Fall · Practice area
Employment & Crisis Counsel
Everyday employment counsel for Michigan employers, and a steady hand when a workplace problem turns into a crisis.
When conditions turn.
Most workplace crises start small: a complaint, a departure, a message that should not have been sent. Handled well in the first days, they usually stay small.
We advise employers and executives on hiring, policies, discipline and separations, so problems are less likely to start. When one does, we help you respond quickly and carefully: protect the people involved, preserve the right records, investigate fairly and communicate clearly.
If a matter becomes a charge or a lawsuit, our litigation team is down the hall, already familiar with the facts.
What we handle
- Handbooks, policies and manager training
- Offer letters, separation and restrictive-covenant agreements
- Wage-and-hour and leave questions
- Workplace investigations and agency charges
- Crisis response and communications support
How we work
A plan for the conditions ahead.
01
Steady
In the first call we help you decide what to do in the next forty-eight hours, and what not to do.
02
Understand
We gather the facts through a fair, documented review, often led by us so it is protected and credible.
03
Resolve
We recommend a path forward, from a policy fix to a negotiated separation, and help you carry it out and explain it well.
Who you will work with
Marcus Pell
Partner · Employment & Crisis Counsel
The worst day at a company is rarely the day of the problem. It is the day after, when everyone is guessing. We make sure nobody has to guess.
Common questions
Before you call.
An employee has made a complaint. What should we do first?
Take it seriously, keep it confidential, make sure no one retaliates, and preserve relevant records. Then talk to counsel about whether and how to investigate.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Michigan?
Michigan courts can enforce reasonable non-competes that protect legitimate business interests, but the details matter, and federal and state rules continue to change. Have your agreements reviewed regularly.
Do you represent employees?
Our employment practice primarily advises employers and executives. If we cannot help with your situation, we are glad to suggest where to turn.
First conversation
Talk to us before the weather turns.
A first consultation is thirty minutes, by phone or in our Ann Arbor office. Bring your questions; we will tell you plainly whether and how we can help.