Assist with fulfilling the mission of OPEIU, which is to improve the lives of working families by bringing economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our communities. Acting as a strong and united voice in the workplace and in the communities in which we live, OPEIU seeks to bring the benefits of representation to all working people and their families.OPEIU Region VII Includes: Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

In-House Counsel - Labor and Employee Relations and Deputy District Director. Drive overall strategic direction all legal matters involving the Association. Lead in helping to resolve employment and labor disputes, grievances and complaints in accordance with the law and Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Provide advice and counsel to the MAGE Board of Directors, Executive Committees, Officers, and managers. Provide legal advice and counsel on legislation and legislation initiatives. Investigate employment practices or alleged violations of Civil Service rules and regulations or law to correct discriminatory factors. Represent MAGE members in the Civil Service grievance process, including representing members at Arbitrations or Civil Service Hearings, and supervise Law Clerks and Internships.

Attorney and Civil Mediator, practicing in: Employment and Labor Law, Real-Estate Law, Business Law, Contract Law, Bankruptcy for Creditor’s Rights and Municipality Law.

The primary Labor Relation Specialist at a Public Employer with approximately 1300 to 1800 public employees. Counseling & Coaching - Provided advice and counsel on: contract interpretation, corrective and disciplinary procedures, new hire orientations, training, investigations, selections and classifications, staffing, legal compliance with state and federal statutes, including FMLA, ADA, ADEA, FOIA, and provided counseling on risk assessment. Hearings & Litigation - Managed caseload of arbitration and Civil Service hearing matters, and represented Employer at arbitrations, mediations, Unfair Labor Practice proceedings, Unemployment Insurance Agency hearings and Civil Service hearings. Represented Employer on over 200 grievances scheduled to arbitration - with an approximate 88% settlement rate.Bargaining & Negotiation - Chief Negotiator for Department of State Secondary Contract, MSEA 2012 & 2014, and Primary Bargaining Team member 2011-12, SEIU Contract, and negotiated and drafted labor and employment agreements and settlements.Chair Representative and Co-Chair for Employer at Labor-Management meetings.Investigated and responded to EEOC and MDCR complaints and represented the Employer in administrative proceedings. Managed grievance process: conducted grievance investigations, administered grievances through all steps of the grievance process, conducted grievance hearings, advocated at arbitration hearings and draft post-hearing briefs. Reduced overall grievance frequency by over 50%.Managed Department’s drug and alcohol program.

Represented clients in a variety of civil legal matters including labor and employment law, real estate law, and municipal law matters.