Overview
Michelle Crockett is a labor and employment attorney who specializes in defending private and public-sector entities against various employment-related claims. She conducts internal investigations involving harassment, retaliation, discrimination, malfeasance, misappropriation of funds, and DEI-related matters. Additionally, Michelle provides traditional labor services to her clients, which includes assistance with grievances, arbitration hearings and collective bargaining. When assisting K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, she provides guidance and support with board governance, special education issues, due process hearings, and student discipline. Michelle also conducts DEI audits and engages in DEI strategic planning, implementation of desired DEI goals/initiatives in accordance with applicable laws, executive orders, and administrative guidance.
Her experience in government contracting within the employment context further rounds out Michelle’s portfolio of expertise and allows her to fully service the needs of many different organizations within the labor and employment arena.
Michelle was named as one of the Best Lawyers in America, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; Crain's Notable Black Business Leader, 2024; and CORP Magazine Diversity Business Leader, 2024. She serves as Vice Chair of the Troy Chamber’s Board of Directors, and Secretary of the Wolverine Bar Foundation. Michelle was also appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to the State DEI Commission in 2022, a role she maintains today.
Services
Practice Areas
Experience
Prior Experience
- Miller Canfield, Principal, Chief Diversity Officer & Deputy Executive Officer
- Education Achievement Authority, General Counsel
Credentials
Education
Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Recognition
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, 2022-2026
- DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers, 2022 and 2026
- 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 and 2025; 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
News & Insights
News
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