Michael R. Blum, Esq.

Abbott Nicholson, P.C., Detroit, USA

MICHAEL R. BLUM, ESQ.

During my career as a labor lawyer, I have handled litigation both as an advocate and as a fact-finder and decision-maker. With the NLRB, I investigated cases, held hearings in representations cases, and tried cases in unfair labor practice cases. I also wrote decisions as a Hearing Officer and for issuance by the Regional Director for the NLRB. As an attorney with Abbott Nicholson, I have tried cases in arbitration, before governmental agencies, and in the courts. Specifically, I have tried employment cases before AAA arbitrators, the Michigan Department of Labor (now Consumer and Industry Services), National Labor Relations Board, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Genessee Circuit Courts and federal district court. I have also processed appeals in both the federal and state court systems.

I have also handled numerous charges filed with various governmental agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, U.S. Department of Labor, Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (formerly DOL), Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Michigan Unemployment Agency, and various local municipalities. I have defended claims of sex discrimination, sexual harassment/race discrimination harassment, age discrimination, religious discrimination, disability discrimination, hostile environment, wage payment matters, health and safety matters, claims of unfair labor practices, living wage issues, and unemployment issues.

However, throughout my career, a primary focus has been resolution of disputes, with litigation being a last resort. I have used mediation extensively through the mandatory mediation process in state court, through voluntary facilitation in connection with federal and state court litigation, and through the voluntary mediation programs. In this regard, I spend a considerable amount of time counseling clients with respect to establishing employment policies and taking proactive measures to minimize or avoid the risks of litigation.

• Common Situs Picketing, State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Law Section, Fall, 1998
• Compliance with Federal and State Employment Laws, CLA Advantage, December, 1997
• Recent Legislation Favors Michigan Employers, CLA Advantage, September, 1996
• HR Question: On-Call Duty: When is an Employer Required to Compensaate its Employees?, American Society of Employers, June, 1996
• HR Question: Reference Checking: How Does the New Law Affect Employers?, American Society of Employers, April, 1996
• Compensatory Time vs. Overtime, CLA Advantage, March, 1996
• HR Dilemma: Drafting an Effective E-Mail Policy, American Society of Employers, March, 1996
• HR Question: Legalities of Compensatory Time, Americn Society of Employers, February, 1996
• Your Employee Tells You She's Pregnant--Now What?, American Society of Employers, August, 1994
• Downsizing: The Legal Perils, American Society of Employers, November, 1993