Karen L. Piper

Of Counsel,Troy

T 248-743-6025F 248-743-6002kpiper@bodmanlaw.comEmail 248-743-6025

Practices & Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude
Wayne State University, B.A., with distinction

Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

U.S. Ct. of Appeals, 6th Cir.
U.S. District Ct., E.D. Mich.
U.S. District Ct., W.D. Mich.
U.S. Supreme Ct.

Overview
News

Overview

Ms. Piper specializes in workplace law, education law, and litigation.

She represents and counsels employers on contemporary employment law issues, such as workplace bullying; social media issues; background checks; and employee privacy; as well as traditional employment law issues such as discrimination, sexual and other forms of illegal harassment, and retaliation issues; accommodating employees with disabilities; FMLA issues; wage and hour issues; reductions-in-force, discipline and discharge issues; and affirmative action plans. Ms. Piper has conducted a number of employment investigations and training seminars for a variety of clients.

Ms. Piper also has successfully defended numerous discrimination and wrongful discharge cases at the administrative, trial, and appellate levels. She has particular expertise representing employers, parishes, schools and social service agencies, including the Archdiocese of Detroit, Catholic Social Services, Hillsdale College, and Holy Cross Children’s Services, in litigation.

Ms. Piper is a frequent speaker to industry and professional groups, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Society of Human Resource Management, Financial Institutions Compliance Cooperative, National Catholic Education Association, Archdiocese of Detroit, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit-Alliance for Jewish Education, and SHRM. She served as an adjunct professor at Madonna University where she taught a graduate course on legal issues in education for the Catholic School Leadership Program.

Ms. Piper is a former secretary of Detroit SHRM. She is listed in Chambers USA 2018 under Labor & Employment and in Michigan Super Lawyers 2018 under Employment & Labor. She is listed as a 2018 “Top Lawyer” for Labor and Employment by DBusiness Magazine. She received the Distinguished Brief Award from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1998. She is AV Preeminent® Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

Chambers USA 2018, Labor & Employment
DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers,” 2020, Labor and Employment
Michigan Super Lawyers 2012-2018, Employment & Labor
Distinguished Brief Award, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 1998
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence; Endorsed for High Ethical Standing

Academic Appointments

Madonna University, Adjunct Professor, 1999-2014

Ann Arbor

Detroit

Grand Rapids

Troy