Varnum partner Luis Avila has been named to the Council for the Labor and Employment Section of the State Bar of Michigan. The Council serves as the governing body of the section, providing general supervision and direction of the affairs of the 2000+ member body.
With more than ten years of experience in labor and employment matters, Avila counsels public and private sector employers on a wide variety 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.
Avila additionally has a wide range of experience in traditional labor matters, including grievances, arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiations, union drives and matters in front of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC).
The Labor and Employment Section of the SBM is responsible for studying labor and employment law and promoting its fair and just administration; studying and reporting on proposed and necessary legislation; and promoting the legal education of members as well as the general public. As the governing body for the section, the Council takes the lead in matters impacting labor and employment law in Michigan, including filing Amicus briefs in employment law matters before the Michigan Supreme Court.
In addition to the State Bar of Michigan, Avila is a member of the American Bar Association, the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan. He serves on the boards of Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority, Mary Free Bed, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Symphony.