Robert A. Boonin
Member
![](https://www.dykema.com/a/web/o5PJ4j4eYtK3GufaHBHP6a/3sZbVm/boonin-bio_102811.jpg)
Management-side labor relations and employment law has been Rob Boonin’s calling throughout his professional career. A chief negotiator who added employer litigation to his toolbox to become one of the foremost lawyers in his field, he helps private- and public-sector clients avoid and resolve workplace disputes.
A skilled labor and employment attorney and highly educated labor management scholar, Rob advises clients across the United States, including closely held companies, publicly traded corporations, local units of government, K-12 school districts, charter schools, community colleges, and state universities.
These clients depend on him to navigate the maze of laws that govern their employer-employee relationships and represent them in court and administrative law claims, as well as union organizing, grievance arbitrations, contract negotiations, labor strikes, and unfair labor practice claims.
“ My goal is to be valued by my clients as both an attorney and counselor, terms that are not redundant. As their attorney, I work towards achieving favorable outcomes in any legal dispute they may confront; as their counselor, I creatively partner with them to boost their bottom lines and otherwise meet their goals. ”
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- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1985, cum laude
- Michigan State University School of Labor and Industrial Relations, MLIR, 1980
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, B.S., 1976
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Bar Admissions
- Michigan
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Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
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Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in Labor & Employment by Chambers USA, 2020-2024
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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Education Law, Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2012-2024
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Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® for Employment & Labor: Employer; Employment Litigation: Defense, 2006-2023
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Recognized on Michigan Super Lawyers® "Top 100 List," 2017-2018, 2020-2021
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Named "Lawyer of the Year" in Labor and Employment Litigation by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2012 and 2019
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Named a Top Lawyer by dbusiness Magazine for Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2015 and 2018
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Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Employment: Management and Labor: Management Law by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014-2017
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2006-Present; President, 2007-2008
- Recipient of an AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
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College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow, 2008-Present
- American Bar Association, Member Labor and Employment Law Section, Committee Member, Committee on Federal Labor Standards Legislation, 1985-Present; Co-Chair, FLSA Subcommittee, 2016-Present; Chapter Editor of The Fair Labor Standards Act, 2006-Present; Co-Editor in Chief of The Fair Labor Standards Act Midwinter Report, 2016-Present
- Wage and Hour Defense Institute of the Litigation Counsel of America, Co-Founder and Member, 2007-Present; Chair, 2010-2013
- State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Law Section, Member 1985-Present; Council Member 2005-Present, Chair, 2013-2014
- Bloomberg BNA Treatise "The Fair Labor Standards Act," Board of Editors, 2018-Present
- National Association of College and University Attorneys, Member 2005-Present
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Advisory Board on Labor and Employment Law, Member, 2002-Present
- American Employment Law Council, Member, 1999-Present
- Michigan Council of School Attorneys, Member and Co-Founder, 1987-Present; Chair, 1991
- ABA Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee, ABA Labor & Employment Law Section, Employer/Defense Co-Chair, 2020
- Washtenaw County Bar Association, Member; Co-Chair Trial Practice Section 2005-2010; Chair Labor and Employment Law Section 2001-2003
- Labor and Employment Relations Association (formerly IRRA, Detroit Chapter), Member
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Washtenaw Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Member, 2014-Present; Executive Board, 2019-Present; Chair, 2021-Present
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce, Member, Public Policy Committee; Member, 2005-2017; Board of Directors, Member 2008-2017; Executive Board, 2014-2017
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Main Street Area Association, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Member, Board of Directors, 2008-2014
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Ann Arbor YMCA, Board Member 1998-2010; Member, Personnel Committee, 2005-2015; Member, Executive Committee, 2001-2005
- American Red Cross, Washtenaw County Chapter, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Member, Development Committee, 2005-2007
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Washtenaw Literacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Member Board of Directors, 1995-1998
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Labor Relations Consultant, Michigan Association of School Boards
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![](https://www.dykema.com/a/web/kXJ89GR5AF8A6RWEkSWVgo/8YW9vx/mparks-cropped.png)
“Do you use any Independent Contractors? Beware of the New Rules!”
Rob Boonin will serve as a featured speaker at the mParks (Michigan Recreation and Parks Assn)…
![](https://www.dykema.com/a/web/8fhS12CjCJLPfgKr3iULRy/91P99r/linkedin-1200x628-chambers-2024.jpg)
Dykema Earns 16 Practice Area Rankings and 33 Individual Rankings in Chambers USA 2024
Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that it received 33 individual attorney…
![](https://www.dykema.com/a/web/7h393s4Nerg1k5Wb8b91Dp/81vQmE/dol_ghsp10.jpg)
"Overtime Rule: Raise Salaries or Reclassify Employees?"
Rob Boonin was quoted in the SHRM article, "Overtime Rule: Raise Salaries or Reclassify Employees?".