Delaporte Lynch is a specialized law firm dedicated to providing expert legal services in public labor and employment law, as well as general school law. With a focus on serving public sector and school clients, the firm stands out for its individualized representation and deep understanding of the unique legal challenges faced by educational institutions and government entities.
The firm is committed to serving a select group of clients, adapting its legal and practical counsel to align with each client’s individual culture. Founded by a veteran attorney with over a decade of experience in Michigan school law, Delaporte Lynch brings significant expertise in contract negotiations, employee misconduct issues, and litigation before state and federal courts. The firm’s practical approach is informed by its founder’s background in military service, union management, and education, ensuring well-rounded and effective advocacy.
Services Offered
- Administrative Matters (Michigan Administrative Hearing System, Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Teachers’ Tenure Commission, Unemployment Insurance Agency, Department of Labor, Wages and Hours Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights)
- State & Federal Court Matters (appeals from administrative bodies, emergency actions, general civil litigation, appellate work)
- Contract Negotiations (grievances, arbitrations, mediations, fact-finding, impasse resolution procedures, unfair labor practices, strike abrogation, contract reviews)
- Employee Matters (employee discipline, misconduct inquiries, employee separations, layoffs, recall, hiring, employment contracts, evaluations)
- Statutory Compliance (Public Employment Relations Act, Revised School Code, Teachers’ Tenure Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act)
- Independent Contracting (contract reviews, maintenance, enforcement, and related issues for non-instructional support services)
- Employment Materials (review and guidance for employee handbooks, job postings, job duties, policies, and procedures)
- Student Matters (student discipline, searches and seizures, First Amendment concerns; excludes special education or §504 matters)
- General School Law (Michigan Revised School Code, Open Meetings Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act)
The firm primarily serves Michigan-based public sector and school district clients, drawing on extensive litigation experience and a record of handling cases of first impression in both state and federal venues. The founder’s testimony before the legislature in support of amendments to the Teachers’ Tenure Act further underscores the firm’s dedication and influence in the field of education law.
