Tony Comden - Lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI

Tony Comden is a Member of Miller Johnson and has been practicing law since 1994. His practice is focused on representing employers in employment and labor matters including employment litigation. Much of his recent experience has been with clients in the health care industry.

Labor and Employment Law Experience

Mr. Comden regularly assists clients on a variety of human resource matters including wage and hour, discipline and discharge, employee handbooks, non-compete agreements, personnel policies, and workforce reductions. He strives to provide practical legal advice that is consistent with the clients culture, values, and business goals.

Mr. Comden is noted for expertise at counseling employers on statutory compliance with Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), among other statutes.

He regularly represents clients in administrative matters before the Michigan Unemployment Agency, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office for Civil Rights, and other state and federal agencies.

Employment Litigation Experience

Mr. Comden represents management in employment litigation matters across the country, many of which involve discrimination, harassment or statutory compliance. He has also represented several employers in retiree health insurance class action cases across the county.He is admitted to practice in all Michigan State Courts as well as the United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan, the Western and Eastern Districts of Arkansas, the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas, and the United States Courts of Appeal for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Tenth Circuits.

Some representative cases include:

— Obtained summary dismissal on ADA, FMLA, and discrimination claims for large Michigan-based auto manufacturer

— Counseled large multi-specialty health care provider on separation of shareholder physician and thereafter obtained summary dismissal of physicians Whistleblower Protection Act and tort claims in court

— Obtained jury verdict for a national transportation company in a sex discrimination claim brought by a former female salesperson

— Received opinion and award for large Michigan-based auto manufacturer in former employees FMLA and ADA arbitration trial

Professional Affiliations, Activities, and Honors

Mr. Comden is a member of the Labor and Employment Section for both the State Bar of Michigan and the Grand Rapids Bar Association.He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America? for Employment Law? Management, Labor Law? Management, and Litigation? Labor Employment. Mr. Comden is also named as a Michigan Super Lawyer in Employee Litigation: Defense.

Mr. Comden has presented training sessions to a number of organizations, including the Michigan Manufacturers Association, the Employers Association (Grand Rapids), the Employers Association of West Michigan (Muskegon), the Traverse Area Human Resources Association, the Zeeland Chamber of Commerce, and the Michigan Housing Directors Association, among others.

Education

Mr. Comden received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1994 and his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1991.