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Connie M. Cessante

Senior Counsel
fax +1 313.309.6829

Connie Cessante advises employers on all matters relating to the employment relationship, conducts workplace investigations, and litigates and defends employment-related claims filed under federal and state law.

Connie counsels employers, large and small, on a variety of day-to-day employment matters including disciplinary action, wage and hour issues, internal workplace investigations, workplace training, and drafts personnel policies and employment agreements. She has successfully defended an array of employment claims including claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower claims, violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act and wage and hour laws, breach of contract, wrongful discharge, and administrative charges.

Education

J.D., University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Detroit, Michigan, 1987
B.S., magna cum laude, University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, Michigan, 1983

Recognitions

Named 2024 Top Lawyer by DBusiness

Named among The Best Lawyers in America® for Employment Law-Management; Litigation-Labor and Employment (2011-2025)

Named a Leading Lawyer in Detroit by Leading Lawyers℠ (2014, 2020, 2022-2024)

Martindale-Hubbell “AV” Rated

Selected to the Michigan Super Lawyers list for Employment Litigation: Defense (2010-2021, 2024)

Top Lawyers in Michigan, Michigan Lawyers Weekly (2018)

Top Attorney In Michigan, Crain’s Detroit Business (2019)

DBusiness Magazine’s Top Lawyers (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)

Hour Detroit Magazine’s Top Women Attorneys in Michigan (2014, 2016-2018, 2020)

Fortune Magazine’s Top Rated Lawyers, Labor & Employment Law (2013)

Memberships

State Bar of Michigan, Labor & Employment Law Section

American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section and Committee on Individual Rights and Responsibilities

Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section

Defense Research Institute

Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce

Ministry Council for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen

State Bar Licenses

Michigan

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
U.S. District Ct., E.D. of Michigan
U.S. District Ct., W.D. of Michigan
U.S. District Ct., N.D. of Indiana
U.S. District Ct., S.D. of Indiana

Presentations

  • Absence Management & the Family and Medical Leave Act
  • SE MI LE Conference Telecommuting in the Digital Age
  • Wrapping Your Arms Around Leave and Absenteeism Issues to Reduce Associated Costs (Co-Presented)
  • SE MI LE Conference FMLA and ADA Accommodation Case Study
  • SE MI LE Conference Workplace Investigations – The Must Haves
  • Webinar: Benefits on Termination and a Leave of Absence
  • ICLE: Contributing Author, Wage-Hour and Other Statutory Claims, Employment Litigation in Michigan, Third Edition

The Clark Hill approach is equally pragmatic and growth-minded, which is why we understand our clients’ toughest business challenges. Our multidisciplinary, global team of advisors focuses on smart legal solutions, delivered simply.

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