Patrice Arend

Patrice is a partner in the Employment and Labor Relations practice group. She is a seasoned advocate, having represented public and private businesses of all sizes in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. As a senior counselor, she provides comprehensive counsel and strategic planning in all matters pertaining to employment and labor law issues.

• Frederick v. Allor Manufacturing Co., 2022 WL 598746, No.20-CV-12790 (E.D. Mich. Feb. 28, 2022), summary judgment in favor of employer on a claim of disability discrimination following termination of employee on attendance grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Stephenson v. TCC Wireless, LLC et al., 2019 WL 2341388, No. 17-CV-7258 (N.D. Ill. June 3, 2019), summary judgment in favor of employer on claims of racial discrimination, constructive discharge, and violating the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Triple A. Intern, Inc. v. Democratic Republic of Congo, 721 F.3d 415, (6th Cir. 2013), summary judgment affirmed dismissing claim against the DRC on sovereign immunity grounds
• Perry v. Jaguar of Troy, 353 F.3d 510 (2003), summary judgment affirmed in favor of employer on a claim of FMLA interference

Publications

• “Navigating new work provisions for pregnant, nursing employees,” Detroit Legal News (January 25, 2024).
• “Should business owners be concerned about FTC’s proposed ban on non-compete clauses?” featured in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Legal News (March 22, 2023).
• “The vax of the case,” featured in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Legal News (January 3, 2022).
• “Employment Issues Abound Even in the Wake of Economic Turnaround,” Authors: Patrice Arend, Nicole Folely and James Parks, Aspatore Special Report (February 2015).
• “Survey of Michigan Law June 1, 2001—May 31, 2002: Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Wayne State University Law Review, Vol. 49, No. 2 (2003).
• “Workplace Discrimination in the Aftermath of 9/11,” Detroiter Online (2003).
• “Monitoring E-mail in the Workplace: Employee Privacy and Employer Liability,” Authors: Patrice Arend and Kathleen Holper, Illinois Bar Journal, Vol. 87 (1999).
• “Balancing Alcoholics’ Rights and Employer Liability under Anti-Discrimination Laws,” Authors: Patrice Arend and Kathleen Holper, Illinois Bar Journal, Vol. 86 (1998).
• “Defamation in an Age of Political Correctness: Should a False Public Statement that a Person is Gay be Defamatory,” Northern Illinois University Law Review, Vol. 18 (1997).

Presentations

• Regular Guest Speaker on Employment Law issues at the Goldman Sachs: 10,000 Small Business Initiative in Detroit (2018 to present)
• Panelist, “Legal Insights for Employers,” Webinar (June 2022)
• Featured Speaker, “Legal Aspects of Returning High-Risk Employees Back to Work in Michigan,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly (December 2020)
• Featured Speaker, “Hot Topics Employers Should Know to Protect Themselves,” to Elite Success Partners (May 2019)
• Featured Speaker, “Independent Contractor Classification Issues,” The Firm’s Women’s Caucus Group Open House (March 2016)
• Featured Speaker, “Surviving A Charge of Discrimination,” in Employment Law Series with the Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) (December 2007)
• Guest Speaker, “Employers Best Practices,” Michigan Association of Staffing Services Annual Staffing Conference (April 2006)
• Featured Speaker, “Avoiding Hidden Landmines in Your Workplace Investigations,” Michigan Council on Education in Management (July 2003)
• Featured Speaker, “Update on Privacy and Emerging Issues in Electronic Workplace Litigation: Implementing Policies and Practices to Safeguard Your Organization,” Michigan Council on Education in Management (June 2003)
• Featured Speaker, “Handling High-Tech Headaches in the E-Workplace,” Michigan Council on Education in Management (January 2003)
• Featured Speaker, “Best Practices for Controlling Absenteeism,” Michigan Council on Education in Management (September 2002)
• Featured Speaker, “Balancing Employee Privacy Rights with Business Necessity,” Michigan Council on Education in Management (April 2002)
• Featured Speaker, “Training Your Managers to Comply With Policies and the Law: Documentation, Communication, Consistency, and Follow-Up,” Michigan Council on Education in Management (January 2002)