industries, including energy, life sciences, technology, hospitality, and artificial intelligence. His comprehensive knowledge enables him to guide clients through audits. Mike is also a trusted advisor for open source and cloud computing policies, guiding through mergers and acquisitions with a deep understanding of technology integration.

Representation Matters
  • Represented RISC Networks, an industry leader in cloud, data center, and network operations analytics, in the company’s acquisition by Flexera.
  • Assisted a major captive finance company during an audit by a compliance software vendor, identifying an affiliate master license that reduced liability from $2 million to zero.
  • Supported a client against a top-tier document management provider’s liability claims, ultimately reducing the liability to nothing through a strategic review of the audit clause.
  • Investigated claims that a client exceeded analytics software licenses, reducing the vendor’s $1 million demand to $100,000 by demonstrating most products were bundled.
  • Managed the audit process for a specialized publisher accused of $8 million in excess software usage, reducing liability to zero and saving the client’s business.
  • Represented a travel and hospitality client in connection with an audit for an “unlimited license,” strategically banking virtualized software to meet future expansion needs.
  • Represented a packaging business accused of exceeding license entitlements by teaming with inside counsel and an audit assistance team to show that nearly all of the alleged overuse was covered by existing licenses, ultimately reducing the licensor’s $8 million demand to less than $300,000.
Insights

Sponsored Events

Gearing up for Privacy & Cybersecurity in 2021 Webinar Series: Business Operations: Vendors, Records, M&A, E-Sign

Firm News

Chambers USA Recognizes 57 Locke Lord Lawyers and 18 ‎‎Practice Areas‎

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Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell, Top Rated Lawyer in Technology (2013)
  • Chambers USA: Illinois, Technology & Outsourcing
  • Leading Lawyers, Computer & Technology Law

Top areas of focus

  • Member, Chicago Bar Association
  • Co-chair, American Bar Association Open Source Software Committee
  • Member, Illinois State Bar Association
  • Member, International Association of Privacy Professionals

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.
  • University of Notre Dame, B.A.
  • DePaul University, Computer Career Program

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois

Languages

  • Italian
  • Speaker, “Gearing up for Privacy & Cybersecurity in 2021 Webinar Series: Business Operations: Vendors, Records, M&A, E-Sign,” Locke Lord, May 20, 2021.