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Maria Fracassa Dwyer

Member
fax +1 313.309.6865

Maria Fracassa Dwyer is a seasoned litigator and trusted advisor to senior leadership, representing employers in complex employment and business disputes. She provides strategic counsel on critical workplace issues, conducts high‑stakes internal investigations, and serves as a certified Title IX Hearing Officer. Maria also advises educational institutions on Title IX compliance and resolution strategies.

Deeply experienced in the food and agriculture sector, Maria represents growers, distributors, and other industry stakeholders. She regularly advises clients on labor and workforce matters—including H‑2A programs and farm labor contractor relationships—and guides them through federal and state agency inspections and audits. Her compliance practice spans Title VII, OSHA, FLSA, PACA, and related regulatory frameworks.

Maria works with employers across diverse industries, both public and private, helping them optimize their workforce through leadership training, policy development, and proactive risk‑management strategies.

Maria serves on the firm’s Executive Committee, is the Member‑in‑Charge of Clark Hill’s Detroit office, is the Co‑Leader of the firm’s Retail, Hospitality, Food & Beverage Team, and is a Co‑Chair of Clark Hill BOLD – Detroit, the firm’s initiative to support and advance women within the firm, the legal profession, and the business community.

A respected educator, Maria is a faculty member of ICLE and a frequent speaker on EEO and employment law topics for organizations, including the State Bar of Michigan. She is a strong advocate for prevention through education and is widely recognized for her dynamic, practical workforce training programs.

Education

J.D., cum laude, Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan
B.S., Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

Recognitions

Selected by Crain’s Detroit Business as a Notable Women in Law (2026)

Listed as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer (2024)

Named a Leading Lawyer in Detroit by Leading Lawyers℠ (2020-2025)

Selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a Leader in Law (2023)

Named among The Best Lawyers in America® for Employment Law-Management (2021-2026); Labor Law – Management (2024-2026); Litigation – Labor and Employment (2024-2026)

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Influential Women of Law (2020)

Selected to the Michigan Super Lawyers list, 2013 – Present

Selected to the Michigan Rising Stars list, 2012

Top Women Attorneys In Michigan, 2013 – Present

DBusiness Top Lawyer, 2017 and 2020

Named a Notable Leader in Labor & Employment Law by Crain’s Detroit Business (2023)

Memberships

American Bar Association

State of Michigan, Labor and Employment and Litigation Sections

United Way Southeastern Michigan, Board of Directors

Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

Served as Member of the Michigan State Bar Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Two Terms

Dearborn Public Schools Education Foundation

Women Celebrating Life Downriver

Michigan Business and Professional Association

Women and Leadership in the Workplace

Michigan Food and Beverage Association

Leadership Detroit Class XXXV

Council Member for the Michigan State Bar Labor and Employment Section

State Bar Licenses

Michigan

Court Admissions

U.S. District Ct., E.D. of Michigan
U.S. District Ct., W.D. of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
Articles
Presentations

Maria defends employers in employment-related claims. Her experience includes:

  • Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and state law harassment, discrimination, whistleblower and retaliation claims
  • Extensive class action litigation
  • Breach of contract, wrongful discharge, defamation, non-compete, and trade secret cases
  • Complex business litigation
  • Trying discharge and contract interpretation arbitrations
  • Drafting high level executive employment and severance agreements and employment contracts
  • Advising and training clients on personnel policies, documentation and supervisory relations

The Clark Hill approach is equally pragmatic and growth-minded, which is why we understand our clients’ toughest business challenges. Our multidisciplinary, global team of advisors focuses on smart legal solutions, delivered simply.

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