Megan P Norris

Practice Areas

Employment and Labor

Employment Litigation

Governmental and Public Entities

Human Resources Counseling and Training

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Class and Collective Actions

Employment Litigation

Career

Megan Norris has been representing employers for over three decades. An accomplished litigator who has been elected by her national peers to both the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers, Megan has expertise litigating all matters of employment law, including statutory claims under the ADA, FMLA and Title VII, as well as tort claims such as defamation, tortious interference with contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Megan also advises employers on matters ranging from hiring to termination. In addition, Megan advises clients on non-employment issues relating to both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Megan has handled matters at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Department of Labor, Office of Civil Rights, State of Michigan Wage and Hour Division, Michigan Circuit Courts, Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court, U.S. District Court and 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, and has successfully defended against attempts to appeal to the United States Supreme Court.

Megan served as Miller Canfield's Chief Executive Officer from 2021 to 2024. In this role, she oversaw the firm's 19 offices in seven countries. Prior to becoming CEO, Megan served as the leader of the firm's Employment and Labor Group, overseeing our large and active team of dedicated employment and labor attorneys and staff. She also served for eight years on the firm's Board of Managing Directors, the last six years as chair.

Career highlights include: Miller Canfield CEO, 2021-present. Joined firm 1986; Principal, 1995; Leader, Labor/Employment Group, 2003-2019; Managing Director, 2011-2019; Inducted to College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and American College of Trial Lawyers; State Bar of Michigan Labor and Employment Law Council, Distinguished Service Award; Crain's Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan, 2017, 2021; United States District Court Local Rules Advisory Committee, 2013-present; Chair, 2016-2018; Vice-Chair 2015-2016

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association (past President), City of Detroit Board of Police Commissioners (past Chair), Detroit Barristers' Association (past President), Institute of Continuing Legal Education Labor Advisory Board, National Employment Law Institute Advisory Board, Labor and Employment Law Council (former).

Personal

University of Michigan Law School; BA, Wesleyan University. Wesleyan University, Trustee Emeritus; Wesleyan Fund Co-Chair, 2014-2017; Chair of the Alumni Association, 2012-2014; Board of Trustees, 2001-2004, 2005-2011.

Experience

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Obtained summary judgment on case brought by medical student who had been dismissed from the medical school but claimed that he had ADHD and dyslexia and therefore could not complete required curriculum in the usual manner.

On behalf of a major public hospital system, counseled the employer through the accommodation process and then successfully vacated a temporary restraining order, defeated a motion for a preliminary injunction, and obtained dismissal of the lawsuit where a nurse sought an accommodation that would require that she avoid all exposure to radiation.

Counseled hospital regarding duty to accommodate CRNAs with restrictions on exposure to radiation, reviewing ways to measure exposure and limit exposure through protective clothing, determination of essential functions of the job.

Breach of Contract

In Branham v. Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 689 F.3d 558 (6th Cir. 2012), obtained successful result in first private university tenure case, establishing that tenure does not grant any right to continued employment or a removal procedure beyond that provided by contract.

Successfully defended summary judgment on appeal to the Michigan Court of Appeals in case brought by a school administrator who claimed that she was terminated in violation of a just cause employment contract.

Worked with private academic institution to establish procedure for tenure hearings, then successfully defended claims of breach of contract, both at the trial level and on appeal, regarding both the tenured professor’s dismissal and the tenure hearing process.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Obtained no cause jury verdict in case of breach of fiduciary duty brought by neurosurgeon against a medical practice when she was removed from the practice after being terminated from her university medical school position for fraudulent use of the corporate credit card.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Prevailed on summary judgment and in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Dobrowski v. Jay Dee Contractors, Inc., 571 F.3d 551 (6th Cir. 2009), which held that plaintiff was not protected by the FMLA, even though he had been given FMLA forms, where the employer had fewer than 50 employees and plaintiff needed to take medical leave regardless of whether it was covered by the FMLA.

Successfully defended hospital against FMLA claim brought by a nurse who wanted to work a reduced schedule for a variety of personal and medical reasons.

Higher Education

Obtained summary judgment on case brought by medical student who had been dismissed from the medical school but claimed that he had ADHD and dyslexia and therefore could not complete required curriculum in the usual manner.

In Branham v. Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 689 F.3d 558 (6th Cir. 2012), obtained successful result in first private university tenure case, establishing that tenure does not grant any right to continued employment or a removal procedure beyond that provided by contract.

Obtained summary judgment on claims of sexual harassment, disparate treatment sex discrimination, violation of due process, and violation of the equal protection clause in case brought by student against a university.

Overturned a $250,000 jury verdict and obtained dismissal on a claim of sexual harassment against a professor where student acknowledged that the alleged harasser did not harass her after she complained.

National Origin Discrimination

Defeated discrimination and retaliation claims of two physicians who claimed that they were passed over for promotion and terminated because they were of Indian descent, noting that a hospital administrator had referred to the facilities as “third world.”

Successfully defended summary judgment on appeal to Michigan Court of Appeals in case brought by professor who claimed that the university denied him laboratory space and teaching assignments because of his national origin.

Successfully defended food producer against four race and national origin discrimination charges filed with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights alleging that black and non-Polish employees were given harder, less desirable work assignments and disciplined more harshly than white Polish employees.

Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act Litigation

Defended multiple clients against numerous Open Meetings Act and FOIA lawsuits brought by notorious plaintiff, developing defense strategy that kept legal fees low and obtained immediate dismissal of eight different lawsuits, despite plaintiff’s counsel’s tactics designed to drive up legal fees.

Race Discrimination

On behalf of a major utility company, obtained summary judgment, affirmed on appeal, in multi-plaintiff case alleging race discrimination and retaliation.

Successfully defended food producer against four race and national origin discrimination charges filed with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights alleging that black and non-Polish employees were given harder, less desirable work assignments and disciplined more harshly than white Polish employees.

Sex Discrimination

Obtained no cause jury verdict on behalf of a manufacturer when plaintiff, the only female in the plant, alleged that the poor performance for which she was terminated was caused by male employees sabotaging her work.

Obtained summary judgment on claims of sexual harassment, disparate treatment sex discrimination, violation of due process, and violation of the equal protection clause in case brought by student against a university.

Sexual Harassment

Obtained a no cause jury verdict on behalf of a company and its president against claims of sexual harassment and retaliation arising after president appeared at plaintiff's house, told her that he wanted to have an affair, argued with her when she gave her reasons for declining, and kissed her as he left.

Overturned a $250,000 jury verdict and obtained dismissal on a claim of sexual harassment against a professor where student acknowledged that the alleged harasser did not harass her after she complained.

City of Detroit Bankruptcy Restructuring

Prior to the City of Detroit's Chapter 9 bankruptcy, and during and after the bankruptcy, the firm served as local counsel on numerous matters related to labor, financing and the restructuring of various city departments.

Education

Awards