Varnum is pleased to announce that Christopher Kazanowski has joined Varnum’s Labor and Employment Team as a partner. He is based in the firm’s Novi office.
Kazanowski is seasoned labor and employment attorney who joins Varnum directly from Rocket Central LLC, where he served as the second highest-ranking labor and employment team attorney supporting the Rock Family of Companies. Among his accomplishments while at Rocket Central, Kazanowski served as lead internal labor counsel related to the company’s $1.2 billion acquisition of the fintech app Truebill, Inc. in 2021.
“In the wake of unprecedented activity impacting employers, we are thrilled to welcome Chris to Varnum’s management-focused Labor and Employment team,” said Ron DeWaard, Chair of Varnum.
In addition to bringing his extensive in-house experience, Kazanowski has served as outside employment counsel for businesses, litigated state and federal cases across the country and performed due diligence and transaction agreement review for mergers and acquisitions while a partner in private practice at a Detroit-based law firm. At Varnum, he will continue to provide advice and counsel to management regarding compliance with the many state and federal statutes that govern the workplace and defend claims alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and FHA.
“Chris brings an exceptional perspective having served as a senior in-house attorney and in private practice,” said Maureen Rouse-Ayoub, Varnum’s Labor and Employment practice team leader, “Our clients will benefit from his unique experience.”
Kazanowski graduated from Emory University School of Law and is currently a Master of Laws Candidate at Wayne State University Law School. He received his BA degree with distinction from the University of Michigan. He is admitted to practice in Michigan and Georgia.
Kazanowski is the 19th attorney to join Varnum within the past 12 months, in furtherance of the firm’s growth across Michigan and Florida.