Luis E. Avila

Labor and Employment Attorney

Luis focuses his practice on labor, employment and immigration issues. Luis 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). 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.

Luis has represented public and private employers under the various state and federal statutes that govern the employment relationship, including the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), 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), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

For more information, please contact Luis Avila at 616/336-6895 or leavila@varnumlaw.com

Best Lawyers in America^®, 2020

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Emerging Leader Alum, 2019

Grand Rapids Business Journal^©, Forty Under 40, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

Grand Rapids Magazine's Top Lawyers, Labor and Employment Law, 2019

Lawyers of Color, Hot List, 2014

Michigan Super Lawyers^®, Rising Star since 2016

Wedgwood Christian Services, Diversity Champion Award, 2014

American Bar Association: Committee on the Development of the Law under the NLRB; Committee on Practice & Procedure under the NLRB

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Latin American Bar Association

Michigan Board of Medicine, 2014 - present

State Bar of Michigan: Labor and Employment Section; International Law Section; International Human Rights Committee

Downtown Development Authority, board

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders Series, Class of 2012

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Grand Rapids, Class of 2018

Grand Rapids Art Museum, board

Grand Rapids Ballet Company, board

Grand Rapids Symphony, board, chair-elect

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, board

"Living the High Life: How Legalizing Marijuana Impacts the Modern Workplace," ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2019

"Fundamentals of Employment Law," The Employers Association, September 2017

"The Possible Effects of the New Administration and the 115th Congress will have on Indian Country's Sovereign Immunity," 10th Annual Tribal Casino & Development Conference, May 2017

"The Ethics of Diversity in the Practice of Labor Law," American Bar Association Practice & Procedure Mid-Winter Meeting, March 2017

2017 NLRB Update, Society for Human Resources Management, Jackson, Michigan Chapter, February  2017

Hispanic Entrepreneurship, West Michigan University Cooley Law School

Presenter, Varnum's Labor and Employment Annual Seminar, 2015, 2016, 2017

Co-presenter, "NLRB – Important Recent Rulings and Issues to Watch in 2014," Varnum's Labor and Employment Seminar, March 2014

Panelist, "Growing the Next Generation of International Deal Lawyers," University of Michigan Law School, September 2013

Panelist, "Immigration Hot Topics," Cooley Law School, June 2012

Co-presenter, "What's New for Unionized Employers," Varnum's Labor and Employment Seminar, March 2013

Presenter, "So, You Want to be a Lawyer?" Latino Youth Conference at Grand Rapids Community College, March 2012

Presenter, "How Spanish and Faith Can Help Your Career Path," South Christian High School, March 2012

Co-presenter, "Keeping a Healthy Workforce" and "Effective Discipline and Discharge," Varnum's Labor and Employment Seminar, January 2012

Co-presenter, "Immigration Law: The Future for Michigan," Calvin College Un-Learn Series, October 2011