William E. Altman

William Altman practices in the areas of labor, employment, and benefits litigation on behalf of private and public sector employers. He has extensive experience representing employers in cases involving anti-discrimination laws, whistle-blower and retaliation actions, ERISA actions, non-competition agreements, trade secrets, fiduciary duty actions, and class actions. William defends employers in state and federal courts and before state and federal agencies.

He has particular experience defending and advising employers in employee benefits matters. In addition to advising employers in such matters, William has successfully defended employers in ERISA class actions alleging breach of fiduciary duty, discrimination, and denial of benefits. He serves as national benefit litigation counsel for a Detroit automaker. William has also represented employers in single and multiple beneficiary litigation involving the denial of benefits, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, and declaratory actions to determine beneficiaries.

He also advises employers regarding their obligations under state and federal employment laws, including employment and separation agreements, employment policies, internal investigations, and compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination, wage and hour, and benefits laws.

William is a member of the Labor and Employment Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan and the American Bar Association, the ABA's Employee Benefits Committee, and the Federal Bar Association.

William has served as an Editor of the Michigan Employment Law Letter since 1997. he also served as a co-author of Employment Law in Michigan, An Employer's Guide, ICLE from 1997 through 2016.William served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert E. DeMascio of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.