Michelle P. Crockett

Michelle Crockett is a labor and employment attorney who specializes in defending Fortune 500 companies and public-sector clients against various employment-related claims. She conducts internal investigations involving harassment, retaliation, discrimination, malfeasance, misappropriation of funds, and DEI-related matters. Additionally, Michelle provides litigation and traditional labor advice to municipalities, non-profits, and school districts, which includes assistance with grievances, arbitration hearings, collective bargaining, board governance, special education issues, due process hearings, and student discipline. Michelle also assists private and public-sector clients with DEI strategic planning, implementation of desired DEI goals/initiatives in accordance with applicable laws, and creates and/or conducts training on all matters related to DEI within the workplace.

Her extensive litigation experience encompasses managing all phases of federal and state court cases, from drafting pleadings and conducting witness interviews to arguing motions and negotiating settlements. She has first-chaired several trials and serves as a AAA arbitrator for employment matters nationwide. Furthermore, she has managed arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and collective bargaining negotiations, offering comprehensive advocacy for both public- and private-sector clients. 

Michelle was named as one of the Best Lawyers in America, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024; Crain's Notable Black Business Leader, 2024; and CORP Magazine Diversity Business Leader, 2024. She was also appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to the State DEI Commission in 2022, a role she maintains today.

Practice Areas

Prior Experience

• Miller Canfield, Principal, Chief Diversity Officer & Deputy Executive Officer
• Education Achievement Authority, General Counsel

Education

Admissions

Court Admissions

Awards

• Fellow, College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
• Burton I. Gordin Award for Civil Rights Courage, Michigan Civil Rights Commission, 2023
• Crain's Detroit Business 
• Notable Leaders in Employment and Labor Law, 2023
• Notable Executives in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, 2021
• Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan, 2017 
• Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law - Management, 2022-present
• DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers, Arbitration & Mediation, 2022
• Geraldine Bledsoe Ford Award, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, 2021
• Respected Advocate Award, Michigan Association for Justice, 2021
• Michigan Lawyers Weekly's Leaders in the Law, Class of 2020
• State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020
• Trailblazer Award, D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, 2019
• Leadership Oakland Leader of Leaders, 2018
• Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence, 2015
• Michigan Super Lawyers, Labor and Employment, 2013; Rising Star, 2008

Professional & Community Involvement

• Troy Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, 2021-present; Secretary, 2024-present
• African American Partners’ Collaborative, Member, 2015-present; Chair, 2025
• Michigan Community Resources, Board Member, 2016-present; Chair, 2019-present
• Leadership Oakland, President, 2016-2017; Board Member, 2010-2016
• Alternatives for Girls, Board Chair, 2014-2018; Board Member, 2012-2019
• Michigan Council of School Attorneys, President, 2012
• University of Michigan Law School, 2017-2023: Race in the Law, Social Justice & the Law, Employment Law, and K-12 Education Law

Press Releases

Events

"HR Believe It or Not," ICLE Labor & Employment Law Institute, Plymouth, MI, April 12, 2024

"Affirmative Action and DEI: Where Do We Stand After SFFA v. Harvard," American Bar Association's National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity Law, Boston, March 19, 2024

"How to Legally Recruit and Retain Talent post-SFFA vs. Harvard," Co-Presenter with Lawrence Garcia, Michigan Chamber of Commerce MiBiz360: Talent & HR Summit, March 6, 2024

"Ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity: The Upcoming Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decisions and the Workplace," Panelist, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, June 16, 2023

"Microaggressions in the Workplace," Panelist, State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section, March 9, 2023

"Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," Moderator, State Bar of Michigan Government Law Section and Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys summer joint educational conference, June 24, 2022

"Impartiality, Implicit Assumptions, Biases and Arbitral Justice," Panelist, State Bar of Michigan Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Annual Conference, Oct. 9, 2021

"Leadership Through Diversity - Understanding the Do's and Don'ts," Troy Chamber of Commerce 2021 Diversity Summit, August 12, 2021

"Tapping Hidden Talent Pools to Fill Your Workforce Needs," Panelist, Michigan Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Series, June 15, 2021

"The Way Forward: A Plan for Boosting Diversity and Inclusion in Law Firms," Michigan Lawyers Weekly webinar, Oct. 20, 2020