Overview
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
Leadership
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, 2020 and 2021
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Emerging Leader Alum, 2019
Grand Rapids Business Journal©, Forty Under 40, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Grand Rapids Magazine's Top Lawyers, Labor and Employment Law, 2019 and 2020
Lawyers of Color, Hot List, 2014
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star since 2016
Wedgwood Christian Services, Diversity Champion Award, 2014
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association: Committee on the Development of the Law under the NLRB; Committee on Practice & Procedure under the NLRB
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan
State Bar of Michigan: Labor and Employment Section
Community Involvement
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 Symphony, board, chair
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Board
News & Publications
News
Presentations
"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
Publications
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 2010
Dean’s Public Service Fellow
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.A., with honors, Business, 2005
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
- All Michigan state courts
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Languages
- Spanish