John F. Birmingham, Jr. is an employment lawyer, a member of Foley’s Management Committee, former chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice and a partner in the Detroit office. Mr. Birmingham concentrates on class actions, non-competition and trade secrets matters, employment-related litigation, and labor law. He regularly counsels clients on a vast array of labor and employment issues and develops problem prevention and resolution strategies. In addition, he is a member of the Privacy, Security & Information Management and Immigration, Nationality & Consular Law Practices, and the Automotive Industry Team.
John has successfully represented clients in several class actions, trials and arbitrations. He has argued many appellate cases including those before the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and drafted a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. He has also represented clients on unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board and the United States Court of Appeals. John represents clients at trial, administrative tribunals, arbitration or other ADR format involving a wide variety of cases (EEO, ADA, ERISA, FMLA, common law contract and torts and several other areas).
John has negotiated several union contracts and arbitrated over 50 union grievances including collective matters involving health care, vacations, holidays, retirement and other high exposure subjects.
John also is a fair housing expert, counseling and representing clients in the agency and court proceedings.
He has acted as a neutral case evaluator, arbitrator and mediator.
