overview
Mark C. Knoth has over 20 years of experience representing employers in a wide range of employment and labor law matters.
Practice Areas
Bio
Mark chairs the firm’s Labor, Employment, Employee Benefits & ERISA Practice Group. On a daily basis, Mark counsels and advises business owners, managers and human resources professionals on workplace issues including civil rights and anti-discrimination laws; employee discipline; wage and hour; overtime; employee leaves; reasonable accommodations; veterans issues; picketing; secondary boycotts; reductions in force; drug testing; unemployment compensation; affirmative action; and union organizing campaigns, among other matters. He additionally drafts employee policies, handbooks, contracts, and covenants not to compete, and investigates threats of violence, allegations of harassment, and other employee misconduct.
Mark has successfully represented employers in hearings, trials, and appeals in federal and state courts on a variety of employment law claims including, race, sex and national origin cases alleging discrimination, retaliation and harassment under Title VII; disability and failure to accommodate claims under the ADA; age discrimination claims under the ADEA; retaliation and failure to reinstate claims under the FMLA; claims alleging failure to pay wages and overtime under the FLSA; employee benefit claims under ERISA; breach of covenants not to compete claims; wrongful termination claims and numerous other State and Federal claims. A number of cases Mark has successfully handled have become published cases.
Mark represents employers in investigations conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the Michigan and U.S. Departments of Labor, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. As a special mediator for the EEOC, Mark facilitates the resolution of charges of discrimination brought against employers.
Mark’s broad range of experience also includes traditional labor relations matters such as negotiating collective bargaining agreements, trying discharge and contract interpretation grievances in labor arbitration, and he appears before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Michigan Employment Relations Commission at unit clarification hearings and union certification elections, and unfair labor practice proceedings.
Mark frequently speaks to employer groups, and trains human resources managers on a variety of employment-related legal topics. He also writes on subjects related to his practice and is a contributing editor to a nationally recognized publication. Mark is conversational in German.
Mark was named to The Best Lawyers in America© for more than five years in the management side of employment law. He also has been named a Michigan “Super Lawyer” in Business Litigation for four years and maintains the Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, reflecting preeminence in his legal ability and ethical standards. Mark has also received an Excellent rating through Avvo.com. Mark was also selected by DBusiness Magazine as one of Detroit’s Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit for Labor and Employment Law for 2015.
credentials
Affiliations
- Michigan State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
- Oakland County Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
- Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM)
- Northville Educational Foundation, Board Member
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Bar and Court Admissions
- Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Education
- University of Detroit School of Law, J.D.
- Michigan Business Law Journal
- Michigan State University, James Madison College, B.A
Insights & News
August 18, 2022
Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
August 12, 2022
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
January 13, 2022
Implementation of OSHA Private Employer Vaccine or Test Emergency Temporary Standard Stayed by U.S. Supreme Court
November 5, 2021
Is Your Facility Covered by OSHA's New ETS?
September 13, 2021
Upcoming Webinar - Return to Work: Laws Regarding Vaccines
August 19, 2021
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® List
August 5, 2021
Are Masks Back?
May 25, 2021
MIOSHA Announces New Workplace Rules
May 14, 2021
Mask or No Mask? CDC’s New Mask Guidance
January 8, 2021
What Employers Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccine Policies
November 16, 2020
22 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness 2021 Top Lawyers
October 22, 2020
Virtual Event: Labor and employment law in Michigan: 2020 challenges and beyond
October 20, 2020
Webinar: COVID-19 and Reductions in the Workforce
October 6, 2020
“Now What?”: Supreme Court’s COVID-19 Executive Order Decision
September 28, 2020
COBRA Election Notices and Other Deadlines Remain Extended
September 21, 2020
Employment Policies on COVID-19 Vaccine Policies
September 18, 2020
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
September 10, 2020
Upcoming Webinar: COVID-19 and Reductions in Work Force
September 4, 2020
Payroll Tax Deferral
August 20, 2020
Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2021 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
August 13, 2020
President Trump Issues Presidential Memorandum Authorizing Payroll Tax Deferral
June 29, 2020
Travel Recommendations for Summer 2020
June 3, 2020
Michigan Stay-At-Home Order Rescinded
April 28, 2020
PPP Receives Additional Funding but Problems Persist
April 27, 2020
Michigan Extends Stay Home Requirement - Some Activities Allowed to Resume
April 14, 2020
Kerr Russell's Support for Manufacturers Highlighted with Michigan Manufacturers Association
April 13, 2020
Business Insights for Michigan's Stay at Home Order Extension
April 1, 2020
Paid Leave Coverage Update
March 30, 2020
Emergency Orders Requiring COVID-19 Screenings and Social Distancing Plans
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 Employer Guidance: How to Navigate the Most Common Challenges
March 24, 2020
How the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order May Affect Your Business
March 24, 2020
Kerr Russell Webinar on COVID-19 Guidance for Employers
March 18, 2020
Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 18, 2020
Michigan Employment Security Act EO Amendment
March 17, 2020
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity: A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends
March 17, 2020
Employer Obligations Arising from COVID-19 (Part 2)
