June 30, 2008 — Bodman LLP has expanded its Labor and Employment Law Practice with the addition of attorneys from The Fishman Group, a nationally recognized management side labor and employment law firm based in Bloomfield Hills since 1979.
Steven J. Fishman, founder of The Fishman Group, has become a partner in Bodman and chair of the firm’s 20-member Labor and Employment Law Practice Group.
The new attorneys from The Fishman Group add resources and depth to Bodman’s labor and employment practice, already ranked as one of Michigan’s best by the prestigious journal Chambers USA.
“Having access to HR legal resources with answers that work is critical to our clients’ success,” said Bodman Chairman Larry R. Shulman. “Steve Fishman and The Fishman Group’s highly regarded attorneys enhance our ability to solve our clients’ labor and employment problems quickly and creatively.”
The attorneys from The Fishman Group have decades of experience representing public and private employers in a wide variety of industries throughout the country. Known for their innovative, problem-solving approach, they have guided management to achieve workplace goals and objectives. Whether in union avoidance, dealing with unions in bargaining and contract administration, or solving employment issues such as discrimination, disability, wage/hour compliance, and non-compete enforcement, The Fishman Group has earned a strong reputation for finding answers that work for employers.
“The workplace is a reflection of the changing economy and society around it. These issues eventually visit the workplace and become the employer’s problems,” Fishman said. “Our role is to assist employers in solving these problems, guiding management to achieve their goals and objectives, building a more positive workplace.”
Steven Fishman has more than 40 years of experience in labor law, employment litigation, construction labor law, and employee relations. A graduate of Northwestern University Law School, he served as a trial attorney for the National Labor Relations Board before entering private practice. Fishman is a frequent author and popular speaker for management and trade groups, chambers of commerce, human resource associations, and private employers. He serves the Michigan Chamber of Commerce as its special labor and employment counsel, and has been designated by various trade and business associations as their labor and employment attorney.
The other Fishman Group attorneys joining Bodman are:
Donald J. Scharg, partner. Scharg has more than 30 years of experience in labor law, labor negotiations and arbitrations, employment discrimination, and employee relations, defending fair housing claims, and representing employers before courts and agencies. An experienced speaker and author, Scharg is a Board member of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and serves the Michigan Chamber on the Health and Human Resources Committee. He has conducted numerous seminars for management on wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, workplace misconduct, and other issues. Scharg is a cum laude graduate of Wayne State University Law School.
Maureen Rouse-Ayoub, partner. Rouse-Ayoub is a seasoned litigator with over 17 years of experience representing employers in state and federal courts, as well as administrative forums, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. She advises employers confronted with union organizing campaigns and handles contract negotiations and arbitrations. She is a popular speaker for local chambers of commerce and management associations and frequently conducts supervisor training. Rouse-Ayoub has extensive experience in issues unique to healthcare providers, including professional staff privileging and peer review questions. She is a graduate of the Detroit College of Law.
Aaron D. Graves, associate. Graves represents and advises employers on a spectrum of labor, employment, and employee relations issues. A graduate of Northwestern University Law School, Graves has contributed chapter supplements to many treatises on labor and employment law, including volumes dealing with labor arbitration, labor issues in the construction industry, and protection of employees involved in mergers and acquisitions.
All will be initially based in Bodman’s Detroit office.