Joseph J. Vogan

Labor and Employment Attorney

Joe focuses on employment law and litigation and has experience in all areas of employment law including FLSA, ADA, wrongful discharge, the Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act, Title VII, ADEA, Retiree Health Insurance, FMLA, the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act and others.

Experience

LaFave v. Huntington (USDC WD MI, 2017).  Sex harassment and retaliation.  Summary judgment for employer. 

Gartner v. Dean Transportation (USDC WD MI, 2017).  Handicap discrimination.  Summary judgment for employer and costs. 

Bunting v. Kellogg (USDC Dist. CT, 2016).  Race discrimination.  Summary judgment for employer. 

Marshall v. Super Service, LLC (USDC ED KY, 2016).  Gender discrimination and retaliation.  Summary judgment for employer.

Garrett v. Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C. (USDC WD Mich, 2014).  Race discrimination.  Summary judgment for employer.  Summary judgment affirmed by Court of Appeals (2015).

Maben v. Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C. (USDC WD Mich, 2015)  Race discrimination.  Summary judgment for employer.  Summary judgment affirmed by Court of Appeals (2015).

Owsiany v. MPI Research, Inc. (USDC WD Mich, 2015).  Pregnancy discrimination.  Summary judgment and sanctions for employer.

Robert W. Cummings v. Dean Transportation, Inc. (USDC ED Mich, 2014).  ADA discrimination.  Summary judgment and costs for employer. 

Recchia v Kellogg Co. (USDC  DNJ, 2013).  Age discrimination, disability discrimination and retaliation.  Summary judgment and costs for employer.

Belleville v. SAF Holland (USDC WD Mich, 2012).  Fraud.  Summary judgment for employer.

Cordell v Lakeland Regional Health System (Berrien Co Cir Ct, 2012).  Age discrimination.  Summary judgment and costs for employer.

Glander v NGK Spark Plugs, (USDC ED Mich, 2012).  FMLA retaliation.  Summary judgment for employer.

Fear v Lakeland Regional Health System (USDC WD Mich, 2012).  ADA discrimination.  Judgment for Employer. 

Vice v. Graphic Packaging (USDC  WD Mich, 2011).  Retaliation.  Summary judgment and costs for employer.

Thomas v Bradford White, Inc. (USDC  WD Mich, 2011).  Harassment and retaliation.  Summary judgment for employer.

White v S2 Yachts, Inc. (Ottawa Co Cir Ct, 2011).  Unpaid sales commissions.  Summary judgment for employer.  Cost and fees awarded to Defendant in the amount of $38,866.90.

Gulow v West Shore Community Hospital (Manistee County Circuit Court, 2011).  Wrongful discharged/breach of contract.  Summary judgment for employer.

Dean v TLC (Osceola County Circuit Ct., 2010).  Whistleblowers Protection Act.  Summary Judgment for Employer.

Phifer v MC Sports, W.D. Mich (2010).  Race discrimination and harassment. (Title VII & §1981).  Summary judgment for employer.

Pacheco et al. v Boar’s Head Provisions, W.D. Mich. (2009-2010) Represented employer in suit under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to recover for time spent donning and doffing sanitary and protective gear. Plaintiffs sought a class/collective action of several hundred individuals. 

Renfro, et al. v. American Electric Power Co., W.D. Mich. (2001-2008) (and related cases) Represented employer in collective action under FLSA alleging certain employees were improperly classified as exempt.

Jimenez, et al. v. Lakeside Pic-N-Pac, W.D. Mich. (2006-2008)  Represented employer is suit under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the FLSA. Plaintiffs sought class/collective action of several hundred individuals. 

Riggs, et al. v. Mark IV Industries, Inc., et al. W.D.N.C. (2005-2006)  Represented employer in class action under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) involving retiree health benefits.

Galaviz-Zamora et al. v. Brady Farms, Inc., et al. W.D. Mich. (2004 -2006)  Represented employer in highly publicized suit under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the FLSA. Plaintiffs sought class/collective action of over 900 individuals.

Rojas Bautista, et al. v. Twin Lakes Farms, Inc., et al.  W.D. Mich. (2004-2006)  Represented employer in suit under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the FLSA. Plaintiffs sought class/collective action of several hundred individuals.

Bartlett, et al. v. Light Metals Corp., W.D. Mich. (2005-2006)  Represented employer in class action under ERISA involving retiree health benefits. 

LaForest, et al. v. Honeywell, Inc. v. Mark IV Industries, Inc., W.D.N.Y. (2002- 2006)  Represented employer/third-party defendant in class action involving retiree health benefits under ERISA and LMRA.

Baldwin, et al. v. Mark IV Industries, Inc., et al., W.D.N.Y. (2002-2006)  Represented defendant in class action involving retiree health benefits under ERISA and LMRA. Plaintiffs sought class action of approximately 75 retirees. 

Trull, et al. v. Mark IV Industries, Inc., et al., W.D.N.C. (2001-2006)  Represented employer in class action involving retiree health benefits under ERISA and LMRA.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America^® since 2007

Grand Rapids Magazine, Top Lawyers, Litigation – Labor Employment Benefits, 2019, since 2023

Leading Lawyers: Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management

Martindale-Hubbell^® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers^®, Employment Litigation Defense

Professional Affiliations

Federal Bar Association, Employment and Labor Relations Law Committee

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Michigan Labor Letter, Editorial Board member

State Bar of Michigan, Labor Law Section