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Brian Schwartz Elected as Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that principal attorney Brian Schwartz, leader of the firm’s Employment and Labor Group, has been elected as a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers is a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 to honor leading lawyers in the field and has evolved into a national resource for the labor and employment law community, the judiciary, government and academia. Members promote excellence in the practice of law by setting high standards of professionalism and civility and by sharing their experience and knowledge. Only the most distinguished leaders in the legal community are invited to become fellows.
“Election as a fellow is one of the highest professional honors bestowed on labor and employment attorneys,” said Miller Canfield CEO Michael Palizzi. “Brian is an exceptional lawyer and leader whose judgment, professionalism and commitment to client service reflect the very best of our profession. This recognition is well deserved.”
Schwartz represents management in all aspects of labor and employment counseling and litigation. His practice includes defending single-plaintiff and class-action lawsuits involving employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour claims, FMLA claims, ERISA disputes, retiree health benefit disputes, Title IX claims, Freedom of Information Act matters and due process litigation. He also counsels employers on drafting and enforcing noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreements.
He has represented universities, public entities and private employers in complex and high-profile matters, including Title IX athletics litigation, discrimination and retaliation claims, ERISA actions, appellate matters and employment disputes involving public institutions. His reported and published decisions include matters before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Michigan Court of Appeals and federal district courts.
Schwartz is recognized by Chambers USA for Employment and Labor and by Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Litigation and Employment Law–Management and was named the 2026 Detroit “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor and Employment Litigation. He also has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a “Go-To Lawyer” for employment law and by Michigan Super Lawyers for employment litigation defense.
He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.S. from Cornell University. He will be inducted as a fellow in November 2027.
