Randolph T. Barker represents businesses, individuals, and municipalities on a broad spectrum of commercial, real estate, construction, corporate governance, and labor and employment matters.
Mr. Barker exclusively represents management in all aspects of workforce administration, including risk management counseling, discipline and discharge issues, severance agreements, personnel policies, intellectual property and trade secret protection, benefit and compensation plans, employment agreements, reductions in force/WARN Act issues, and record retention practices. Mr. Barker also assists unionized employers in collective bargaining agreement negotiations, contract administration issues (such as grievance and arbitration matters), and employer campaigns. He defends employers in court and before administrative agencies against wrongful discharge actions, discrimination and harassment claims under state law and Title VII (such as those based on race, disability, sex, age, or religion), union grievance matters, wage and hour/overtime claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state law, Family Medical Leave (FMLA) claims, breach of contract and commission disputes, whistleblower claims, unfair labor practice charges, trust fund penalty cases, and enforcement of non-compete agreements.
In his real estate practice, Mr. Barker negotiates and drafts real estate purchase agreements, leases, construction and development agreements, condominium documents, and financing agreements. He has extensive experience litigating title and boundary disputes, zoning matters, nuisance claims, construction defect, cost overrun and delay claims, construction lien disputes, insurance coverage issues, and property tax appeals. As a licensed real estate broker, Mr. Barker provides his clients with added value in the form of a unique industry perspective to both routine and complex real estate transactions and litigation matters.
A mediator certified by the Michigan Supreme Court, Mr. Barker is frequently called upon by trial court judges, arbitrators, and attorneys to facilitate resolution of commercial, employment, real estate, construction law, and probate disputes.
Mr. Barker is recognized as being among Michigan’s SuperLawyers, dBusiness Top Lawyers, and by Michigan Leading Lawyers.
Practice Areas
- Arbitration/Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Complex Commercial and General Business Litigation
- Employment and Labor Relations Law
- Real Estate and Construction Law
- Government and Municipal Law
- Trust and Estate Litigation
- Insurance Defense
Education
- University of Toledo College of Law, J.D. cum laude (2000)
- Eastern Michigan University, B.A. (1996)
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Michigan
- Ohio Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Honors
- Michigan SuperLawyers
- Michigan Leading Lawyers
- dBusiness Top Lawyers
- Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys
- Detroit Association of REALTORS® - 2017 REALTOR® of the Year
Professional and Civic Involvement
- State Bar of Michigan
Real Property Law, Labor & Employment Law, and Litigation Sections - Washtenaw County Bar Association
Member of the Board of Directors; Former Chairperson, Real Estate Law Section and Labor & Employment Law Section - Monroe County Bar Association
- Lenawee County Bar Association
- Detroit Association of REALTORS®
Member of the Board of Directors; Past President; Coordinator of Professional Standards and Continuing Education Committees - Washtenaw 100 Club
- Active in various community organizations