Overview

Michael A. Chichester represents employers in labor and employment relations and employment litigation defense of all types, including:

  • Employment discrimination
  • Harassment
  • Retaliation
  • Disability discrimination
  • Wrongful termination

Appearing in state and federal courts, he most frequently works with retailers, utilities, healthcare providers, transportation companies, and professional corporations and has particular experience defending clients in claims involving:

  • Title VII
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act
  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act
  • The Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act
  • The Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act
  • The Michigan Whistleblower's Protection Act
  • The Michigan Wages and Fringe Benefits Act
  • The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act

Michael has a deep interest on the impact of advanced technology on the workforce and is co-chair of Littler’s Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Automation practice group. 

Prior to joining Littler Mendelson, Michael worked as an associate at a mid-size Detroit law firm, where his practice primarily consisted of representing employees in labor and employment matters. In law school, he was managing editor of the University of Detroit Mercy Law Review.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association

Member

Federal Bar Association

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America©

2024

Named, Notable Leader in Employment and Labor Law

Crain's Detroit Business

2023

Recipient, Honorable Ralph M. Freeman Law School Scholarship

News, Analysis & Press

Exploring the legality of workplace surveillance's 'gray area'

Human Resources Director

September 5, 2023

The Littler Annual Employer Survey 2023

Littler Report

May 10, 2023

Proposed AI Policy in EU Could Change Hiring Landscape

#evolve magazine

November 11, 2021

COVID Is Accelerating the Gig Economy

Today's General Counsel

April 28, 2021

What Lawyers Want Everyone to Know About AI Liability

Information Week

February 22, 2021

Michigan OSHA Adopts COVID-19 Emergency Rule

SHRM Online

October 22, 2020

The Twenty-First Amendment Accommodates the Dormant Commerce Clause: Did the United States Supreme Court Awaken a Sleeping Giant with Its Decision on Granholm v. Heald?

84 U, Det. Mercy L. Rev. 161

Case Digest: People v. Tierny

84 U. Det. Mercy L. Rev. 161

Speaking Engagements

2023 Ohio Regional Employer Conference

Cleveland, OH

October 5, 2023

2023 Littler AI Summit

Washington, DC

September 21, 2023

The Workforce Crisis: Strategies for Cultivating Talent

Automate

June 6, 2022

Post-Pandemic Remote Work: A Productivity Boon or a Collaboration Destroyer? What Has the Evidence Shown? And Can We Ever Go Back?

Littler Executive Employer Conference

May 6, 2022

The Ever Changing Face of Work: What to Expect Going Forward

ALM General Counsel Conference Midwest, Chicago, IL

October 12, 2021

OSHA Compliance Made Easier

Client Webinar

December 9, 2020

A COVID-19 Storm is Brewing: How Employers Respond Mandates When Whistleblowers Threaten

August 18, 2020

Return to Work in Michigan – Managing the Next Phase of the Pandemic

June 1, 2020

Make Way for Michigan's Paid Medical Leave Act

March 19, 2019

Artificial Intelligence: Taking the "Human" Out of Human Resources

Greater Ann Arbor SHRM

March 12, 2019

Wage and Hour Headaches: What Every Employer Needs to Know

Detroit, MI

September 21, 2016

Education

  • J.D., University of Detroit School of Law, 2007summa cum laude
  • B.A., Aquinas Collegecum laude

Bar Admission

Michigan

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio