Trisha M. Benson

Trisha M. Benson is a distinguished litigator specializing in the defense of claims related to employment practices liability, employment law, professional liability (including architect and engineering liability and accountant liability), and commercial litigation.

Ms. Benson has valuable experience representing and counseling employers in the defense of race, religious, national origin, age, sex, and disability discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims.  She has successfully defended claims brought under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as related tort claims.  Ms. Benson works closely with clients to develop sound business and employment practices and policies, including employee manuals and employment application forms.

Ms. Benson represents businesses and professionals in trial and pre-trial strategies and negotiations.  Her experience includes representation and counseling regarding malpractice claims, contract claims, non-competition issues, shareholder disputes, and trade secret issues.

Ms. Benson’s litigation experience includes trial and appellate work in both state and federal court.  As an active member of the legal community, Ms. Benson has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star for two consecutive years.  She is also an Adjunct Professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School where she teaches Advanced Legal Writing.

Ms. Benson graduated summa cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, receiving a variety of awards, including the Distinguished Student Award; the President’s Achievement Award; the Sol Siegel Award in Contracts; and Certificates of Merit in Contracts I & II, Property I, Evidence, Business Organizations, Remedies, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Research and Writing, and Advanced Writing.  The Thomas Cooley Law Review also recognized Ms. Benson with the Outstanding Service Award for her role as Assistant and Managing Editor.  Before attending law school, Ms. Benson graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2001, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

Practice Areas:

• Employment Practices Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Professional Liability Defense
• Appeals
• General Liability

Education:

• Grand Valley State University, B.S. 2001
• Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D. 2005

Admitted to Practice:

• All Michigan state courts
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. 6^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Professional Memberships:

• State Bar of Michigan, Member
• Oakland County Bar Association, Member
• OCBA New Lawyers Committee, Director
• Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Member
• Oak Park Business and Education Alliance, Board Member

Achievements:

• Michigan Super Lawyers "Rising Star" - 2009-2012

Articles:

• Co-Author, Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, Business Law Issue, Feature Article, “Employ Me as a Shareholder: The W-2 of a Section 489 Plaintiff is Now Relevant” (October 2007).

Speaking Engagements: 

• Co-Presenter, “The New FMLA Regulations - Best Practices to Ensure FMLA Compliance,” Labor and Employment Webinar, Detroit, Michigan (January 2009).
• Co-Presenter, “The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 – Important New Changes to the Federal Disability Law That Employers Need to Know,” Labor and Employment Webinar, Detroit, Michigan (November 2008).