Employment Law and Workforce Management Attorneys in Ann Arbor, Michigan

A single employee complaint can stall an entire operation. A poorly drafted employee handbook can expose a company to liability it never anticipated. And a termination that feels routine on Monday can become a wrongful discharge claim by Friday. For Michigan employers, the margin between sound management and legal exposure is often thinner than it appears.

Experience Across Industries and Courtrooms

CMP Law’s employment practice has served employers ranging from small businesses in Ann Arbor to manufacturers, insurers, and governmental agencies across the Great Lakes region for decades. The firm’s attorneys have represented management in EEOC and MDCR proceedings, collective bargaining negotiations, grievance arbitrations, and employment litigation in state and federal courts throughout Michigan. Attorneys in the employment group also bring experience from the firm’s insurance defense litigation practice, where employment-related claims frequently intersect with coverage disputes and institutional defense work.

That cross-practice depth matters. When an employer faces a discrimination claim that also implicates general civil litigation strategy, or when a non-compete dispute involves real estate brokerage relationships or other internal or external business considerations, CMP Law can assemble the right team without sending the client down the street.

Employer Counseling and Compliance

Preventing employment disputes is almost always less costly than litigating them. CMP Law works with employers to establish the policies, agreements, and internal procedures that reduce legal risk before problems escalate.

Our employment and labor law attorneys proactively work with public and private sector employers to navigate regulatory shifts, evaluate personnel policies and payroll practices, and develop preventive measures that meet the needs of employers. CMP Law’s employment attorneys help employers implement changes correctly the first time.

Employer-side counseling at the firm covers:

• Employee handbooks and personnel policy manuals;
• Employment agreements, offer letters, and separation agreements;
• Confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-solicitation agreements;
• Non-compete agreement drafting and enforceability analysis;
• Wage and hour compliance, including ESTA, overtime, and minimum wage obligations;
• ADA reasonable accommodation procedures and interactive process guidance;
• FMLA administration and leave-of-absence protocols.

Because CMP Law’s employment attorneys practice alongside the firm’s business and corporate law and municipal law groups, employer clients benefit from coordinated counsel. A manufacturing company navigating a union grievance, for instance, can draw on attorneys experienced in both labor relations and commercial operations without retaining separate firms.

Employee Equity Offerings and Executive Employment Agreements

CMP Law advises businesses on employee equity offerings and executive employment agreements, helping employers design compensation structures that attract, retain, and reward key talent. The firm counsels clients on employee equity programs for leadership and other essential personnel, including members of the C-suite, whose compensation, governance roles, fiduciary responsibilities, confidentiality obligations, and post-employment restrictions often present unique legal and strategic considerations. CMP Law also drafts and negotiates executive employment agreements addressing compensation, duties, incentives, severance, restrictive covenants, and other critical terms, with the goal of aligning executive arrangements and equity incentives with the company’s long-term business objectives while reducing legal risk.

Defense of Discrimination and Wrongful Termination Claims

CMP Law defends employers against discrimination and retaliation claims filed with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under state and federal antidiscrimination laws. The firm also represents employers in state and federal court when administrative proceedings do not resolve these matters. Our defense capabilities include responding to charges of discrimination, conducting internal investigations, preparing position statements, and representing employers at mediation, case evaluation, and trial.

Non-Compete Agreements and Restrictive Covenants

Our team works closely with management to draft and enforce non-competes that protect legitimate business interests, such as trade secrets, customer relationships, and confidential information, while addressing provisions that could be overly broad. We also assist employers in evaluating whether existing agreements will survive potential legislative changes, and in pursuing or defending injunctions when employees violate valid agreements or otherwise seek to avoid their obligations.

Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

CMP Law’s employment attorneys represent management in collective bargaining negotiations, grievance adjustment and arbitration proceedings, and unfair labor practice charges. The firm also advises employers on union organizing campaigns, management rights provisions, and the day-to-day administration of labor agreements. For clients in the municipal space, the firm’s attorneys handle labor relations issues specific to local government, including police, fire, and public works contract administration and arbitration proceedings.