Pamela C. Enslen

Principal

enslen@millercanfield.com

Kalamazoo
T: +1.269.383.5806
O: +1.269.381.7030
F: +1.269.382.0244

Grand Rapids
T: +1.616.776.6336
O: +1.616.454.8656
F: +1.616.776.6322

Pamela C. Enslen has extensive expertise in employment litigation, including federal and state employment contract, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, and disability claims. She also has a long and impressive track record in commercial litigation, including breach of contract and fraudulent transaction claims, franchise disputes, software misappropriation claims, product liability actions, personal injury matters, and white collar criminal defense. Since 1985, she has handled employment-related and commercial lawsuits in federal and state courts for corporations, municipalities, universities and colleges, medical facilities and practices, and others. In addition, Pam served as a Federal Public Defender from 2001 to mid-2003, and continues to practice criminal defense law in state and federal courts.

“I listen and relate to the concerns of my clients. I help them achieve their goals by remaining focused and unruffled despite obstacles and difficult parties on the other side.”
Pamela C. Enslen

As a trained and certified facilitative mediator for many years, Pam is also experienced in dispute resolution. She serves as a neutral mediator in cases in federal and state courts, as well as matters not yet in litigation. Pam is also a trained arbitrator and has conducted arbitrations through the American Arbitration Association.

Experience

Pam successfully represented a liberal arts college in Michigan in a particularly difficult sexual harassment lawsuit. Through her efforts, the college obtained a favorable settlement, while at the same time severing all ties to the plaintiff who had been a difficult and disruptive professor in the school’s English Department. The resolution of the lawsuit was a great relief to many at the college, and allowed the healing process to begin. After the matter was concluded, several of the professors and administrators at the college kept in touch with Pam for years.

“I helped my client get back on track with its primary purpose of educating its students, enabling professors and administrators to move on from what was an incredibly disruptive and divisive situation.”

Professional Activities

Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2003-present
American Bar Association, House of Delegates 1999-present and Nominating Committee 2010-2013; Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants, 2011-present; SCLAID Indigent Defense Advisory Group, 2011-present; Center for Human Rights Advisory Council, 2010-2011; Criminal Justice Section White Collar Crime Committee Midwest/Detroit Region, Subcommittee co-chair, 2010-present; Governing Council Officer of Dispute Resolution Section, 1993-present; Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, 2007-2010; Standing Committee on Judicial Independence, 2003-2008; Chair, Dispute Resolution Section, 1998-99; Liaison, Commission on Women in the Profession; ADR Committee of the Litigation Section, 1993-00; Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution, 1990-93; Subcommittee on Training Attorneys to Operate in an ADR Environment, Chairman
Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow 2009-present
State Bar of Michigan, Representative Assembly, 2010-present; Justice Initiatives: Equal Access Initiative panel, 2010-present; CJI Criminal Issues Initiative, 2011-present; Committee on United States Courts, 2006-present; Committee on Arbitration and ADR, 1986-91; ADR and Arbitration Section Council, 1985-99
Massachusetts Bar Association
State Bar of California
Federal Bar Association, Member, Board of Governors, West Michigan Chapter, 2003-present; West Michigan Chapter Scholarship Committee, 1992-present
American Inns of Court, Master, Grand Rapids Chapter
Kalamazoo County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 1996-99, 2007-present; Chairman, Law Day Committee, 1989; Mediation Committee, 1991-present; Pro Bono Committee, 1986-present; ADR Committee, 1993-present
Michigan Supreme Court, Dispute Resolution Court Rule Committee, 2007-2008
Women Lawyers' Association of Michigan, Regional Representative, Gender Bias Committee, 1989-90
American Arbitration Association, Member, Panel of Arbitrators
National Dispute Resolution Resource Center, Chairman, 1993-99 (Washington, D.C.)
Inforum, Executive Leadership Program, 2008

Honors + Awards

Michigan Super Lawyers, Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers 2010-present; Employment Litigation: Defense 2006-present
Best Lawyers in America, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation 2008-2011; Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense-White Collar, Litigation-First Amendment, Litigation-Labor & Employment, and Mediation 2012
Business Review West Michigan, 2011 Thought Leaders in the Law
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 1999 Michigan Lawyers of the Year
American Bar Association, Commission on Women in the Profession, 2004 Pathways to Leadership
American Mensa, member
Marquis Who's Who in America
Marquis Who's Who in the World
Marquis Who's Who in American Law
Who's Who among Rising Young Americans
International Who's Who

Civic, Cultural + Social Activities

Michigan Women's Foundation, Board of Trustees 2012
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, 2011-present
Gryphon Place, Board of Directors, 2007-2010, Dispute Resolution Services Advisory Committee
Kalamazoo Kiwanis, Board of Directors, 2011-present
American Cancer Society, Board of Directors, Michigan Division, Inc.; Kalamazoo County Unit, 1991-94; Volunteer, Personnel Leadership Group
Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, Graduate, Class of Leadership Kalamazoo, 1991
Community Dispute Resolution Center, Kalamazoo and Barry Counties, Cofounder and Member of Board of Directors, 1987-93; Vice-president, Board of Directors, 1987-88

Teaching Experience

Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Adjunct Professor, teaching course in Alternative Dispute Resolution, 1994-95

Publications

"Health Care Fraud Enforcement," (Co-Author), The Federal Lawyer, June 2010

“Contractual Alternative Dispute Resolution: What It Is and Why It Should Be Used,” International Legal Strategy Monthly Magazine (1994)

“Michigan Pleading and Practice-ADR,” Lawyers Cooperative Publishing (1994)

“Incorporating ADR into Law Firm Practice,” (Co-Author), Michigan Bar Journal (1993)

“Attorney Duty to Inform Clients of ADR”? Michigan Bar Journal (1993) (selected for journals and law reviews database on WESTLAW)

"The Status of Governmental Immunity in Michigan and its Impact on Municipalities,” State Bar of Michigan General Practice Journal, (1982)

Speeches

Frequent speaker before professional and public bodies on alternative dispute resolution and employment, commercial, and criminal law.

Seminars:

Harvard Mediation Skills Workshop

Seminars + Events

Articles

Newsletters

News

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