Patricia Nemeth, Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer PC Photo

Patricia Nemeth

Of Counsel
  • 200 Talon Centre Drive
    Suite 200
    Detroit, Michigan 48207

Profile

Patricia Nemeth is the founder of Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer. An accomplished and highly respected attorney, Patricia’s contributions to Michigan’s legal profession are legend and her many awards and accolades reflect the impact she has had on the legal community, notably in labor and employment. A versatile attorney known to advocate aggressively but civilly for her clients, Patricia has found career success as a litigator, investigator, consultant, and certified mediator. Now serving the firm of counsel, her practice focuses on counseling, investigations and mediation - seeking a peaceful resolution to all types of civil litigation matters, including employment - and serving as an employment arbitrator and commercial arbitrator. Patricia’s experience and wisdom make her a valued collaborator within the firm, strategizing with attorneys on employment discrimination and traditional labor issues.

Patricia’s areas of expertise include religious, ethnic, and gender discrimination, sex, race, and ethnic harassment, wrongful discharge, union organizing activities and multi-party lawsuits. Industries served include healthcare, nursing homes, retail, manufacturing, gaming, insurance, and government entities.  

Honors & Awards

  • Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers®, 2022
  • Class of 2021, Hall of Fame, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
  • Excellence in Defense Award, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel 2020
  • Elected a Fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Election as a Fellow is the highest recognition by one’s colleagues of sustained outstanding performance in the profession, exemplifying integrity, dedication, and excellence.
  • Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, a rating system compiled by peers in the legal community, as “AV”, the highest rating for legal ability and upholding ethics in the legal profession
  • Best Lawyers® in America – Employment Law-Management | Labor Law-Management | Litigation-Labor and Employment, 2010-2024
  • Distinguished Law Alumni Award - Wayne State University Law School, 2016
  • Leading Lawyers, ADR Law: Employment | Employment Law: Management | Labor Law: Management, 2014 to 2023
  • "Top 25 Women Business Leaders in Michigan," Super Lawyers 2013, 2015-2018
  • Michigan Super Lawyers – 2006 to present, including recognition as one of the top 50 Women Super Lawyers in the State of Michigan
  • “Leaders in the Law” - Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly, 2009
  • Detroit’s Top Lawyers – DBusiness Magazine, 2009-2023
  • Women in the Workplace Leadership Award – Michigan Business Professionals Association, 2010
  • One of the 100 most influential women in Southeast Michigan – Inforum, 2008
  • Labor and Employment Law Delegate to China, 2006
  • Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

Memberships & Affiliations

Arbitration/Mediation/Investigation

  • American Arbitration Association; Certified Arbitrator (Employment)
  • American Arbitration Association; Certified Arbitrator (Commercial)
  • American Arbitration Association; Court Approved Mediator
  • International Mediation Institute; Certified Mediator
  • State of Michigan, Court Approved Mediator
  • Association of Workplace Investigators; Certified Investigator
  • Title IX Investigator, Certified (ATIXA)

Civic

  • Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, Board member, 2014-2017, Vice Chair/Secretary 2017-2020
  • Former Vista Maria Vice Chair/Executive Board member; Vista Maria’s Marketing and Fund Development Committee (with Vista Maria for 12 years). Ms. Nemeth was presented with the Distinguished Volunteer Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2005 for her work with Vista Maria. In 2011, Ms. Nemeth received an award from Vista Maria for Outstanding Board Leadership.
  • Graduate, 2004-2005 Leadership Detroit XXVI Class.

Professional

  • American Bar Association, ADR International Committee
  • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section; ADR Section; Women in Dispute Resolution Section; International Law Section
  • State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Law Section, ADR Section and International Law Section
  • Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • American Arbitration Association Task Force for Employment Arbitrations
  • Member, Trial Law Institute
  • Member, Diversity Law Institute

News & Events

News

Noted Presentations and Publications

Ms. Nemeth has written and co-authored numerous articles, as well as the Annual Survey of Michigan Employment and Labor Law, Wayne Law Review, for Wayne State University School of Law.

Publications and presentations of particular note include:

