Janis is an experienced employment law attorney in Traverse City who represents employers in all aspects of employment litigation and counseling.

Janis has defended employers throughout Michigan in state and federal courts on discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims brought pursuant to Title VII, the ADEA, ADA, FMLA, and ELCRA, as well as wrongful discharge, misappropriation of trade secrets, non-competition and non-solicitation actions, labor grievances, unfair labor practices, and arbitrations.

Janis also serves as a legal counselor to her clients.  In this role, she advises employers on a wide array of employment and labor law issues including termination, hiring and discipline, development of policies and employee handbooks, conducting internal investigations, drafting and negotiating severance, non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements, unfair labor practices and union grievances.  She also assists employers in the development and implementation of management practices to avoid employee-related liability and conducts on-site trainings on EEO and sexual harassment policies in the workplace.

Janis is a frequent presenter to professional organizations on labor and employment law topics.  In her spare time, Janis enjoys hiking, running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking and cooking.

Education

• Central Michigan University (B.S., Biology)
• University of Denver College of Law (J.D. with honors, 1994)

Admitted to Practice

• State Bar of Colorado, 1995
• State Bar of Michigan, 1999
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1999
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2005
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2003

Presentations

• “Mock Deposition Workshop,” Michigan Society for Human Resource Management State Conference 2011
• “Update on the ADA: Three Years After Enforcement of the ADAAA,” Cadillac Area Human Resources Association, 2011
• “Employment Background Checks: Criminal Convictions and Credit History,” Traverse Area Human Resources Association, 2011
• “Employment Implications of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act,” Human Resources Association of Greater Detroit, October 2010
• “The EEOC is Calling – Are You Ready: Recent Trends in EEOC Filings,” Michigan Society of Human Resource Management, October 2008
• “Litigation Case Management for the Michigan Paralegal,” Institute for Paralegal Education, March 2004
• “Michigan State and Federal Leave Law Update, FMLA and ADA,” Council on Education and Management, September 2002

Examples of Janis' recent successful litigation cases include the following:

• Obtained a unanimous jury verdict in a one-week trial in a sex discrimination case.
• Obtained a unanimous jury verdict in a one-week trial on a case involving claims of misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of a non-competition agreement.
• Obtained a unanimous jury verdict in a two-week trial in an age discrimination case.
• Obtained a unanimous jury verdict in a one-week trial in a case involving claims of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.
• Successfully represented clients in numerous employment-related cases on summary judgment.
• Defended employers of union and non-union employees in arbitrations.

External Publications

• "Caregiver Responsibilities Discrimination - What Employers Need to Know," Human Resources Association of Greater Detroit Newsletter, February 2011
• "Non-Compete Agreements: A Generic ‘Form' Agreement

Smith Haughey Publications

News for Janis L. Adams

3/15/2011
Labor and Employment Law Attorney Joins Smith Haughey

Events for Janis L. Adams

9/28/2011
Seminar #2 - Making the Grade: Basic Legal Know-how for Business Owners - Traverse City

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of Michigan
• Federal Bar Association
• Society for Human Resource Management
• Traverse Area Human Resources Association

Community Affiliations

• Leadership Grand Traverse, 2011
• Association of Youth Empowerment (Board of Directors, 2007-2008)
• GM Street Law Program, 2007