Foley & Lardner LLP: Felicia O’Connor

In the dynamic and often complex world of business, legal challenges can arise at any moment. For companies, especially those deeply rooted in Michigan’s robust manufacturing and automotive industries, navigating labor and employment laws, litigation, and regulatory compliance is not just important – it's absolutely critical for sustainable growth and avoiding costly disputes. This article introduces you to Felicia O’Connor, a distinguished attorney at Foley & Lardner LLP's Detroit office. Her expertise is invaluable for local businesses and organizations seeking comprehensive legal solutions in labor and employment matters. We’ll explore her professional background, the services she provides, and why she stands out as a key legal resource for Michigan’s business community.

Felicia O’Connor is a highly skilled and client-oriented attorney within the Labor & Employment Practice at Foley & Lardner LLP. She is also a key member of the firm's Automotive Industry Team, reflecting her deep understanding of one of Michigan's most vital sectors. With extensive experience, Felicia frequently represents and counsels clients on a wide array of labor and employment issues. Her approach is characterized by a client-oriented perspective, which she honed prior to joining Foley & Lardner, having managed a team of website developers spanning three countries for a large technology and information company. This background provides her with unique insight into the operational realities faced by businesses.

Felicia is a skillful litigator within her practice, adept at handling complex disputes. Her expertise extends beyond reactive litigation to proactive counseling, helping businesses anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate. She is well-versed in both traditional labor relations and the evolving landscape of employment law. Her ability to work closely with automotive suppliers, manufacturers, and clients across various other industries underscores her versatility and capacity to adapt to diverse business needs. For Michigan businesses, this means having a dedicated legal partner who understands their specific challenges and can provide tailored, effective legal strategies.

Foley & Lardner LLP, including Felicia O’Connor’s practice, is strategically located in the heart of downtown Detroit at 500 Woodward Ave STE 2700, Detroit, MI 48226, USA. This address places the firm within the iconic One Detroit Center, a prominent and recognizable landmark in the city’s central business district. The location offers superior accessibility for businesses and individuals throughout the greater Michigan area.

Downtown Detroit boasts excellent transportation infrastructure, making the office easily reachable. For those commuting by car, numerous parking garages are available in the immediate vicinity, providing convenient options for visitors. The area is also well-served by public transportation, including Detroit's QLine streetcar system, with stops within a short walking distance of the office. Additionally, various SMART bus routes connect downtown Detroit to surrounding suburbs and communities across Michigan. This central and well-connected location ensures that Felicia O’Connor can effectively serve a broad base of clients, from established corporations to emerging businesses, facilitating easy access to expert legal counsel right in the heart of Michigan’s economic hub. The prestigious nature of the building also reflects the professional and high-caliber services offered by Foley & Lardner LLP.

Felicia O’Connor provides comprehensive legal services primarily focused on labor and employment law, and litigation, with a strong emphasis on counseling and representation for businesses.

• Wage and Hour Compliance: Advising and representing clients on adherence to federal and state wage and hour laws, including issues related to minimum wage, overtime, classification of employees (exempt vs. non-exempt), and record-keeping requirements.

• Leave Issues (ADA & FMLA): Providing guidance on the complex interplay between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), helping employers manage employee leave requests, reasonable accommodations, and return-to-work protocols to ensure compliance and avoid potential litigation.

• Workplace Harassment Issues: Counseling clients on preventing, investigating, and responding to claims of sexual harassment and other forms of workplace harassment, including developing policies and conducting training to foster a respectful work environment.

• Traditional Labor Relations: Assisting clients with issues related to union organizing, collective bargaining, responding to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) charges, and handling labor arbitrations. This includes advising on union avoidance strategies and management rights in a unionized environment.

• Workforce Adjustments/Reductions-in-Force: Providing legal counsel on the strategic and compliant implementation of layoffs, furloughs, and other workforce reductions, ensuring adherence to federal and state laws such as the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.

• Employment Litigation: Representing clients in court and before administrative agencies in disputes arising from employment relationships, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and breach of employment contracts. She is a skillful litigator in this area.

• Automotive Industry Team Representation: Leveraging her expertise as a member of Foley's Automotive Industry Team, Felicia provides specialized legal counsel to automotive suppliers and manufacturers on industry-specific labor and employment challenges, understanding the unique operational and contractual aspects of this sector.

