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Partner — Grand Rapids

616/336-6895

[email protected]


Practice Areas

Labor and Employment

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

Labor and Employment Attorney

Luis focuses his practice on labor and employment 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 in both state and federal court 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).

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025

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, Top Lawyers, Labor and Employment Law, since 2019

Lawyers of Color, Hot List, 2014

Michigan Super Lawyers®Rising Star, 2016 – 2020

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 – Council Member

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

Mary Free Bed, Board

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Board


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

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