Overview

Attorney Adam Forman* leverages his 25 years of experience representing employers in all manner of employment litigation and traditional labor matters to advise clients on emerging technologies and their impact in the workplace.

Based in the Detroit-metro and Chicago offices of Epstein Becker Green, Adam represents a broad range of clients, including automotive, health care, hospitality, logistics, retail, staffing, technology, and utility companies, among others. He is a frequent writer and national lecturer on issues related to technology in the workplace, such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital and social media, and privacy issues facing employers.

As noted in the 2021 edition of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, “Adam Forman has a diverse labor and employment practice and is particularly well known for his experience in the intersection of employment law and technology.” According to one of its sources, Adam is “[a]n excellent attorney who is doing some really cutting-edge work about AI and employment.”

Because of his experience as a workplace technology and labor and employment law attorney, Adam is often interviewed by newspapers, radio stations, and legal blogs. He co-leads the firm’s AI practice group.

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Adam’s employment litigation practice focuses on defending employers against claims of wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations. Employers also turn to Adam to represent them in labor arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, and collective bargaining. A significant portion of Adam’s practice includes training companies on workplace compliance issues, such as workforce engagement and conducting effective workplace investigations.

In 2016, Adam was elected to The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers as a Fellow, the highest recognition by one's colleagues of sustained outstanding performance in the profession, exemplifying integrity, dedication, and excellence.

*Admitted in Michigan; not admitted in Illinois.

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Focus Areas

Experience

  • Currently advises a global fast-food company as it undergoes a major update to its recruiting and onboarding processes by using AI products, including chatbots and selection tools, and is assisting with implementation of the additional systems, taking into careful consideration the risk and concerns for candidates as well as ensuring everything is compliant with labor and employment law.
  • Regularly reviews and opines on social media posts, and advises clients on response strategies, with a focus on minimizing legal risk. For example, Adam helped a post-acute health care services company deal with multiple situations during the COVID-19 pandemic in which employees posted content on their personal social media pages that shed a negative light on the client and potentially scared the community from seeking medical treatment. Adam analyzed the complainants’ online videos and posts and advised his client on strategy.
  • Successfully defended a pharmacy chain against a lawsuit brought by a pharmacist who alleged that he was terminated in violation of public policy for shooting at attempted armed robbers. Adam’s arguments convinced the U.S. district court that there was no basis for a public policy wrongful discharge claim. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court’s ruling.
  • Successfully represented an automotive client in an arbitration where a union official challenged his discharge for causing a workplace injury to a coworker while under the influence of alcohol. This was the first time that the client had taken a case to arbitration in over 40 years. Because of the gravity of this offense, the client wanted to send a signal to other employees that this sort of behavior would not be tolerated.
  • Successfully represented an energy company in a multi-day arbitration that was brought because one of its employees who was on storm duty after a power outage had not adequately inspected or cordoned off a dangerous area affected by the storm, resulting in the death of a resident.
  • Conducted union-free (workplace engagement) training for a large health care system.

Recognition

  • The American Lawyer: ”Midwest Trailblazers” (2021)
  • The Best Lawyers in America: “Lawyer of the Year” for Employment Law—Management (Detroit) (2019); Employment Law—Management and Labor Law—Management (2012 to 2015 and 2018 to 2025); Labor and Employment Law (2010 to 2011)
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business: Michigan—Labor & Employment, "Leader in Their Field" (2011 to 2024)
  • DBusiness Magazine:  Labor and Employment Law, “Top Lawyers” (2012, 2015, 2016, 2022)
  • Lawdragon: “500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers” (2020 to 2024); “100 Most Powerful Employment Lawyers” (2019); “Up and Comers” (2014 to 2018)
  • Leading Lawyers: Employment Law: Management and Labor Law: Management (2014 to 2022)
  • The Legal 500 United States: Workplace and Employment Counseling (2018 to 2021); Labor-Management Relations (2016, 2017, 2021)
  • Michigan Rising Stars: Employment & Labor (2008)
  • Michigan Super Lawyers: Employment & Labor (2009 to 2024)
  • Who's Who Legal: Labour & Employment (2019, 2020, 2022)

Credentials

Education

  • Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 1996)
  • Michigan State University (B.A., 1993)

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Professional & Community Involvement

  • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Employer Co-Chair, Marketing Committee 2010-2011; Employer Co-Chair, Technology & Social Networking 2009-2012; Technology Track Coordinator, ABA 6th Annual Section of Labor & Employment Law Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2011-2012; Law Practice Development Track Coordinator, ABA 5th Annual Section of Labor & Employment Law Conference, Seattle, WA, 2010-2011
  • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Employer Co-Chair, Technology in the Practice and Workplace; Co-Chair, National Symposium on Technology in Labor & Employment Law, New York, NY, 2012; Planning Committee Member, National Symposium on Technology in Labor & Employment Law, New York, NY 2009-2010, 2010-2011
  • Bloomberg BNA Labor and Employment Innovation and Technology Board, 2015-2020
  • The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow
  • Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
  • Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter; Co-Chair, Social Media Committee, 2010-2012
  • Leadership Detroit XXIX, 2007-2008
  • Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
  • Neighborhood Service Organization, Board of Directors, 2020-present
  • Oakland County Bar Association, Employment & Labor Committee, Chair, 2007-2008; Vice Chair, 2006-2007
  • Orchards Children's Services, Board of Directors, 2008-2021; Board of Directors Chair, 2018-2020; Board of Directors Vice Chair, 2016-2017; Governance Committee Chair, 2012
  • State Bar of Michigan - Labor and Employment Law Section Council Member (2016-2020)

Media

Events

Insights

Insights

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