  • “The Art and Value of Persuasion in ADR: Trials and Tribulations for Litigators, Mediators, and Judiciary,” Panelist, MDTC Winter Meeting, – November 2021
  • “Usage Guidelines of Marijuana within the Airport Workforce,” Airport Council International, 2020 Risk Management Conference - January 2020
  • “Leaders and Innovators: Women Entrepreneurs and Leadership,” Panelist, WWJ Newsradio - April 2019
  • “2019 Labor and Employment Law Update,” Nemeth Law’s Raising the Bar – January 2019
  • “Sexual Harassment Policies and Investigations,” ICLE – November 2018
  • “Managing the Arbitration Process with Pro Se Parties,” American Arbitration Association – October 2018
  • “Resolving Tough Cases through Mediation,” State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Law Section Council – June 2018
  • “The Sticky Question of Salary History,” Crain’s Detroit Business, Blog – May 2018
  • “Is the Question of Salary History…History?” Detroit Legal News – April 2018
  • “Constituents Weigh In On Conyers Sexual Harassment Ethics Probe,” Chanel 7 News – November 2017
  • “A Side Bar with Patricia Nemeth,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly – November 2017
  • “Grit, the Secret to Advancement: Stories of Successful Women Lawyers,” American Bar Association – October 2017
  • “Uber's Sexual Harassment House-Cleaning a Reminder of Need for Visible Policies, Disciplinary Measures,” Crain’s Detroit Business, Blog – June 2017
  • “From Flattery to Fear-Looking at Sexual Harassment in Everyday Life,” Panelist, WLAM, Wayne Law Annual Meeting – May 2017
  • “Intensive HR Labor and Employment Law Training Program,” Nemeth Law Seminar - August 2016
  • “Inside the New Overtime Rules: Practical Guidelines for Employers,” Nemeth Law Webinar - June 2016
  • “The On-Demand Workforce: Spotlight on Employee Misclassification,” Co-author, Michigan Defense Quarterly – May 2016
  • “When A Vague Claim of ‘Hostile Work Environment’ is A Discrimination Complaint,” Co-author, Michigan Defense Quarterly – November 2015
  • “Joint Employer Status, Franchisors and Franchisee – Paying the Cost to be the Boss,” panelist and presenter, Bernard Gottfried Memorial Law Symposium – October 2015
  • “Accommodating Pregnancy in the Long Term Care Environment,” HCAM/MCAL Annual Convention – September 2015
  • “Opinion: Tragedy in Virginia Opens New Chapter for Employers,” Crain's Detroit Business, Blog - August 2015
  • “ ‘Digital Native’ Recruiting Term Can Raise Concerns of Age Discrimination,” Detroit Legal News - July 2015
  • “Starting Your Own Law Firm: Advice From Women Who've Done It,” Michigan LELS - June 2015
  • “Legal Trends: Employer Criminal Background Check Policies,” Co-author, Michigan Defense Quarterly – April 2015
  • “Five Qs: Patricia Nemeth on Employment Law Changes,” DBusiness Daily News - January 2015
  • “Managing Pregnancy in the Workplace,” Nemeth Law Raising the Bar - October 2014"
  • “Legal Implications of Employer-Sponsored Wellness Programs,” Co-author, SHRM - January 2014
  • “The Road to Independence: 101 Women's Journeys to Starting Their Own Law Firms,” Contributor, ABA - 2011
  • “Not Always Black and White,” Co-author, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
  • “The Debate Over Michigan’s Right-To-Work Law,” Co-author, Employment Law 360
  • “Unemployment: How to Defend and Prepare,” Health Care Association of Michigan
  • “Minimize Risks While Hosting a Holiday Party at Work,” Co-author, Corp! Magazine
  • “What’s your Facebook Password? NoneOfYourBusiness,” Co-author, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
  • “Employer Issues Before and After a Disaster: Is Your Company Prepared,” Author, Detroit Regional Chamber
  • “Starting Your Own Law Practice,” Author, Young Lawyers Section of State Bar of Michigan
  • “Don’t Let Election Politics Disrupt Your Workplace,” Co-author, Corp! Magazine
  • “Don’t be Blind-Sided by GINA,” Co-author, Executive Counsel
  • “Genetic Discrimination in Employment,” Co-author, Michigan Bar Journal
  • “Annual Survey of Michigan Employment and Labor Law,” Co-author, Wayne Law Review, 2005-present
  • “Seeking Clarity on Michigan Medical Marijuana Law,” Co-author, Employment Law 360
  • “To Blog or Not to Blog: Employee and Employer Guidelines,” Co-author, Michigan Lawyers Weekly

Ms. Nemeth has presented employment law seminars and participated as a speaker or panelist for a variety of groups including:

  • AIG
  • American Society of Employers
  • Beazley Group
  • Channel 4 News
  • Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
  • Comcast Newsmakers
  • Due Process and the Law (Detroit Public Television)
  • Health Care Association of Michigan
  • Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  • Joint Labor Management Counsel
  • Michigan Municipal Risk Management Association
  • Michigan Public Employer’s Relations Association
  • National Association of Legal Secretaries
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Traveler’s Insurance Group
  • WDET – All Things Considered 
  • WDET – The Craig Fahle Show
  • Women Entrepreneurs of Canada
  • WWJ – 950 Radio

Blog Posts

Admissions

  • Michigan and Illinois State Courts
  • Eastern and Western District of Michigan
  • Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States Supreme Court
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  •         Panel Memeber
  •       Expertise Best Arbitrators & Mediators in Detroit 2018
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Education

  • Master of Labor Law (LL.M.), with honors – Wayne State University School of Law
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Wayne State University School of Law
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Psychology, Sociology, with honors – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Licensed to Practice In

  • Michigan
  • Illinois

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Woman-owned and led, Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer has exclusively represented management in the prevention, resolution, and litigation of labor and employment disputes for more than 30 years.

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