Labor & Employment: Michigan

THE FIRM This leading boutique excels in the full spectrum of labor and employment law. The team's substantial experience covers FMLA, ERISA and NLRB litigation, retaliation and harassment cases and traditional labor matters. The group represented El Paso in a retiree healthcare class action lawsuit which recently settled after years of negotiation. The lawyers also provide advice to Ford, Comcast and Aon.

Sources say: "Strong lawyers with intellect, tenacity and the ability to explain the legal process every step of the way."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Standout performer Thomas Kienbaum's practice covers traditional labor law, litigation and arbitration. He is particularly well known for his representation of significant corporations in retiree healthcare class action lawsuits. Clients laud him as "extremely thoughtful and very reliable in terms of his judgment."

Employment litigator Elizabeth Hardy is known for her substantial trial and appellate experience, having handled numerous cases for corporations involving discrimination, defamation and breach of contract claims. She is described as "very insightful and thoughtful and she gives great advice."

Theodore Opperwall has a fine reputation for traditional labor work, with extensive expertise in handling union organizing, collective bargaining issues and NLRB hearings. Clients describe him as "not just a lawyer but a business partner."

Eric Pelton's national practice encompasses traditional labor work and litigation. In addition to his involvement in class actions, he represents clients in noncompete and trade secret matters and acts as a mediator in labor relations cases.

Rising star William Forrest is gaining increasing presence as an employment litigator. He defends corporations in cases involving discrimination, whistle-blowing and retaliation claims, and he is also very experienced in handling ERISA class actions.

THE FIRM This talented group offers expertise in a variety of labor and employment matters. The team is experienced in handling retiree health benefit class actions, as well as union organizing, collective bargaining and discrimination litigation. The team is well known for representing municipalities and school districts in addition to major corporations. Notable highlights including acting for Detroit Public Schools in a termination lawsuit and defending University of Michigan Law School against breach of contract and discrimination claims.

Sources say: "The most complete labor and employment practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS FMLA and ADA expert Megan Norris is a "fine lawyer and a solid performer" who has "a good head for litigation." She recently defended Thomas M. Cooley Law School against breach of contract and discrimination claims.

Leonard Givens is a highly respected lawyer who is known for his expertise in traditional labor matters. He advises clients with regard to NLRB proceedings, collective bargaining agreements and ADA compliance.

Charles Mishkind is held in high regard for his involvement in class action lawsuits, as well as his considerable knowledge of retiree health and welfare benefits issues and ERISA law.

Sources consider Richard Seryak to be "a terrific lawyer" with extensive experience in advising employers in discrimination and termination cases.

Donna Donati is a highly respected employment litigator. She focuses on acting for employers in discrimination, defamation and harassment litigation.

Jerome Watson is an experienced trial lawyer with a fine reputation for handling retaliation, breach of contract and class action litigation.

Adam Forman is noted by interviewees as "a rising star and an expert in the field of social networking in the workplace." He is an expert in handling wrongful termination and discrimination claims.

THE FIRM This broad department encompasses strong traditional labor and employment defense litigation practices. The lawyers have extensive experience in handling a wide range of matters including discrimination claims, ERISA litigation, arbitrations and negotiating collective bargaining agreements. The team also includes five lawyers working in the area of immigration. The group's portfolio of clients includes AFL WEB Printing, Gannett, Mueller Industries and automotive supplier Faurecia.

Sources say: "The lawyers are exceptional. They offer very high-quality legal representation and are very good at strategic planning. They're ahead of the game."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Vercruysse is considered a leading labor and employment litigator with considerable knowledge of ERISA matters, NLRB proceedings and discrimination and retaliation cases. Clients report that he is "very responsive, extremely knowledgeable and offers a very good business perspective."

David Calzone is an employment discrimination expert with considerable experience in advising clients on matters relating to the ADA. Peers regard him as "a recognized leader who is well known as an expert in FMLA."

