Daniel J. Bretz

Member
Phone: 313-965-8356
Fax: 313-965-8252
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Areas of Practice
Labor & Employment Law
Business Litigation
Defamation & Media

Bar Admissions
Admitted to practice in State of Michigan

Education
J.D., Wayne State University
B.A., University of Michigan

Memberships
State Bar of Michigan
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association

Daniel J. Bretz is a member in Clark Hill's Labor & Employment Practice Group. Mr. Bretz was previously a founding partner of Brady Hathaway Brady and Bretz P.C., a leading boutique labor and employment firm, which merged with Clark Hill in 2007. Mr Bretz practices in the areas of employment law and litigation, traditional labor work, and business litigation. He represents a number of regional and national clients, with a particular focus on employers in the health care, transportation, construction and hospitality industries. He has served as first chair in trials involving discrimination, harassment, contract and labor issues. “Chambers USA” describes Mr. Bretz as “a leading light among litigators” in the state of Michigan.

Mr. Bretz has over 25 years of experience in:

• Litigating Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, WARN, Michigan Civil Rights Act, harassment, discrimination, whistleblower and retaliation claims
• Litigating breach of contract, wrongful discharge, defamation, tortious interference, non-compete, trade secret and other employment and business related claims
• Negotiating collective bargaining agreements
• Appearing in NLRB proceedings and trials
• Trying labor arbitrations involving discharge and contract interpretation grievances
• Serving as an independent Arbitrator and Mediator in traditional labor and employment cases 
• Drafting high level executive agreements and employment contracts
• Advising and training clients on administering union contracts, personnel actions, handbooks, policies, documentation and supervisory relations
• Consulting with management on union organizing, corporate campaigns, and collective bargaining issues

Mr. Bretz is ranked “# 1” in the highest tier of Michigan labor and employment lawyers by “Chambers USA: Leading Lawyers for Business.” He has been listed in “Best Lawyers in America” since 1998.  He was recently named in the Detroit News and New York Times “Michigan Super Lawyers" as one of the "Top 100" lawyers in the state.  He is a recipient of the “Barrister of the Year Award” from the  Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association.

Mr. Bretz is a member of the American Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section, the ABA Committee on Employee Rights and Responsibilities, and the ABA’s EEO Committee. In 2000, he was elected to serve on the Council of the Michigan State Bar Section on Labor and Employment Law. He is currently an Officer on the governing Council. Mr. Bretz is also a member of the American Employment Lawyers Council.

Mr. Bretz is a contributing author to Employment Law In Michigan, 2nd Edition, (ICLE, 2005). He has authored several articles and papers on collective bargaining, union organizing, the Family Medical Leave Act, sexual harassment, and litigating employment discrimination claims.  Mr. Bretz is a frequent speaker on labor and employment issues before various groups including the ABA, the Michigan State Bar, and the Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education.