Janis L. Adams is an experienced employment and labor law attorney who represents employers throughout northern Michigan in all aspects of employment and labor law. Janis works personally with her clients to identify problems and protect their business interests by providing solid solutions with no surprises.
As a legal counselor, Janis regularly provides specialized advice and counsel to private and public employers on the myriad of issues impacting the workplace. In this role, she advises employers on a wide range of employment and labor law issues, including termination, hiring and discipline, FMLA and other types of leave, disability accommodation and engagement in the interactive process, conducting internal investigations, drafting employment agreements, executive compensation, preparation of severance and release agreements, development of industry-tailored non-competition, nonsolicitation, and non-disclosure of confidential information agreements, and development of policies and employee handbooks. Janis also regularly represents employers in union negotiations, unfair labor practice charges, and union grievances. She also assists employers in the development and implementation of management practices to avoid employee-related liability, regularly conducts sexual harassment and other trainings in the workplace, and frequently presents to professional organizations on employment and labor law topics. Janis’ extensive experience in employment and labor law allows her to readily identify issues for her clients so that appropriate actions can be efficiently and effectively implemented to protect their business interests. She has encountered enough legal matters and tried enough cases to know that thinking ahead is the key to success. Utilizing her experience and passion, Janis guides her clients through their problems, offering personal and solid solutions.
Janis also represents her clients in the courtroom as a trusted and respected attorney. Her extensive background in litigation includes representation of clients in state and federal courts on discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims brought pursuant to Title VII, the ADEA, ADA, FMLA, and ELCRA, whistleblower protection claims, wrongful discharge, breach of employment agreement, breach of non-compete and non-disclosure of confidential information agreement claims, wage and hour actions pursuant to the FLSA and Michigan Wage and Hour, DOL complaints, and EEOC and MDCR charges. Janis also regularly represents public and private employers in unfair labor practice charges under MERC, and in labor arbitrations. Litigation can be a time of heightened stress and worry for employers. Janis’ clients can rely on her to listen to their worries, be respectful of their concerns, and passionately protect their interests. Her clients can depend on her to be by their side.
Examples of Janis’ recent successful litigation cases for employers include:
– Granting of a preliminary injunction enforcing multi-year non-compete agreement;
– Dismissal of a breach of employment agreement claim for 1.9 million at summary disposition;
– Dismissal of a Whistleblower Protection Act claim at summary disposition;
– Unanimous jury verdict in a sex discrimination case; and
– Unanimous jury verdict in a breach of non-competition agreement/misappropriation of trade secrets case
Janis is admitted to practice in Michigan, Colorado (inactive status), the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Michigan, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the Traverse Area Human Resources Association. Janis is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Habitat for Humanity – Grand Traverse Region.
In her spare time, Janis enjoys mountain biking, road biking, running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and daily hikes with her dogs, Hazel and Boone.
Education
University of Denver College of Law, J.D., with Honors
Central Michigan University, B.S., Biology and Chemistry
