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Avila Named to Leadership Grand Rapids 2018

August 30, 2017

Varnum attorney Luis Avila has been accepted into Leadership Grand Rapids, the nine-month leadership program designed to enhance and connect leaders from a cross section of the community.

An attorney at Varnum, Avila focuses his practice on labor, employment and immigration issues. He is experienced in employment litigation and traditional labor matters including grievances, arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiations, and Unfair Labor Practice charges in front of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC).

In addition to his practice, Avila is active in the community, serving on the boards of Grand Rapids Ballet, Wedgwood Christian Services, Grand Rapids Symphony and serving as chair of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the Human Resources Committee of Dwelling Place, the Program Related Investments Committee of Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and the Advisory Committee for the International Transactions Clinic of the University of Michigan Law School. Avila is a member of the Michigan Board of Medicine, appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Avila is recognized as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers, and was named to the Lawyers of Color Hot List in 2014, for excelling in the legal profession. He was recently named to Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty Business Leaders, Class of 2017. It is the third time he has received this recognition.

LGR is designed for current and emerging leaders who have the capacity to make a positive impact in the community. The program brings together a diverse group of professionals from financial services, education, manufacturing, health care, the arts, community organizations, government and other sectors. Participants acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be more effective as leaders in their organizations and the community.

Each LGR class consists of approximately 40 members who meet monthly for a full day session from October to May. Sessions examine a variety of topics including quality of life, public safety, community health and economic prosperity. The sessions include tours and presentations, group projects and discussions with leaders.

Over 1,000 people have participated in the LGR program since it began in 1985. Acceptance into the program is by application. Each class represents a cross section of business, nonprofits, government, professions, ages, cultural perspectives, ethnic backgrounds and geographical areas throughout the Grand Rapids community.

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