Christopher R. Mikula’s practice focuses on defending businesses in traditional labor matters, and in employment counseling and litigation. Immediately prior to joining Ogletree, Mr. Mikula worked at a large Michigan-based law firm where he focused on these same areas of practice. Before entering private practice, Mr. Mikula served as Legal Director for the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Michigan (SEIU) in Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Mikula regularly defends employers in litigation matters in state and federal courts as well as in administrative charges and hearings brought before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Michigan Department of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Labor, and Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth – Wage and Hour Division.
Mr. Mikula also has significant experience representing management in collective bargaining negotiations, and in representing companies in labor arbitration and employment arbitration matters.
In addition to his experience in adversarial matters, Mr. Mikula also specializes in providing preventative legal advice to help companies develop positive labor-relations strategies and avoid litigation and labor organizing. Mr. Mikula has also drafted and revised dozens of employee handbooks and numerous other types of employment policies to ensure clear communication of workplace objectives while also ensuring compliance with ever-developing federal and state laws.