Clients note that employment litigator Gregory Murray is "phenomenal in customer service, responsiveness and intelligence." He also receives widespread praise for his astute business sense.

THE FIRM This firm is noted for its increasing market presence for labor and employment work. The department comprises over 35 attorneys practicing employment litigation and traditional labor law, with particular expertise in collective bargaining, ERISA matters and union organizing. The group also includes a number of immigration attorneys who advise clients on matters held before the DOL and other governmental agencies.

Sources say: "Several well-respected attorneys who have continued to stay on top of their game." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources recognize litigator and arbitrator Daniel Bretz as a "very fine lawyer," with clients widely impressed by his ability. His broad practice includes FMLA, FLSA and discrimination claims, as well as noncompete and trade secret matters.

Labor and employment litigator Thomas Hathaway is known and respected for his involvement in collective bargaining negotiations, wage and hour matters and discrimination claims.

Thomas Brady's employment litigation practice covers whistle-blower and discrimination claims. On the traditional labor side, he represents clients before the NLRB and the Michigan Employment Relations Commission and offers advice in relation to union-organizing and collective bargaining matters.

THE FIRM This group is known for its extensive experience in defending employers against whistle-blower, harassment and wrongful termination claims, as well as discrimination and wage and hour class actions. The lawyers also provide advice to clients with regard to employee handbooks, FMLA compliance and immigration issues. Clients include Little Caesar Enterprises, Carhartt and Magna International.

Sources say: "I would recommend using the firm - it delivers very good results."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice leader Timothy Howlett is "a quite excellent, top-drawer attorney who is responsive, business-oriented and a good problem solver." He handles employment litigation matters for the University of Michigan, Delta Air Lines and Ford.

THE FIRM This significant traditional labor and employment litigation practice covers discrimination cases, labor negotiations, class actions and trade secret matters. The team counts a number of prestigious organizations among its clients, including Walmart and TRW Automotive. Notable highlights include representing Bank of America in regional cases involving discrimination, ERISA and wrongful termination claims, and handling union negotiations for the Detroit Zoological Society.

Sources say: "They lawyers have never let us down. They have a wealth of experience in all labor and employment matters." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers and clients alike consider Joseph Ritok to be "a very good lawyer." He recently handled labor negotiations for employees of The Detroit News relating to wages and healthcare issues.

Patrick Hickey is regarded as "an excellent and very skilled litigator and strategist." He recently acted for Sears in an age discrimination class action lawsuit.

Martin Jay Galvin has a strong reputation for his involvement in traditional labor negotiations as well as discrimination and ERISA litigation. He is known to be "experienced, affable and highly respected in the field."

New entry John Entenman is "a fine traditional labor lawyer" who is known for his extensive experience in handling union-management negotiations and public sector work for municipalities.

THE FIRM This respected group advises both public and private employers on labor and employment issues, including healthcare organizations, corporations, school districts and municipalities. The lawyers are involved in collective bargaining negotiations, ADA and FMLA compliance and union-organizing matters. The team is also particularly active in the healthcare area, advising a number of healthcare systems including Bronson Healthcare Group and Spectrum Health System.

Sources say: "An excellent firm with a great reputation in the community."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department chair Peter Kok is described by sources as "an extremely knowledgeable labor attorney who is very creative in developing progressive solutions." His clients include American Seating and Viking.

Jon March is a respected employment litigator and mediator who handles breach of contract, discrimination and whistle-blower disputes.

THE FIRM This boutique maintains its strong reputation for insurance defense work and employment litigation, and also offers traditional labor law expertise. The areas covered by the team's 13 attorneys include immigration issues, collective bargaining, discrimination and FMLA compliance. Notable matters include defending the City of Detroit against high-profile reverse race discrimination and breach of contract claims. Other key clients include MediLodge, Wayne County and Chubb Group.

