Primary Industries
Industry Associations
- Techweek (Executive Advisory Board Member)
Bar & Court Admissions
- State Bar of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Professional Affiliations
Federal Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association College of Trial Advocacy (Faculty Member)
Chicago-Kent Trial Team (Coach)
Community Involvement
The Chicago Leadership Alliance
Education
Chicago-Kent College of the Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, J.D.
American University, B.A.

Seth E. Darmstadter
Seth Darmstadter is the Managing Partner of M&R’s Chicago office. He is an innovator who operates alongside his high-growth technology company clientele. Seth approaches his work on behalf of ad tech, health tech, media tech, integrated marketing and communications businesses as a strategic partner, delivering solutions-based approaches to law and commerce that allow these and other entrepreneurial companies to effectively navigate crowded and competitive industry landscapes. Seth is particularly proud of his work as former General Counsel for Outcome Health.
Many of Seth’s clients are industry disruptors that relish his fierce loyalty, comprehensive vision, forward thinking and enthusiasm. These traits make him a sought after collaborator and consultant – one who provides advice and counsel across both the strategic legal landscape and business operations.
Not only is Seth a member of M&R’s Advertising & Digital Media Industry Group, he is also an experienced and accomplished commercial litigator, having represented clients in state and federal courts, as well as at arbitration (commercial and labor). Over the years, Seth has favorably resolved a range of cases, including partnership and commercial real estate disputes; breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and restrictive covenant litigation; insurance coverage matters; employment conflicts; and tort actions.
When not hard at work, Seth can be found cooking or playing with his kids, sweating it out at SoulCycle or dining at one of the many global restaurants he frequents. A prolific writer, several of his restaurant reviews have graced the pages of Chicago Lawyer magazine. Seth also regularly authors articles for The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and recently spoke on the topic of companies optimizing their legal spend during a very well received presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Awards & Special Recognitions
Crain's Chicago Business named Seth a GenX Leader in Law for 2021. He has also been designated as a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Prior to that, Seth was recognized as a 2019 Trailblazer by the New York Law Journal, and The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer included him in their “40 Under Forty” lists in 2014. Also, for several consecutive years, Seth was labeled a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine, a designation reserved for just the top 2.5% of lawyers under the age of 40,
Headlines
- Crain's Chicago Business, November 19, 2021
- January 30, 2020
- January 24, 2019
- June 2, 2017
- January 13, 2017
- June 7, 2016
Media Mentions
- Reuters, September 29, 2021
- Law360, October 18, 2019
- Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, June 10, 2016
Publications
- Corporate Counsel, September 15, 2021
- Corporate Counsel, April 28, 2020
- Chicago Lawyer, January 25, 2017
- Chicago Lawyer, July 1, 2016
- Chicago Lawyer Magazine, May 2016
Blog Posts
- Attention Illinois Employers: Your Use of Restrictive Covenants Is About to Be Severely Limited October 26, 2021
- Optimizing the Legal Spend: A Better Approach for GCs September 2, 2021
- Attention Corporate America: With PR Nightmares Lurking, Get Ahead of the Inevitable Crises August 11, 2021
- An Important Message From Michelman & Robinson About California Governor's Statewide Stay-At-Home Order March 19, 2020
- M&R Deciphers the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Just Passed by the Senate and Signed Into Law by the President March 18, 2020
- A Message From Michelman & Robinson About "Shelter in Place" Orders March 18, 2020