Robert R. Cleary is a member of the Firm's Southfield office where he practices in the Labor & Employment Law Group. Bob has significant experience in both the traditional labor setting representing management in collective bargaining situations and the employment litigation setting where he has managed and defended a variety of discrimination cases before state and federal courts.

In addition to his experience in private practice, Bob has twice served within a corporate client's legal staff, most recently from 1994 through 1999 as Vice President, Employee Relations for the Taubman Company where he was responsible for all employment-related legal matters, which included union and non-union employees. Bob also counseled Taubman's Development Group providing legal oversight with regard to construction, mergers and acquisitions, and collective bargaining. His responsibilities included the defense and administration of charges brought before the EEOC and state equal employment agencies primarily involving allegations of discrimination and harassment; dealing with traditional union matters.

Bob's broad labor and employment background involves over 28 years of practice representing clients from a diverse range of industries including manufacturing, transportation, property management, construction, retail, public and private education and the public sector. He is also adept with respect to alternative employment arrangements to address business objectives such as contract employees, independent contractors and the precise development of complex reduction in force initiatives. Bob also counsel clients in the strategic implementation of alternative dispute resolution systems and served as a charter member of the Advisory Panel of the National Employment Mediation Services.

Bar Associations

Teaching and Lecturing

• "Employer of Choice - Right People," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, September 11, 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan 
• "Practical Strategies for Avoiding Retaliation Claims," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, September 11, 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• "The Top Ten Issues and Strategies Corporate Counsel Need to Know," Wage and Hour Compliance in 2008, February 26, 2008, Southfield, Michigan

Publications

• Watch For Union Activity With The Passage Of Employee Free Choice Act
• HR Focus

Professional Affiliations

• National Employment Mediation Services
  Advisory Panel Charter Member
  

Community Affiliations

• Country Club of Detroit
  President
  

News

• Experienced Labor Attorney Robert Cleary Joins Warner Norcross
• Top Five Mistakes Employers Make in Firing Employees