Varnum attorney Luis Avila will be a panelist at the American Bar Association’s 13th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, set for Nov. 4-6 in New Orleans. The panel topic is “Living the High Life: How Legalizing Marijuana Impacts the Modern Workplace.”
Since Proposal One legalizing recreational marijuana use in Michigan was passed last November, Avila has given numerous presentations to employers and other business groups on workplace issues related to marijuana.
Among the dilemmas employers face are:
- Testing for marijuana use while on the job
- Use of CBD products which may also contain THC
- Zero tolerance policies and why they may need to be relaxed
- Potential ADA or Civil Rights Act violations if marijuana use is prohibited
Avila focuses his practice on labor, employment and immigration issues. He counsels public and private sector employers on a number of workplace matters, including effective employee handbooks and policies, disciplinary and dispute resolution procedures, discrimination, disability accommodation, wage-hour matters, family medical leave, and harassment and litigation prevention.
In addition to his law practice, Avila is very active within the community. He serves on the boards of the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Grand Rapids Symphony and the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he recently completed a term as chair.
Avila has received numerous accolades including being recognized as Outstanding Emerging Leader Alum by Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and the Diversity Business Leaders Award from Corp! Magazine. He is recognized by several attorney ranking organizations, including The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyers of Color Hotlist and Super Lawyers. He has received Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 recognition five times.