Labor & Employment Associate

Miller Johnson; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

401(k)-retirement plan

Job summary

Miller Johnson is seeking a Labor & Employment Associate to join our dynamic Legal Practice Group in Michigan. This attorney will provide essential guidance in employment counseling, compliance, and litigation to employers on various workplace matters.

The ideal candidate should have a J.D., be admitted to the Michigan Bar, and possess 2–6 years of relevant experience.

We foster a supportive and inclusive culture, offering competitive wages and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 2–6 years of Labor & Employment experience, including counseling and/or litigation.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day guidance on workplace issues.
• Represent clients in state and federal courts on employment disputes.
• Assist with collective bargaining and labor arbitrations.

Skills

Employment Counseling

Legal Research

Communication Skills

Analytical Abilities

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Admission to the Michigan Bar

Job description

Overview

Miller Johnson is seeking a Labor & Employment Associate to join our dynamic and highly collaborative Labor & Employment Practice Group in our Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Kalamazoo office. This attorney will advise and represent employers across a broad range of workplace matters, including employment counseling, compliance, litigation, and—depending on experience—traditional labor support. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator with excellent judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing practical, solutions-focused guidance to clients. The ideal candidate will be located in Michigan.

Responsibilities

• Employment Counseling & Compliance
  • Provide day-to-day guidance on workplace issues such as hiring, discipline, termination, accommodations, wage and hour, performance management, workplace accommodations and leave administration (FMLA, ADA, PWFA and ESTA).
  • Draft and update employee handbooks, policies, employment agreements, severance agreements, and internal protocols.
  • Counsel HR teams and business leaders on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
  • Conduct or support internal investigations involving alleged misconduct, and employee complaints of discrimination, retaliation or harassment.
  • Monitor legal developments and support client training initiatives.
• Employment Litigation
  • Represent clients in state and federal courts on a wide range of employment disputes, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and wage/hour claims.
  • Handle administrative charges before the EEOC, MDCR, and other agencies, including position statements and mediation.
  • Manage case strategy, discovery, motion practice, depositions, mediations, and hearings.
  • Prepare persuasive briefs, legal memoranda, and client communications.
• Traditional Labor Support (Depending on Experience)
  • Assist with collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, and union-related strategy.
  • Provide guidance on labor-contract interpretation and grievance processing.
  • Support clients responding to union organizing activity and NLRB / MERC proceedings.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission (or eligibility for admission) to the Michigan Bar.
• 2–6 years of Labor & Employment experience, including counseling and/or litigation.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communication skills with a client-service mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience handling wage/hour issues, accommodations, investigations, or employment litigation.
• Prior work representing employers across manufacturing, education, healthcare, financial services, or other regulated industries.
• Experience preparing and delivering training for management or HR audiences.
• Traditional labor exposure is a plus but not required.

Culture & Benefits

At Miller Johnson, our culture is anchored in our Core Values and how we work together:

Who We Are

• Integrity and Candor – We speak the truth
• Down to Earth – We stay humble and real
• Grit – We push through and get it done
• Committed to Excellence – We raise the bar
• Committed to Impact – We lift others up

How We Work

• Entrepreneurial Mindset – We think like owners
• Down to Business – We move fast and stay practical
• Rooted and Invested – We build lasting trust

We are committed to fostering an exceptional work experience that includes a healthy work-life balance and an inclusive culture that values uniquely talented team members. We offer competitive wages, flexible scheduling, paid time off, and annual performance reviews. Our benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance, and a 401(k)-retirement plan. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).