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Robert A. Boonin

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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.

Before becoming a lawyer, Rob spent several years as the chief negotiator representing dozens of school districts across Michigan, an experience and perspective his clients deeply value. Unlike common commercial contracts, Rob appreciates that collective bargaining agreements can have far-reaching effects on an employer’s day-to-day operations.

From this perspective, he partners closely with clients to help them comply with applicable employment laws, bargain with their unions, confront challenges before government agencies, or mount defenses in court proceedings.

He has successfully resolved labor issues and claims involving unpaid wages and overtime, discrimination, FMLA violations, sexual harassment, and whistleblower retaliation before various state and federal agencies and courts in more than 30 jurisdictions.

Highly regarded by his peers and considered a go-to authority on labor and employment law topics, Rob has held leadership positions with professional groups like the American Bar Association’s Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee and the State Bar of Michigan’s Labor and Employment Law Section.

He also is a fellow of the prestigious College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, a founding fellow and past president of the Litigation Counsel of America, a founder and past-chair of the Wage and Hour Defense Institute, and a founder of the Michigan Council of School Attorneys. Rob frequently writes and speaks on employment law matters, including serving as a principal editor of the most highly regarded legal treatise on wage and hour law and a chapter editor for another respected treatise on equal employment opportunity law.

“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.”
    • 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

  • Bar Admissions

    • Michigan

  • 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

    • Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in Labor & Employment by Chambers USA, 2020-2024

    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Education Law, Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2012-2024

    • Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® for Employment & Labor: Employer; Employment Litigation: Defense, 2006-2023

    • Recognized on Michigan Super Lawyers® "Top 100 List," 2017-2018, 2020-2021

    • Named "Lawyer of the Year" in Labor and Employment Litigation by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2012 and 2019

    • Named a Top Lawyer by dbusiness Magazine for Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and  Employment, 2015 and 2018

    • 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

    • 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

    • Washtenaw Community College Foundation Board of Directors, Member, 2014-Present; Executive Board, 2019-Present; Chair, 2021-Present

    • Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce, Member, Public Policy Committee; Member, 2005-2017; Board of Directors, Member 2008-2017; Executive Board, 2014-2017

    • Main Street Area Association, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Member, Board of Directors, 2008-2014

    • 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

    • Washtenaw Literacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Member Board of Directors, 1995-1998

    • Labor Relations Consultant, Michigan Association of School Boards

Contact

Ann Arbor734-214-7650

Latest News and Insights

Press Mentions11.1.24

“What To Listen For In Oral Args On FLSA Evidence Standards”

Rob Boonin was quoted in the Law360 Employment Authority article, “What To Listen For In Oral Args…

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Press Mentions8.30.24

“Businesses fear worst from Michigan’s new sick time law. Will lawmakers act?”

Rob Boonin was quoted in the Bride Michigan article, “Businesses fear worst from Michigan’s new sick…

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Press Releases8.15.24

216 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 216 of its attorneys, in multiple practice…

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