Education

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.), Wayne State University School of Law
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Consumer Affairs in Business with honors, Michigan State University

State Bar Admissions

  • Michigan

Licensed to Practice In

· Michigan

· Sixth Circuit

· United States District Court of Michigan (Eastern and Western Divisions)

· Supreme Court of the United States of America

Linda G. Burwell

Photo of Linda G. Burwell
Partner
200 Talon Centre Drive
Suite 200
Detroit, Michigan 48207

T: (313) 567-5921
F: (313) 567-5928

Practice Overview

An attorney since 1985, Ms. Burwell specializes in the labor and employment arena as a litigator, mediator, arbitrator and consultant and represents management in all aspects of labor and employment law. Her areas of expertise include but are not limited to wrongful discharge, discrimination, non-competition, harassment, interference with contract, equal pay, retaliation, whistleblowers, wage and hours, unfair labor practices, breach of contract, libel and slander, and invasion of privacy. Ms. Burwell represents private and public employers in employment matters, including complex multi-plaintiff litigation. She regularly counsels management on collective bargaining agreements, pre-employment, discipline, and pre-termination and post-termination matters. A nationally recognized speaker and author on employment law and risk management issues, Ms. Burwell often serves as the legal expert on panels involving employment laws.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Advisory Board Member, Michigan Business Professional Association for “Metropolitan Detroit’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For” (2006-2010)
  • Supreme Court of the United States of America, Bar Member
  • Member, State Bar of Michigan: Section Labor and Employment Law, Section Alternate Dispute Resolution Sector and Litigation Section
  • Member, Oakland County Bar Association; Employment Law Committee
  • Member, Detroit Bar Association
  • Member, Defense Research Institute; Employment Law Committee
  • Member, Michigan Defense Trial Association
  • Member, National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF), Annual Meeting Committee; Programs Committee
  • Member, American Arbitration Association Employment Law Advisory Panel
  • Past President, Human Resources Association of Greater Detroit, Executive Committee, Advisory Panel Member
  • Member, Society of Human Resources Management, State Council 

Community Involvement

Ms. Burwell has served in a leadership capacity on a variety of nonprofit boards and works in a number of volunteer capacities for various professional organizations. Her experience includes:

  • Member, American Arbitration Association Employment Law Advisory Panel
  • Volunteer Mediator for the Attorney Grievance Commission
  • Member, Employment Law Legal Team for Community Legal Resources, a non-profit organization that provides nonprofit organizations across Michigan with free legal services.
  • Training arbitrators across the United States in a National training program
  • Member, Michigan Business Professional Association’s (MBPA) advisory panel for the 101 Best Companies award, helping organizers select winning companies and identifying HR trends; also serve as legal expert for the MBPA’s Biz Impact Institute
  • Former Chair, Operation ABLE
  • Past President, Human Resources Association of Greater Detroit, Executive Committee, Advisory Panel Member
  • Member, Society of Human Resources Management, State Council

Noted Presentations and Publications

Ms. Burwell is a nationally recognized speaker and author on employment law and risk management issues. She is a contributing author and speaker for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) Labor and Employment Law Institute. Noted presentations and publications include:

  • “Responding to a More Active EEOC,” Executive Counsel
  • “Workplace Bullying: Bully for you or Bully for me?,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly
  • “Demand Letters from Attorney’s-Practical Pointers to Help You Investigate, Evaluate, and Negotiate,” Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
  • “Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Headwear: Managing Risk When Employees Bring Religion to Work,” PLUS Journal
  • “Investigator Beware: Even Employees with Tangential Roles in Internal Investigations May be Deemed to ‘Oppose’ Discrimination Under Title VII,” Employment Law 360
  • “Employee Handbook Hazards: Spotting Mistakes & Omissions Employees Could Use Against You,” Alexander Hamilton Institute Webinar
  • “Electronic Discovery ID Theft,” SHRM State Conference
  • “Employment Practices Insurance from A to Z,” The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 33rd Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute
  • “Electronic Disability Costs in Employment Litigation,” ACI's 13th Annual Conference
  • “Document Management in the Electronic Age, The National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms, November 2007
  • “Managing Religion in the Workplace,” The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, ICLE’s 31st Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute

Honors and Distinctions

  • AV Rated
  • Best Lawyers in America, Labor and Employment, 2011
  • Chambers USA, Employment and Labor 2010
  • One of 25 Michigan “Leaders in the Law” –Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2010
  • Michigan Super Lawyers – 2008 to present
  • Detroit’s Top Lawyers-DBusiness Magazine, 2009
  • Women in the Workplace Leadership Award –Michigan Business Professional Association, 2010

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