MICHAEL W. MCDERMOTT joined Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze as a Director in September of 2008, concentrating his practice in the areas of corporate and commercial litigation and the general representation of business entities. Before joining Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze, Mr. McDermott practiced corporate and commercial counseling and litigation at a prominent Wilmington, Delaware-based law firm with a recognized national corporate law practice. Prior to that, he served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Myron T. Steele, Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.

Mr. McDermott’s practice includes representation and advice to Delaware corporations, directors, officers, stockholders and other law firms and involves advice regarding the structure and negotiation of corporate transactions as well as the defense of (and challenges to) corporate transactions in the courtroom. His experience includes the prosecution and defense of litigation involving contests for corporate control, director and officer indemnification and advancement, alternative entity (i.e., partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies) issues, and other corporate and alternative entity disputes in the Delaware courts. Mr. McDermott has represented a variety of clients before the Delaware Court of Chancery and other Delaware Courts and has advised clients on issues involving Delaware corporate law and Delaware alternative business entities.

Mr. McDermott is a 2003 graduate, cum laude, of the Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware. He received his B.A. from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland in 1996. While at the Widener University School of Law, he was a Managing Editor of the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law (DEL. J. CORP. L.).

Mr. McDermott is a member of the American Bar Association's Business Law and Litigation Sections. He is also a member of the Delaware State Bar Association and the Rodney Inn of the American Inns of Court. He is admitted to practice in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Mr. McDermott serves the Office of the Child Advocate in Delaware pro bono as a guardian ad litem and also serves on the corporate board of the St. Patrick’s Center, Inc., which includes a food bank and shelter for the homeless in Wilmington, Delaware.