Michigan Employment Lawyers

Employment law are those laws passed in Michigan that apply to employers, employees and independent contractors. These laws apply to every aspect of workplace endeavors, such as hiring practices, wage disputes, and firing of employees. Michigan's employment laws set forth specific mandates that need to be understood by both employers and employees.

At-Will and Contract Employment

Most job relationships in Michigan are on the basis of "at will" employment, but in other cases there may be an employment contract with a set term. "At will" employment implies that either the employee or the employer may end the relationship at any point, so long as the reason for the termination is not illegal. Employment laws of Michigan will be of primary importance in order to determine the clauses and agreements when an employment contract is used.

The Law of Discrimination in Michigan

The laws of Michigan in general prohibit discrimination. These laws apply to all stages of employment, ranging from the hiring procedure to the termination process. The law in Michigan defines certain categories, or classes, against which it is illegal to discriminate. These classes may include race, gender, age, national origin, disability and religion. Lawyers who specialize in workplace discrimination in Michigan can help clarify when behavior may be considered employment discrimination.

Interesting Facts About Michigan

Michigan has a population of over 9 million people and is the 8th most populated state in the U.S. The name "Michigan" means "large lake". In the year 1837, Michigan became the 26th state to officially join the Union. The Michigan State Capitol is located in the city of Lansing in Ingham County.

Michigan's court system is comprised of three levels, each serving a different purpose. At the lowest level are the District Courts, Municipal Courts, and Probate Courts. Appeals and higher matters are heard at the intermediate level through the Circuit Court system. Michigan also operates a Court of Claims at the intermediate level, which hears administrative agency appeals involving claims against the state. Michigan's highest court is the Michigan Supreme Court.

Aside from hearing advanced legal claims, the Supreme Court also operates the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, dedicated to the preservation of Michigan's rich legal history. A famous Michigan court case is Workman v. Detroit Board of Education (1869), one of the first cases dealing with segregation in education. Another famous Michigan case is the Dr. Kevorkian trial involving assisted death and euthanasia. In 1846, Michigan was the first U.S. state to abolish the death penalty.

Lawyers in Michigan file most of their claims at the District or Municipal Court level. Michigan lawyers are experienced in a broad range of legal topics, allowing them to address the unique legal needs of the community. Michigan continues to promote its rich tradition of legal excellence and service.