Services
Education
Wayne State University Law School, J.D., 2000
North Carolina State University, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court
- Eastern District of Michigan
Michelle P. Crockett leads the firm's hiring of all attorneys, recruitment, diversity, equity & inclusion ("DEI") initiatives, mentoring, and professional development programs.
She also specializes in defending Fortune 500 companies and public-sector clients against a variety of employment-related claims. She conducts internal investigations which involve claims of harassment, retaliation, discrimination, malfeasance, misappropriation of funds, and DEI-related matters. In addition, Michelle has an expertise in providing litigation and traditional labor advice to municipalities, non-profits, and school districts throughout Michigan, which includes but is not limited to assistance with grievances, arbitration hearings, collective bargaining, board governance, special education issues, due process hearings, and student discipline.
Michelle also assists private and public-sector clients with DEI strategic planning, implementation of desired DEI goals/initiatives, and creates and/or conducts training on all matters related to DEI within the workplace. In addition, she provides advice and counsel as to the application of the anti-affirmative action amendment (formerly known as Proposition 2) adopted by Michigan voters in 2007. Michelle also supports government contractors and subcontractors with compliance matters associated with Executive Order 11246, which may involve drafting affirmative action plans, implementing and/or revising existing affirmative action plans, and providing guidance and counsel with OFCCP audits and/or conciliation agreements.
Michelle also served as general counsel for the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan from August 2013 to November 2014.
Representative Matters
Michelle has an extensive background in litigation matters involving all types of discriminatory claims. These cases frequently involve an employee or a number of employees alleging discrimination not only by the company, but also by specific individuals. As a result, the reputations of the company as well as people within the company – often high-level executives – are at stake. In these emotionally charged cases, Michelle believes it is important to understand all the dynamics at play. She has discovered that employees sometimes file lawsuits as a way to be heard or to prove a point. Thus, many lawsuits can either be prevented or resolved quickly if these employees are simply given an opportunity to vent their concerns. Michelle tends to approach all of her cases with this basic understanding of human nature, achieving great results for her clients.
"Fairness, understanding and providing excellent service in a cost-efficient manner is the best way I can serve my clients. My goal is resolution in the most cost-efficient manner for my client."
Honors
The Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation
Fellow, College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
Burton I. Gordin Award for Civil Rights Courage, Michigan Civil Rights Commission, 2023
Crain's Detroit Business 2023 Notable Leaders in Employment and Labor Law, 2021 Notable Executives in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, 2017 Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan
Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law - Management, 2022-present
DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers, Arbitration & Mediation, 2022
Geraldine Bledsoe Ford Award, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, 2021
Respected Advocate Award, Michigan Association for Justice, 2021
Michigan Lawyers Weekly's Leaders in the Law, Class of 2020
State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020
Trailblazer Award, D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, 2019
Leadership Oakland Leader of Leaders, 2018
Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence, 2015
Michigan Super Lawyers, Labor and Employment, 2013; Rising Star, 2008
Professional Activities
Michigan Supreme Court Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Judiciary, Member, 2022-2024
American Bar Association, 2000-present
State Bar of Michigan, 2000-present; Labor and Employment Law Council Member, 2013-present; Chair, 2019-present
Oakland County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section Chair, 2016-2017; member, 2000-present
Oakland County Bar Foundation, Trustee, 2018-present
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation, Board of Directors, 2020-present
Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2020-present
Leadership Oakland XVI, Class of 2006
Leadership Detroit, Class of 2008
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Michigan Community Resources, Board Member, 2016-present; Chair, 2019-present
Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, 2020
Leadership Oakland, President, 2016-2017; Board Member, 2010-2016
Alternatives for Girls, Board Chair, 2014-2018; Board Member, 2012-2019
Michigan Council of School Attorneys, President, 2012
Teaching
University of Michigan Law School, 2017-present: Race in the Law, Social Justice & the Law, Employment Law, and K-12 Education Law
Speeches
"DEI Did Not Die: Reflections on Workplace Diversity After the Supreme Court’s Ruling in Harvard," Miller Canfield 2024 HR Spring Training
"The DEI Landscape after SFAA v Harvard," Troy Chamber of Commerce HR Diversity Summit at Walsh College, May 15, 2024
"The True Impact of Recent SCOTUS and Michigan Statutory Changes," ICLE Labor & Employment Law Institute, Plymouth, MI, April 12, 2024
"HR Believe It or Not," ICLE Labor & Employment Law Institute, Plymouth, MI, April 12, 2024
"Affirmative Action and DEI: Where Do We Stand After SFFA v. Harvard," American Bar Association's National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity Law, Boston, March 19, 2024
"How to Legally Recruit and Retain Talent post-SFFA vs. Harvard," Co-Presenter with Lawrence Garcia, Michigan Chamber of Commerce MiBiz360: Talent & HR Summit, March 6, 2024
"Ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity: The Upcoming Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decisions and the Workplace," Panelist, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, June 16, 2023
"Microaggressions in the Workplace," Panelist, State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section, March 9, 2023
"Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," Moderator, State Bar of Michigan Government Law Section and Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys summer joint educational conference, June 24, 2022
"Impartiality, Implicit Assumptions, Biases and Arbitral Justice," Panelist, State Bar of Michigan Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Annual Conference, Oct. 9, 2021
"Leadership Through Diversity - Understanding the Do's and Don'ts," Troy Chamber of Commerce 2021 Diversity Summit, August 12, 2021
"Tapping Hidden Talent Pools to Fill Your Workforce Needs," Panelist, Michigan Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Series, June 15, 2021
"The Way Forward: A Plan for Boosting Diversity and Inclusion in Law Firms," Michigan Lawyers Weekly webinar, Oct. 20, 2020
"Retaining Women in Law: New Strategies for Engaging and Retaining Women Lawyers," Panelist, Women Legal 2019, San Francisco, California, February 7, 2019
"Women Lawyers Association of Michigan - Celebrating the Past. Inspiring the Future." Panelist, Livonia, Michigan, November 15, 2018
"HR Department of One - Pump Up Your Skills," Panelist for HRAGD, September 2008
"How is Diversity Affected by a Downsizing Auto Industry? (Inclusive of Proposal 2)," Automotive Women's Alliance (AWA), The Townsend Hotel, March 13, 2007
"The Aftermath of the Affirmative Action Decision in Michigan," Miller Canfield Update, Detroit - November 2006, Grand Rapids - December 2006
Publications
"The Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Ruling Will Have Other Impacts" (quoted), Forbes, June 30, 2023
"Supreme Court Dismantles Affirmative Action in College Admissions" (quoted), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), June 30, 2023
"What law firms can learn from President Biden's Cabinet picks," Michigan Lawyers Weekly, February 11, 2021
"Alone on an Island," State Bar of Michigan Bar Journal, September 2013
