Robert Chovanec practices in the area of employment law.  Robert is an expert in all aspects of U.S. federal and state employment law. He represents employers in collective bargaining contract negotiation and administration, arbitrations, NLRB representation and unfair labor practice proceedings, Affirmative Action Plan design and compliance, EEOC and state civil rights agency proceedings, USDOL proceedings relating to the FLSA and the FMLA, state law wage and hour investigations and disputes, OSHA and state OSHA proceedings, along with handling discrimination claims before state and federal administrative agencies.  He also assists employers in compliance with federal and state employment laws, maintaining union-free status or dealing with incumbent unions, handling day-to-day employment law issues, designing and implementing employment policies and agreements, severance/parachute payments, executive agreements and compensation programs and employment issues in acquisitions.

Honors and Awards

  • Named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2006-2011
  • Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law-Management, Labor Law-Management, 2003-2012
  • Rated a leader in the field of labor and employment law in Michigan by Chambers USA 2009-2011

Bar Associations

  • American Bar Association
    Labor and Employment Law Section, Committee on Developing Labor Law; Corporation Banking Section; Business Law Section
  • State Bar of Michigan
    Labor and Employment Law Section
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association

Teaching and Lecturing

  • Presents seminars and training programs on Diversity and Harassment, Employment Policy Design, Discipline and Discharge, Collective Bargaining, Collective Bargaining Agreement Administration, the ADA, the FMLA, and the FLSA
  • Has served as moderator of and participant in the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education Annual Update on the ADA and FMLA
  • Has presented at the Institute's Annual Meetings on employment law topics including Employment Issues in Acquisitions, Noncompetition Agreements, and Executive Employment Contracts
  • "Union Issues," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, March 23, 2010, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • "Employer of Choice - Personal Worth," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, September 11, 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan 
  • "The Importance of Positive Employee Relations for Non-Union Employers," 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
  • "FMLA and ADA in the Real World," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, May 10, 2007, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Publications

  • Author of the American With Disabilities Act chapter for Employment Law in Michigan - An Employer's Guide
  • Contributing editor to The Developing Labor Law, the American Bar Association's two-volume treatise on the National Labor Relations Act and practice before the National Labor Relations Board, 2nd, 3rd and 4th editions

Professional Affiliations

  • National Association for Employee Recognition
    Director and past President

Community Affiliations

  • Grand Rapids Symphony
    Board of Directors and Executive Committee (1990-00)
  • St. Cecilia Music Center
    Board of Directors (2008-11)

News

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