Education
Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
Princeton University, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
- New York
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals
- Sixth Circuit
- Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court
- Eastern District of Michigan
- Western District of Michigan
Languages
- English
Ashley Higginson's practice focuses on employment and labor issues, counseling, and litigation.
Ashley represents management in defending single-plaintiff and class-action lawsuits involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, as well as wage and hour claims, FMLA claims, and due process lawsuits. She counsels employers on drafting enforceable employment contracts, non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements and releases and litigating related claims. She also has significant internal investigation experience.
Ashley has a particular focus in counseling higher education, K-12 and other public clients on Title IX, FOIA, the Open Meetings Act, FERPA, and other day-to-day issues.
Honors
Ingham County Bar Association, Top 5 Under 35, 2024
State Bar of Michigan, Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021, 2024
Middle distance runner: U.S. Olympic Alternate, Pan-American & NACAC Gold Medalist, 3-time Collegiate All-American, 5-time National Champion
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
United States Track and Field Association, Serve on Legal Committee at the Selection of USTAF President, 2021-2024
Greater Lansing Society of Human Resource Management, Board Member & Legislative Director
Highfields Inc., Board Member
AthleteBiz, Board Member
Covenant House, Board Member
Teaching
Seton Hall Law School, guest lecturer
Speeches
"AI in Local Government - Harnessing Potential and Managing Challenges," 2024 Michigan Municipal Executives Summer Workshop, July 17, 2024
"AI in the Workplace," Co-Presenter with Caroline Giordano, Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers Annual Meeting, May 22, 2024
"DEI Did Not Die: Reflections on Workplace Diversity After the Supreme Court’s Ruling in Harvard," Co-Presenter with Michelle Crockett, Miller Canfield 2024 HR Spring Training
"The AI Revolution: Navigating New Frontiers in Workplace Employment," Co-Presenter with Erica Jilek, Miller Canfield 2024 HR Spring Training
"Title IX in K-12 Update," Co-Presenter with Ahmad Chehab, Michigan School Business Officials Annual Conference, April 25, 2024
"Navigate Legal Landmines at Your HR Department," Co-Presenter with Ahmad Chehab, Michigan School Business Officials Annual Conference, April 23, 2024
"Artificial Intelligence Update," Co-Presenter with Caroline Giordano, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) General Assembly, March 21, 2024
"AI is Already in the Workplace – Are You Ready?" Co-Presenter with Erica Jilek, Michigan Chamber of Commerce MiBiz360: Talent & HR Summit, March 6, 2024
"Hottest, Evolving Employment Law Issues," Panelist, Michigan Chamber of Commerce MiBiz360 Podcast, Feb. 1, 2024
"What’s Lawful and Unlawful in the Hiring Process," Miller Canfield 2023 HR Spring Training
"Employee Rights: Leaves, Accommodations and Curbing Abuse" and "Title IX in K-12: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?", Michigan School Business Officials 2023 Annual Conference, April 26, 2023
"Correcting Overtime and Worker Misclassification Issues Before They Result in Litigation," Miller Canfield 2022 HR Fall Training Camp
"Are You My Employee? How to Avoid Expensive Wage and Hour Mistakes, and Properly Categorize Your Workforce," Michigan Chamber of Commerce webinar, July 14, 2021
"HIPAA, FERPA & Privacy in the COVID Era," Co-presenter with Samantha Kopacz, Michigan School Business Officials 2021 Annual Conference
"Working in a COVID-19 World," Michigan School Business Officials 2021 Annual Conference
"Anti-discrimination Laws in a COVID-19 World: What Employers Need to Know About ADA, Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws," Michigan Chamber of Commerce webinar, Sept. 17, 2020
Publications
“Title IX under Trump: Attorneys prepare for new (and old) challenges,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Quoted, February 6, 2025
"Abbott Gets an F; Courts Can Provide Extra Credit," 16 Rutgers Race & L. Rev. 289 (2015)
