Over the course of 35 years, Anne Widlak has developed a specialty in management side employment law as both a litigator and a counselor. She provides preventive counseling to employers of all sizes, advising in-house counsel, human resources professionals and other managers about a wide variety of employment issues in the workplace. She also has drafted numerous employee handbooks, provided training on multiple employment topics, and performed independent investigations of workplace complaints of harassment and discrimination.
Ms. Widlak has also forcefully and successfully defended cases in state and federal courts involving a comprehensive array of claims, including workplace harassment; discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, national origin and other protected categories; retaliation; violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act; wrongful discharge; intentional interference with an at will employment relationship and others. She has extensive experience representing employers in the defense of discrimination charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
• Elected a Fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Election as a Fellow is the highest recognition by one’s colleagues of sustained outstanding performance in the profession, exemplifying integrity, dedication and excellence.
• Achieved an “AV” Preeminent (5.0 out of 5) peer rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ranking for ethical standards and legal ability.
• Named one of DBusiness Magazine's Top Lawyers for 2016.
• Included by Martindale-Hubbell in its 2018 Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™.
• Selected as one of Michigan’s Super Lawyers for 2018. Super Lawyers is a research-driven, peer-influenced rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
• Selected by Martindale-Hubbell to be included in its 2015 Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™.
• Chosen by Hour Detroit magazine as a Top Woman Attorney for 2014.
• Named as a 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Labor and Employment by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell.
• One of 25 Michigan "Leaders in the Law," Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2012.
• Named a Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation.
• Has served as a Panel Chairperson/Member for 20 years at the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, the adjudicative arm of the Michigan Supreme Court for the discharge of its exclusive constitutional responsibility to supervise and discipline Michigan attorneys.
