Photo of Jerome R. Watson

Jerome R. Watson

Of Counsel

Office

T:
+1.313.496.7552
O:
+1.313.963.6420
F:
+1.313.496.7500
LinkedIn
Share

Education

University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1976

University of Michigan, B.A., 1972

Bar Admissions

Jerome Watson has been recognized as one of the top litigators in Michigan. 

He has successfully represented employers in such areas as discrimination, harassment, breach of contract, wrongful discharge, retaliation, and employment class actions.  

Jerome has also litigated various commercial disputes involving a wide range of subject matters including fraud, tax disputes, and constitutional challenges.  

Representative Matters

Honors

Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law-Management, Labor Law-Management, and Litigation-Labor and Employment, 2007-present

Michigan Super Lawyers, Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers 2007-2013, Employment Litigation: Defense 2006-present

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2012 Leader in the Law

DBusiness Magazine, Labor and Employment, 2010-present

Crain's Detroit Business, Best Lawyers Focus, "Takes one to know one: Peers' picks make list of area's top lawyers," December 2010

Professional Activities

Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation

American Employment Law Council, member

National Employment Law Council, member

American Bar Association, member, Labor Law Section

State Bar of Michigan, 1976-present, member, Labor Law Section; Character and Fitness Committee

Miller Canfield Managing Director, 2005-2011; Chair, Miller Canfield Diversity Committee

Federal Bar Association, member

National Bar Association, member

Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Board of Directors

Wolverine Bar Association

Civic, Cultural & Social Activities

Detroit Public Schools Foundation, Board Chair

NAACP Michigan State Conference, General Counsel

Services to Enhance Potential (STEP), Board Member; Past Chairman

Operation Jobs Program, Organizer and Chairman

Inner City Youth Basketball Team, Coach

Detroit Regional Chamber, Graduate, Leadership Detroit VI

Speeches

"The State of Diversity," Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, October 2012

"Making Difficult Human Resource Decisions," Association of Legal Administrators, September 2010

"Wage and Hour Update and Guidance on Audits/Compliance," National Employment Law Conference, April 2010

"Writing An Effective Appeal Brief," Wolverine Bar Association, April 2010

"Strategic Issues In Defense of Major Wage and Hour Litigation," National Employment Law Conference, April 2009

"Challenges and Opportunities Presented by a Diverse Workforce," Miller Canfield Labor Law Seminar, October 2007

"Supreme Court Update," NAACP National Convention, July 2007; NAACP State of Michigan Convention, September 2007

"Advanced Trial Skills - Judge, Jury, and Using Technology," National Employment Law Council, May 2006

Publications

"Safety Issues: Workplace Violence," Employment Law in Michigan 2010, Institute for Continuing Education

"Workplace Safety," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2007

"I Heard It Through The Grapevine: Evidentiary Challenges in Racially Hostile Work Environment Litigation," 19 The Labor Lawyer 381 (2004)

Defending Your Witness During Deposition, (Paper and Publication) ICLE, October 2000

"Employment Law in Michigan," chapter titled "Safety Issues: Workplace Violence," The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, January 1997-present

Articles