Sources say: "A fantastic firm with superb understanding of the employment market."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Linda Burwell is described as "relentlessly thorough in her approach to litigation." Her broad practice includes noncompete, whistle-blower and unfair labor practice matters.

Patricia Nemeth is "very professional, very prompt and her reporting is outstanding," according to commentators. She has considerable experience in handling both traditional labor and employment litigation.

THE FIRM This practice offers employment litigation defense and labor relations services to clients. The team is particularly active in defending employers against breach of contract, wrongful discharge and unfair labor practice claims. The group is becoming increasingly active in handling healthcare-related matters, as well as social media and workplace bullying issues. Notable clients include Monroe Bank & Trust, MPI Research and Kellogg.

Sources say: "A very responsive, knowledgeable and practical firm." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Hooker is acknowledged as a strong traditional labor lawyer with extensive experience in collective bargaining negotiations and labor arbitrations. Clients value his responsiveness, expertise and practical approach.

David Khorey is considered "a fine labor lawyer." Clients describe him as "very practical in his approach to the law, very knowledgeable about labor and employment issues and a very good negotiator."

Employment litigator Lawrence Murphy is regarded as "a great lawyer" by sources. His areas of expertise include wrongful discharge and harassment claims, as well as trade secret and noncompete matters.

THE FIRM This Grand Rapids team is known for its handling of union negotiations, collective bargaining and NLRB proceedings. The lawyers are also experienced in employment litigation defense work involving discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, as well as providing advice on ADA, FLSA and FMLA compliance. Highlights include advising Hexcel on collective bargaining negotiations and union-organizing attempts.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Sikkel's practice covers collective bargaining, arbitrations, FMLA issues and unfair labor practice claims. Clients are impressed with his high level of service and the clear guidance and direction he provides.

Michael Snapper is a highly experienced traditional labor lawyer with considerable knowledge of collective bargaining, NLRB proceedings and union matters. He provides advice to Faurecia, Herman Miller and Quanex Building Products.

THE FIRM This highly rated team is particularly active in traditional labor law matters, including union avoidance and collective actions. The lawyers are also involved in wage and hour issues and retaliation, harassment and discrimination claims. The group continues to advise long-standing client Lear Corporation, and other notable clients include Wayne County Airport Authority and WE Energies.

Sources say: "Bodman is a well-respected firm that offers personalized attention yet is a large organization with many valuable resources."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Karen Piper is "very thorough, detail-oriented and compassionate, yet very firm in her legal actions." She is an expert in handling FMLA issues, discrimination and wrongful termination claims, and is particularly experienced in representing nonprofit organizations.

THE FIRM This practice has a fine reputation for handling trade secret and noncompete matters, and for representing clients in contract negotiations and litigation. The team is also involved in labor relations issues. Highlights include defending the University of Michigan in a termination case against a former employee which was brought under the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act.

Sources say: "An impressive team of labor and employment attorneys."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Hancock is widely recognized for his involvement in collective bargaining negotiations. He also assists public and private employers with union avoidance and wrongful termination claims.

Robert Boonin maintains a strong reputation for his wage and hour expertise. He is also active in handling discrimination claims and wrongful termination matters.

Daniel Tukel is well known for his strengths in handling discrimination and wrongful discharge cases, collective bargaining negotiations and union-organizing issues.

THE FIRM This department is involved in a wide range of labor negotiation and employment litigation matters. The team is particularly adept at handling collective bargaining negotiations, unpaid overtime collective actions and noncompete issues. The lawyers recently represented Capitol Bancorp and subsidiary Michigan Commerce Bank in a case involving fiduciary duty and employee raiding claims against Horizon Bank.

Sources say: "A very responsive firm that provides consistent direction and a lot of credibility." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department chair William Sargent is described by clients as "an excellent communicator, very direct and very knowledgeable." He is commended for his representation of clients in collective bargaining agreements, overtime cases, trade secrets and wrongful termination claims.