Keith J. Brodie

Keith J. Brodie

Grand Rapids, MI recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019
Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management Litigation - Labor and Employment

Biography

Traditional labor lawyer and employment law counselor Keith Brodie represents the interests of employers in Michigan and across the country. Personable, detail- and business-oriented when rendering critical legal advice, Keith’s willingness to listen, combined with his strategic legal thinking, allows him to serve client interests while building rapport and consensus.

Keith advises on traditional labor law matters under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). His experience includes collective bargaining negotiations, administration of collective bargaining agreements, and arbitration proceedings. He also works with employers to develop and train management on union-free strategies, assess facility vulnerability and respond to union petitions and organizing efforts. A significant portion of Keith’s practice involves defending against unfair labor practice charges. He also has significant experience analyzing and developing labor law strategies for mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and other employer operational changes.

A tireless problem-solver who is listed in Chambers USA in his area of practice, Keith focuses on solutions that incorporate not only the law, but also its strategic and practical application to each client’s objectives and desired outcome. His ability to address complex legal issues with pragmatism and creativity is coupled with a commitment to building productive working relationships with his clients, adversaries and labor representatives.

In his employment law practice, Keith counsels clients regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employment discrimination investigations and claims, employee hiring, discipline and termination. He also advises on reductions in force and WARN compliance, and conducts supervisor and manager training on a number of labor and employment law topics.

Keith is a frequent presenter and author. For nearly a decade, he has served as a contributing editor for American Bar Association/BNA titles and their yearly supplements, including “Covenants Not to Compete,” “Employee Duty of Loyalty,” “Trade Secrets” and “Tortious Interference in the Employment Context.” Keith also chairs and contributes to the Labor and Employment Department's BT Labor Relations blog.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Overview

  • University of Detroit Mercy, J.D., graduated 1994
  • University of Detroit Mercy, J.D., graduated 1994
  • Alma College, graduated 1991

  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
  • University of Detroit Mercy, J.D., graduated 1994
  • University of Detroit Mercy, J.D., graduated 1994
  • Alma College, graduated 1991
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth 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 - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
Special Focus:
  • COVID-19
Awards:
  • Lawyers of Distinction, 2017-2018
  • Chambers USA, 2016-2019
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2019

Additional Information

  • Professional and Community Involvement
Member, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

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