Vicki J. Patterson

Profile

Vicki Patterson has specialized in employer advocacy and employment litigation defense since 1989.  She has expertise in all facets of litigation and alternative dispute resolution including case evaluation, facilitation, arbitration, trial and appeal in both federal and state court.   She has advised and counseled clients in all areas of employment law, has conducted workplace investigations, and has drafted handbooks and policy manuals.  She has also conducted seminars and webinars for management-level employees and human resource representatives on various topics, including the Family and Medical Leave Act and Employee Handbooks.  She also has extensive experience representing clients before the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

Vicki has also served as an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, teaching Advanced Research and Writing, and has been a volunteer judge for Michigan State University College of Law’s Research, Writing and Advocacy Program, Oral Argument Competitions.

Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins in September 2007, Vicki was a partner in the Law Firm of Cattel, Tuyn & Rudzewicz, where she specialized in employment litigation defense for eight years, and a partner in the Law Firm of Hardy, Lewis & Page, where she specialized in employment litigation defense for 10 years.

Experience

Experience: 

Vicki has represented numerous employers, large and small, including two of Detroit’s “Big Three” automotive manufacturers, several automotive suppliers, a large telecommunications company, an energy company, nursing homes, health care providers, a local school district, and a private school.

Education and Honors

Education: 

J.D., summa cum laude, Detroit College of Law, 1989
B.A., summa cum laude, Oakland University, 1986

Honors and Awards: 
  • Top Lawyers 2010 - Category of Labor and Employment by DBusiness (Detroit’s Business Journal)

Professional Activities

Professional Activities: 
  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Oakland County Bar Association
Speeches:
  • ExecSense Webinars - "Helping Your Clients Update Their Handbooks for 2011" - webinar - December 10, 2010
  • ExecSense Webinars - "Updating Your Handbook for 2011" - webinar - November 29, 2010
  • Ogletree Deakins Breakfast Briefing - "Employee Handbooks: Top Ten Policies to Review, Revise or Rip Out" - October 22, 2009
  • Michigan Breakfast Briefing Series - "The FMLA: Little Clarity Now; More Confusion Coming" - October 2008

In The News

Published Works:
  • March 4, 2010 - Corp! Magazine - "What Should Always Be Included in Employee Handbooks"