Hiring an Employment Lawyer in Michigan
Where to file a discrimination complaint in Michigan, exceptions to at-will employment, final pay rules, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Michigan: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | A contingent fee is allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits it. The agreement must be in writing and state how the fee will be determined; at the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the client's share and how it was figured. Michigan Court Rule 8.121 adds requirements for some contingent fee agreements. Lawyers may not charge a criminal defendant a contingent fee, or charge a domestic relations fee contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, or based on the lawyer's success, results obtained, value added or any factor that leaves the client unable to discern how the fee is determined. |
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| If a lawyer takes your money | The State Bar of Michigan Client Protection Fund reimburses clients harmed by a lawyer's dishonest conduct, such as theft or embezzlement of estate, trust or settlement funds, or failing to return unearned fees; it does not cover malpractice, negligence, fee disputes or consequential damages. Limits: $150,000 per claimant and $375,000 for all claims against one attorney (prorated if exceeded). File within two years after the loss or six months after discovery, whichever is later (or within one year after a discipline determination or the lawyer's death). A Request for Investigation with the Attorney Grievance Commission is part of the application. There is no filing fee; a lawyer who helps may charge no more than $250 unless the State Bar authorizes more. Contact: cpf@michbar.org, (517) 346-6354. Fund home: https://www.michbar.org/client/protectionfund |
Michigan rules to know first
| Where to file a discrimination complaint | Michigan Department of Civil Rights. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act covers employers with 1 or more employees. Source: MCL 37.2201 |
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| Whistleblower protection | Employers may not fire, threaten or otherwise punish an employee who reports, or is about to report, a suspected violation of law to a public body, or who is asked to take part in a public body's investigation or a court action. A lawsuit must be filed within 90 days of the violation. Deadline: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-15-363 |
| Final paycheck if you are fired | All wages earned and due must be paid immediately, as soon as the amount can be determined with due diligence. Source: MCL 408.475(2) |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service matches people who can afford to hire a lawyer with a participating panel lawyer; a referral assistant matches you by type of matter and area. Per the program rules (May 2023), the service "charges a $25 administrative fee" and the panelist "will provide up to a 25-minute initial consultation free of charge"; the fee is waived for residential tenants, Social Security claimants, workers' compensation claimants and personal injury plaintiffs. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. A Modest Means Program connects moderate-income people with attorneys offering reduced-cost help. Program rules: https://www.michbar.org/file/lrs/lrs-programrules.pdf |
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| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints (Requests for Investigation) about Michigan lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission. Anyone may file, using the AGC form or a signed letter describing the misconduct with approximate time and place and any documents (unbound, unstapled). Requests are not accepted electronically or by fax; mail them to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 2100, Troy, MI 48084. Intake decides whether the lawyer must respond or dismisses (you may ask for reconsideration); after investigation the Commission may close the file, issue a consensual admonition, place the lawyer on contractual probation, or authorize formal charges before the Attorney Discipline Board, and notifies the parties in writing. A lawyer's public disciplinary record can be requested from the Commission. Phone: 313-961-6585. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Michigan's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Lakeshore Legal Aid, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program and Michigan Indian Legal Services. |
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Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.