Employment Law - Individuals Litigation - Labor and Employment
Glenn L. Smith
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Mr. Smith practices primarily in the areas of employment law, civil litigation, contracts, business and corporate law, construction law, federal government contracts, and postal law. He has unique expertise in federal sector employment law and represents employees of federal agencies in many forums. Mr. Smith has extensive litigation experience in these areas and has appeared before federal district courts, courts of appeal, bankruptcy courts, boards of contract appeal, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit System Protection Board, and state courts and administrative agencies. Mr. Smith was the 2014 and 2016 Chairman of the Grand Rapids Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section. Mr. Smith has successfully assisted clients with document drafting, discrimination claims, disability and Family Medical Leave Act compliance issues, employee handbook questions, and contract disputes. Prior to joining Wheeler Upham, Mr. Smith was in-house counsel with the U.S. Postal Service, where he handled some of its most complex litigation involving personal injury, construction claims, leasing issues, and contract disputes. Mr. Smith handles litigation against the federal government that other attorneys shy away from, including claims arising under the various civil rights laws, the Federal Torts Claim Act, postal revenue deficiencies, and the Contract Disputes Act. Mr. Smith has published articles in the Michigan Bar Journal on mail disputes and bankruptcy appeals.
Overview
Grand Rapids, Michigan
- University of Michigan, JD, graduated 1989
- University of Michigan, BA, graduated 1985
- Michigan, 1989
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Michigan, 1989
- University of Michigan, JD, graduated 1989
- University of Michigan, BA, graduated 1985
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Employment Law - Individuals
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Employment Law - Management
- Government Contracts
- Litigation - Construction
- Litigation - Real Estate
News & Media
Additional Information
Q&A
I specialize in litigating against the U.S. Postal Service and the Federal government. In particular representing postal and federal workers who have been discriminated against or who are facing discipline and removal. I also represent postal contractors in contract and lease disputes and mailers who are facing revenue deficiency claims from the Postal Service. I also support small businesses with their employment law needs.
To litigate against the Federal government, you need to know rules and statutory structure under which you are operating and pursuing relief. Many deadlines are very short and jurisdictional. Some restrict the fee arrangements you can have with your client.
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