Felicia O’Connor’s practice at Foley & Lardner LLP is marked by several distinguishing features and highlights that are particularly beneficial for businesses in Michigan.

• Specialized Expertise: Her singular focus on labor and employment law, combined with her role on the Automotive Industry Team, provides clients with highly specialized and relevant legal advice, especially for Michigan's foundational industries like manufacturing and automotive. She navigates the complex web of state and federal employment regulations with precision.

• Client-Oriented Perspective: Felicia's prior experience managing a technology team gives her a unique, client-focused perspective. She understands the operational realities and business objectives that drive her clients' decisions, allowing her to provide practical, actionable legal solutions rather than just theoretical advice. This ensures that legal strategies align with business goals.

• Proactive and Reactive Legal Support: She excels at both counseling clients on preventive measures to avoid disputes (e.g., wage and hour compliance, harassment prevention) and skillfully litigating cases when disputes arise. This dual capability offers comprehensive protection for businesses.

• Extensive Litigation Experience: As a "skillful litigator," Felicia has a proven ability to represent clients effectively in court and before administrative bodies, which is crucial for businesses facing complex employment-related lawsuits or regulatory charges.

• Author and Presenter: Felicia is recognized as a thought leader in her field, having authored articles and presented on critical labor and employment topics such as the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace and workplace harassment. This demonstrates her deep knowledge and commitment to staying at the forefront of legal developments.

• Admitted to Practice in Key Jurisdictions: She is admitted to practice in Michigan, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. This broad admission ensures her capability to represent Michigan clients in various federal courts relevant to their business operations.

As part of a large, distinguished international law firm like Foley & Lardner LLP, specific "promotions" or "special offers" in the traditional consumer sense are not typically advertised. However, the inherent value proposition of engaging a firm of this caliber, and an attorney of Felicia O’Connor's expertise, lies in the high-quality, strategic legal counsel provided.

Businesses seeking representation from Foley & Lardner LLP benefit from:

• Comprehensive Resources: Access to the vast resources and interdisciplinary expertise of a global law firm, ensuring that even the most complex business legal challenges can be addressed.

• Strategic Risk Mitigation: The proactive counseling services offered by Felicia O'Connor are designed to help businesses avoid costly litigation and regulatory penalties, ultimately saving them significant resources in the long run. This preventive approach is a form of value that far outweighs any short-term "discount."

• Industry-Specific Insight: For Michigan's automotive and manufacturing sectors, her specialized industry knowledge translates into highly relevant and effective legal strategies, directly addressing their unique challenges.

Prospective clients are encouraged to contact the firm directly to discuss their specific legal needs and inquire about engagement terms. While there might not be a "buy one get one free" offer, the firm's reputation and the caliber of its attorneys, like Felicia O’Connor, represent an investment in top-tier legal protection and strategic business advantage for companies operating in Michigan.

To connect with Felicia O’Connor and Foley & Lardner LLP in Detroit, Michigan, you can use the following contact information:

Address: 500 Woodward Ave STE 2700, Detroit, MI 48226, USA

Phone: (313) 234-7172

Mobile Phone: +1 313-234-7172

When reaching out, businesses are encouraged to provide a brief overview of their legal needs to allow the firm to best direct their inquiry to the most appropriate legal professional. The professional and responsive team at Foley & Lardner LLP will assist in scheduling consultations and providing further information on their services.

For businesses operating in Michigan, particularly those in the vital automotive and manufacturing sectors, Felicia O’Connor of Foley & Lardner LLP is an exceptionally suitable legal partner. Her deep specialization in labor and employment law, combined with her active involvement in the firm's Automotive Industry Team, means she understands the unique legal landscape and operational challenges faced by Michigan companies. This local insight, coupled with the robust resources of an international law firm like Foley & Lardner, provides an unparalleled advantage.

Her client-oriented approach, honed through practical business experience, ensures that legal advice is not just technically sound but also strategically aligned with a company's real-world objectives. Whether it's proactive compliance measures, navigating complex leave issues, or skillfully litigating employment disputes, Felicia O’Connor offers comprehensive and effective solutions. For Michigan employers seeking to manage their workforce effectively, mitigate legal risks, and ensure regulatory adherence, her expertise is invaluable. The convenient and prominent location in downtown Detroit further enhances her accessibility for businesses throughout the state. By choosing Felicia O’Connor, Michigan businesses are investing in top-tier legal protection and strategic counsel, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the evolving legal and business landscape in their home state.