Nicole M. Paterson

Nicole M. Paterson is a Senior Attorney with the Labor & Employment and Education & Municipal Practice Groups and an ATIXA certified Title IX investigator. Nicole represents a diverse group of clients operating in both a union and non-union environment, including school districts, long-term care facilities, hospitals, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and corporations. 

Prior to practicing law, Nicole worked for more than six years in Human Resources. Her experience and perspective gained while working in Human Resources gives Nicole an insider’s knowledge of the day-to-day issues that employers and school districts face. Nicole is an effective and trusted counselor to employers on their day-to-day employment and labor issues, including FMLA, ADA, Title VII, employee disciplines and termination, grievances, wage/hour laws, unemployment insurance, and investigations. Nicole has significant experience drafting employment policies and employee handbooks to help employers maintain lawful policies and practices that meet their unique needs. Nicole has successfully defended employers before the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor, and state and federal courts. Nicole also represents employers in discharge and contract interpretation arbitrations.

In addition to her advisory services, Nicole provides employer/employee training to guide employers on complex areas of the law, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, hiring, disciplining, terminations, discrimination, workplace harassment, and investigations. Nicole is a frequent speaker on employment and labor topics such as FMLA, ADA, FLSA, discrimination, workplace harassment, investigations, social media, privacy rights, and unemployment insurance.

Nicole currently serves as the Co-Chair of Clark Hill BOLD - Grand Rapids, the firm's strategy to promote women within the firm, the legal profession, and the business community.