March 16, 2020
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 16, 2020
COVID-19 Outbreak Prompts Flexibility in Unemployment Insurance Benefits
March 16, 2020
IRS Relaxes Health Plan Rules to Combat COVID 19
March 13, 2020
Executive Order 2020-5 and Private Employers
March 13, 2020
Responding to Employee Concerns About Coronavirus/COVID-19 (Part 1)
November 15, 2019
19 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness Top Lawyers for 2020
October 30, 2019
Kerr Russell Attorneys Discuss Legal Issues for Nonprofits at MICPA Event
October 3, 2019
Mark Knoth Explains the Department of Labor Revised Overtime Rule
September 3, 2019
15 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized on the 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers List
August 29, 2019
Marijuana in the Workplace and its Impact on Company Policies
August 15, 2019
15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Are Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America© 2020
July 25, 2019
Kerr Russell Labor and Employment Attorney Presenting on Marijuana in the Workplace
March 25, 2019
Mark C. Knoth welcomed into the 2018-2019 class of fellows of the Oakland County Bar Foundation
September 25, 2018
Sneak peek: Katherine Cser authors "Managing Talent in the Fluctuating Workforce" for Corp! Magazine
September 21, 2018
Kerr Russell sponsors, partners attend Metropolitan Detroit's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For 2018 event
September 20, 2018
Kerr Russell recognizes our 2018 dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees
September 20, 2018
Kiefer Foundation Awards $50,000 in Scholarships to Winners of Hands Free Driving Contest
September 7, 2018
15 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers
August 22, 2018
Cross-industry panel addresses "Engaging the Experienced Workforce" at Kerr Russell/OESA hosted seminar
August 15, 2018
15 lawyers from Kerr Russell were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019
August 7, 2018
Mark Knoth featured in Corp! Magazine article "Leaders Under Legal Scrutiny" (July/August 2018)
July 22, 2018
Automotive Hall of Fame Gala honors Steve Kiefer and Kiefer Foundation - Mark Knoth, Kiefer Foundation board member, attends
June 25, 2018
Kerr Russell featured as advertiser in Corp! Magazine's annual Human Resources Guide
May 25, 2018
Supreme Court Holds Class and Collective Action Waivers are Enforceable
May 24, 2018
Michigan Civil Rights Commission Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
April 23, 2018
Kerr Russell colleagues and family members spend Earth Day 2018 volunteering at Votrobeck Playground
April 3, 2018
Jury in Eastern District of Michigan Awards Plaintiff $16.8 Million in Employment Lawsuit
February 22, 2018
Katherine Cser contributes "Proposed Tip-Pooling Regulation: Impact on Restaurateurs” to American Bar Association Section of Litigation, Employment and Labor Relations Law
February 14, 2018
Kerr Russell lunch and learn with Sterling Insurance Group
January 26, 2018
Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services
January 3, 2018
Kerr Russell highlighted in Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue
December 18, 2017
Kerr Russell team makes holiday donations to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, and Children's Hospital of Michigan
December 4, 2017
Michigan Minimum Wage Increase to Take Effect on January 1, 2018
November 30, 2017
Merry and bright ... Kerr Russell welcomes the holiday season
November 16, 2017
Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness
November 3, 2017
Kerr Russell launches new advertising in upcoming issues of dbusiness and Crain's Detroit
November 3, 2017
Kerr Russell recognizes this year’s dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees
November 2, 2017
Mark Knoth offers insight on "white collar" overtime exemption under Trump administration
November 1, 2017
Kerr Russell ranked in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in 1 practice area and regionally in 17 practice areas
October 30, 2017
California Joins List of States and Municipalities Banning Salary Inquiries
October 5, 2017
Supreme Court to Consider FLSA Exemption for Automobile Dealerships’ Service Advisors
September 12, 2017
16 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers
August 31, 2017
U.S. Office of Management and Budget initiates review and immediate stay of the government’s pay data collection process
August 21, 2017
17 lawyers from Kerr Russell were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018
August 15, 2017
Mark Knoth quoted in Bloomberg Law: Bureau of National Affairs article “Should Employers Cover Pot to Battle Opioid Addiction?” by Sean Forbes
August 10, 2017
A culture of giving
May 3, 2017
Mark Knoth speaks at OESA event highlighting first 100 days of the Trump administration
November 19, 2016
"Federal District Judge Halts Implementation of New Overtime Rule" by Mark Knoth
November 7, 2016
Kerr Russell attorneys named 2017 Top Lawyers by dBusiness Magazine
March 25, 2015
Mark Knoth writes article "Supreme Court Signals Pregnant Employee Accommodation May Be Required"
Representative Matters
Defended corporations in numerous cases brought by current and former employees alleging race, sex, pregnancy, national origin, retaliation and harassment in state and federal courts
Obtained summary judgment in case in which corporation was accused of WARN Act violations
Represented employers in wage and hour investigations initiated by the U.S. Department of Labor
Lead counsel for corporation in wage and hour litigation brought by the U.S. Department of Justice
Negotiated collective bargaining agreements for employer associations and individual employers
Represented employers in matters governed by “neutrality” and “card check” agreements
Represented employers before the National Labor Relations Board
Arbitrated discharge and contract interpretation grievances
Handled restrictive covenant litigation
Advised clients in the restructuring of their workforce and coordinated reductions in force
Provided day-to-day human resources advice to human resources personnel, executives and business owners
Guided employers through the union election process
Drafted and advised company regarding Executive Employment Agreements
Successfully represented an auto supplier at arbitration, where the discharge of a UAW union steward who tested positive for marijuana and presented a Michigan Medical Marijuana Card as a defense, was upheld