Andrea is a litigator who, since 1993, has represented manufacturers, contractors, financial institutions and others involved in employment, commercial and construction disputes. Always open to a new challenge, Andrea learned at a young age how to assert her position and negotiate solutions. “Growing up number 8 in a family of 11 children played a large role in forming my personality and my competitive nature. Long before I was born, my parents adopted a policy of not interfering in disputes among the kids. Left to our own devices, we kids solved a few of our disputes with fist fights, but more often with diplomacy. I learned very early how to hold my own in either forum,” she says. Andrea also serves as the firm’s Associate General Counsel.

Representative Experience

Employment Experience
  • Successfully defended utility contractor in gender discrimination and retaliation case, resulting in “no cause” jury verdict for the employer
  • Obtained numerous summary judgment awards on behalf of defendants in employment-based lawsuits, including gender discrimination, retaliation, age discrimination, disability, and FMLA claims
  • Successfully defended tier-two auto supplier in sexual harassment and defamation case, obtaining directed verdict at the close of plaintiff's proofs
  • Successfully defended large Michigan utility company against claims for hostile environment, sexual harassment and retaliation, obtaining directed verdict at the close of all proofs
  • Successfully defended professional firm against claims for hostile environment sexual harassment and retaliation, obtaining directed verdict at the close of plaintiff's proofs

Commercial/Construction Experience
  • Represented large West Michigan mechanical contractor in obtaining substantial award in commercial contract dispute before the International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration
  • Represented hospital in complex negotiations with architectural and engineering design firm, successfully avoiding protracted dispute resolution and keeping hospital construction project on track to completion
  • Successfully defended large Michigan utility company in trespass and conversion case, reversing substantial default and instead obtaining net judgment of $0 where the plaintiffs were claiming damages over $1 million
  • Represented West Michigan insurance company in obtaining substantial award in breach of commercial contract dispute before the American Arbitration Association
  • Represented German manufacturing company in sales/distribution dispute before the International Chamber of Commerce International court of Arbitration
  • Successfully defended West Michigan insurance company in commercial contract dispute before the American Arbitration Association

Honors and Awards

  • Lawyer of the Year 2002, Michigan Lawyers Weekly

Bar Associations

  • American Bar Association
    Litigation Section; Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; Forum on the Construction Industry
  • State Bar of Michigan
    Litigation Section; Labor and Employment Section
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association
    Litigation Section; Labor and Employment Section

Teaching and Lecturing

  • "Discrimination & Harassment," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, March 25, 2011, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Publications

  • "Due Diligence and Dispute Resolution: The Role Each Plans to Improve Commercial Real Estate Loan Repayments," Michigan Banker, January 2011

Professional Affiliations

  • Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
    Past Section Chair, Labor and Employment

Community Affiliations

  • Leadership Grand Rapids
    Class of 2004
  • St. Stephen Parish
    Member, Parish Finance Council

News

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