Mark R. Filipp, shareholder of the law firm Kemp, Klein, Umphrey, Endelman & May, P.C., in Troy, Michigan, is a litigator, practicing almost exclusively in the labor and employment law area. Mr. Filipp received his J.D. degree from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1981 and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and recipient of the Clarence M. Burton Scholar award. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from Michigan State University in 1978. Mr. Filipp has defended companies in a wide range of employment cases, including defense of claims alleging wrongful discharge, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge, whistleblower claims, and hearings and appeals before various administrative bodies including the MDCR and EEOC. Mr. Filipp is regularly involved in both the preparation of covenant not to compete agreements and in litigation involving their enforceability. In addition, Mr. Filipp provides regular counsel to employers concerning such matters as mass-layoffs, force reduction, and employee discipline. Mr. Filipp is active in the State Bar of Michigan, having served in many positions, including past Chairperson of the Law Practice Management Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section and active in the Oakland County Bar Association. Mr. Filipp has authored and/or edited many published books and articles. He is the co-author of Employment Law Answer Book, Sixth Edition, and author of The Practical Guide to Employment Law, both published by Aspen Publishers, New York, NY. Mr. Filipp is a frequent lecturer on current employment law issues and conducts in-house training for companies on various employment law topics geared toward reducing risk and exposure to employment litigation.