Michael W. Gaches

Mike brings a unique understanding of and intricate experience in employment and labor litigation to the Tucker Ellis Labor & Employment Group. In his role as TSA Deputy Chief Counsel for Litigation, he directed and implemented agency-wide litigation strategy in an array of areas – including labor and employment, constitutional law, torts, regulatory compliance and enforcement, and cybersecurity – and led a team of nearly 70 attorneys and professional staff responsible for all TSA-related federal court and administrative litigation and labor arbitration. Prior to serving in that role, Mike was TSA’s Assistant Chief Counsel for Employment & Labor Litigation, overseeing a team of more than 30 attorneys and staff defending all claims brought against the agency under various employment statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Rehabilitation/Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, and others. Mike also worked as a senior employment litigation attorney for TSA, personally litigating hundreds of cases to resolution.  He also served as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, where he prosecuted federal felonies and misdemeanors, including drug, fraud, extortion, assault, and immigration crimes from initial appearance through trial, sentencing, and appeal.

As an adjunct professor of law at Washington & Lee University, Mike teaches litigation and trial advocacy. He also has served as a speaker and instructor for various employment law symposia.

Mike and his wife, Lauren, and their two children live outside of Annapolis, Maryland, and spend much of their free time participating in and spectating equestrian sports. When not at the barn or competing, they enjoy traveling, good restaurants, and spending quality time with family and friends.