Leigh M. Schultz

Leigh talks to employers every day about issues related to hiring, firing, discipline, time off under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the employer's policies, accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), wage and hour issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Michigan Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act.

Leigh also frequently investigates allegations of harassment, discrimination and retaliation and counsels her clients on ways to be proactive to prevent such claims from arising.  

Leigh also defends employers against administrative charges and lawsuits involving claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, defamation, emotional distress, invasion of privacy, tortious interference, and/or alleged statutory violations under the FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Equal Pay Act (EPA), the Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (PWDCRA), the Michigan Whistleblowers Protection Act (WPA), and the Bullard Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act (ERKA).

In addition, Leigh regularly assists businesses in drafting personnel policies, employee handbooks, and employment agreements, including non-compete, non-solicitation, confidentiality and arbitration provisions. She aids in enforcing employment agreements against current and former employees when it becomes necessary as well. She also frequently drafts post-employment separation agreements and provides advice on severance packages and related issues. 

Furthermore, Leigh often provides training to employers and their employees and speaks publicly to human resources representatives and general counsel on various topics such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, hiring, firing, discipline, leaves of absence, social media, FLSA, ADA and FMLA.

Leigh also negotiates collective bargaining agreements, arbitrates grievances filed by unions on behalf of employees that they represent and defends Unfair Labor Practice charges.

"Reopening the Upper Peninsula," Invest UP webinar, May 21, 2020

"The #MeToo Movement – What Should an Employer Do?," ONEPlace@kpl, July 2018

"The #MeToo Movement – What Should an Employer Do?," Miller Canfield HR Spring Training Seminar, April 2018

"Sexual Harassment in the Workplace," Women's Mastermind of Kalamazoo, January 2018

"Best Practices for Compliance with Title IX," Michigan Community College Human Resources Association Fall Conference, October 2017

"Understanding Wage and Hour Laws for Non-Profits," ONEPlace@kpl, July 2017

"Independent Contractors," Miller Canfield Seminar, June 2017

"Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law," National Emergency Number Association (NENA), Michigan Chapter Conference, May 2017

"What's Happening at the Department of Labor," Michigan Community College Human Resources Association Spring Conference, May 2017

"What's Happening at the Department of Labor," Miller Canfield HR Spring Training Seminar, April 2017

2017 Professional Development / Employment Law Seminar, Greater Lansing SHRM, March 2017

"2017 Employment Law Update," Michigan Chamber of Commerce, February 2017

"Hot Topics In Labor and Employment Law," Miller Canfield Half Day Seminar, November 2016

"DOL's New Salary and Overtime Rules & Impact on Non-Profits," ONEPlace@kpl, September 2016

"Panel Discussion on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Student Requirements," Starts&Spaces Leadership Services, Inc. & MASA Success Start Kick-Off Conference, August 2016

"How to Prepare for and Deal with the New FLSA Overtime Rules," Miller Canfield Seminar, August 2016

"Latest Developments in the ADA," SEAK Workers Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference, July 2016

"Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law," National Emergency Number Association (NENA), Michigan Chapter Conference, May 2016

"Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Workplace," Miller Canfield HR Spring Training Seminar, April 2016

"Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law," Greater Lansing Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management, March 2016

"Understanding the FMLA and ADA," Sterling Education Services, January 2016

"DOL Proposes Wholesale Changes to Overtime Rules Salary Requirements," Michigan Chamber of Commerce, September 2015

"Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law: What Employers Need to Know for 2016," Rose Street Advisors Annual Seminar, September 2015

ICLE On Demand Seminar, The Basics of the Family Medical Leave Act, August 2015

National Emergency Number Association (NENA), Michigan Chapter Conference, Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law, May 2015

Kalamazoo Human Resource Management Association (KHRMA), How to Investigate and Respond to Complaints of Harassment & Discrimination, January 2015

Michigan Primary Care Association, Drafting Tailor-Made Employment and Severance Agreements, October 2014

Kalamazoo Association of Volunteer Administrators, How Wage and Hour Laws Impact Interns and Volunteers, October 2014

Rose Street Advisors Annual Seminar, Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law: What Employers Need to Know for 2015, September 2014

National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), Is Anyone Coming to Work Today?, June 2014

Michigan Career Placement Association, How Wage and Hour Laws Impact Student Workers, June 2014

"Hottest Topics in Employment Law," Greater Lansing Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management, March 13, 2014

"EEOC and ADA Update," Southwest Michigan Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management, November 20, 2013

"Wage & Hour - 5 Critical Ways to Reduce Your Risk," Miller Canfield HR Spring Training Seminar, April 30, 2013

"What's Hot In Labor and Employment Law," Kalamazoo Human Resources Management Association Day Conference, May 8, 2012

"How to Avoid Papering Over the Cracks: Drafting Tailor-Made Employment and Severance Agreements the First Time," Miller Canfield Human Resources Spring Training Seminar, April 24, 2012

"Social Media & The Workplace," Branch County Human Resources Council, January 11, 2012

"Everything You Need to Know About Time Off," Employment Law Briefings, December 13, 2011

"Everything You Need to Know About Hiring and Firing," Employment Law Briefings, December 6, 2011 

"Avoiding Discrimination, ADA, and Harassment Lawsuits," Human Resources Council of Southwest Michigan, May 18, 2011

"How Independent Are Your Contractors," Miller Canfield Human Resources Spring Training Seminar, April 26, 2011

"It's Time for a Human Resources Audit," Miller Canfield Human Resources Spring Training Seminar, April 27, 2010

"Managing Employment Reductions," Miller Canfield West Side Employment Law Seminar, April 28, 2009

"'Hot' Issues in Employment Law,"  National City Insurance Group, Employment Law Update, October 8, 2008