Class, Collective Action + Complex Employment Litigation

Miller Canfield lawyers possess decades of experience litigating class and collective employment actions in trial and appellate courts from coast to coast. Given our experience, we've developed a high degree of sophistication in our class employment litigation strategies, including pre-trial, limited discovery, opposing class certification, prevailing on the merits and negotiating settlements that serve our clients’ best interests.

Clients rely on Miller Canfield to successfully litigate a wide variety of class and complex lawsuits, including disputes over wage and hour rules, age discrimination, race discrimination, hostile work environment, ERISA retiree health benefits, and other employment discrimination claims. We excel at formulating efficient and winning strategies for class action lawsuits, working closely with our clients to ensure they are comfortable with the strategy and general approach to each phase of litigation.

Trial Ready

Miller Canfield's Employment + Labor group includes some of the most experienced trial lawyers in the country. We have successfully defended clients facing significant potential liability. While many class actions settle after discovery and motion practice, we know how to take large cases to trial and how to present complicated legal and factual issues to a jury in a clear, persuasive manner. We use the latest trial presentation techniques, work with experienced jury consultants, and collaborate with clients to retain experts who can handle themselves at trial.

Preventive Measures

Given the time and expense associated with defending a class action lawsuit, we understand the importance of addressing workplace discontent before it leads to litigation. Having defended many employers facing employment class and collective actions, Miller Canfield lawyers are skilled in recognizing the signs and symptoms of class litigation. We provide clients with excellent advice about detecting signs of potential trouble, so it can be addressed before it develops into litigation.

Comprehensive Document Management

E-discovery, if not handled properly, can make or break a case. Document retention, retrieval and production pose some of the greatest challenges in large complex cases, and can involve considerable expense. Miller Canfield has a team of attorneys and legal assistants with deep experience in corporate document and discovery management. We do the job right, and at reasonable cost.

Representative Matters

Aerospace Manufacturer Retiree Health Benefit Claim
Successfully represented a prominent aerospace manufacturer after a union and retired workers claiming to represent hundreds of class members sued the company alleging entitlement to lifetime health benefits. After prevailing in efforts to transfer venue to a more appropriate court, Miller Canfield filed and prevailed on a motion for summary judgment.
School District Age Discrimination
Represented a local school district against a union and hundreds of former employees in an age discrimination class action lawsuit. We obtained summary disposition at the state court level, then successfully requested the dismissal of a parallel class action filed in federal court.
Utility Company Fair Labor Standards Act
Successfully represented a public utility company in a wage and hour collective action brought by over 300 employees alleging entitlement to overtime. The federal district court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims. They appealed and we successfully defended the dismissal before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Clothing Retailer Race Discrimination
Defended a clothing retail chain in a purported class action involving race discrimination claims. The case settled on favorable terms after the court declined to certify a class.
Gaming Industry Hostile Work Environment
Won partial summary judgment, leading to a favorable settlement, on behalf of a Detroit casino where nine plaintiffs alleged hostile work environment claims on behalf of themselves and all other African-American employees. After the firm successfully obtained dismissal of the claims of five named plaintiffs, the remaining plaintiffs immediately began settlement negotiations.
U.S. Retailer Age Discrimination
Defended a major retailer in a class action involving sales associates alleging age discrimination arising out of a nationwide reorganization. The Eastern District of Michigan Judge dismissed the lawsuit, avoiding potential damages claims exceeding $16 million.