Jonathan P. "Jon" Kok
- Partner
My admin
- Joyce Spaulding
Whether it’s a union issue or a thorny problem with a current or former employee, my clients want it handled and resolved without having to babysit their outside counsel. I take problems off their plates, make them my own and solve them.
Jon’s reputation as a high caliber, high stakes attorney has created demand for getting him to the table to manage a variety of disruptive labor and employment issues: labor negotiations, arbitrations, discrimination and harassment claims, unfair competition, disability and leave issues, executive compensation agreements and the like. From local Michigan operations, to global giants in the U.S., China and Germany – there isn’t a leash on where Jon goes to advocate for his clients. Regardless of size, Jon’s greatest pleasure is found in accepting and fixing a client’s problems.
"Responsiveness and clarity are my top priorities. I respond to all of my client inquiries within hours, regardless of where I am at the time – and I do so with clear and concise direction, not legalese."
industries
practices
- Represents major employers in all industries in collective bargaining negotiations and labor relations.
- Represents employers in EEOC and state agency proceedings.
- Assists in employment compliance issues with ADA, FMLA, NLRA, FCRA, FLSA, WARN and other federal and state labor and employment laws.
- Assisted a leading international insurance provider in the design and negotiation of their executive team’s employment agreements.
- Represents employers in litigation, including discrimination, retaliation, payment of wage and hours, harassment, defamation and unfair competition claims.
- Represented Michigan health care facility in successful appeal of supervisory determination under the National Labor Relations Act.</
- Represents major employers in all industries in collective bargaining negotiations and labor relations.
- Represents employers in EEOC and state agency proceedings.
- Assists in employment compliance issues with ADA, FMLA, NLRA, FCRA, FLSA, WARN and other federal and state labor and employment laws.
- Assisted a leading international insurance provider in the design and negotiation of their executive team’s employment agreements.
- Represents employers in litigation, including discrimination, retaliation, payment of wage and hours, harassment, defamation and unfair competition claims.
- Represented Michigan health care facility in successful appeal of supervisory determination under the National Labor Relations Act.
- Successfully represented several hospitals and health care institutions in collective bargaining negotiations.
- Represented large Michigan hospital in successful union decertification election.
- Regular speaker at seminars and civic functions on various employment-related issues, including ADA/FMLA, labor relations, harassment and discrimination, non-competition law and wage and hour issues
- “ADA, FMLA and Sick Leave Issues,” Warner 2023 HR Seminar, May 16, 2023, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Presenter, “Leave Law Compliance and Best Practices Update,” Warner 2022 HR Seminar In-Person Event, May 4, 2022, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Presenter, “The Biden Administration and Legal Impacts in the Wo
- Regular speaker at seminars and civic functions on various employment-related issues, including ADA/FMLA, labor relations, harassment and discrimination, non-competition law and wage and hour issues
- “ADA, FMLA and Sick Leave Issues,” Warner 2023 HR Seminar, May 16, 2023, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Presenter, “Leave Law Compliance and Best Practices Update,” Warner 2022 HR Seminar In-Person Event, May 4, 2022, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Presenter, “The Biden Administration and Legal Impacts in the Workplace,” ACC Michigan Virtual Program, May 13, 2021
- Presenter, “COVID-19 Safeguards for Staying Back at Work and Avoiding Litigation,” OESA Webinar, August 18, 2020
- Presenter, “COVID-19 Safeguard Requirements for Your Workplace,” ACC Webinar, July 23, 2020
- Presenter, “Requirements for Your Workplace as Michigan Reopens,” Warner Webinar, May 26, 2020
- Presenter, “Strategies and Pitfalls for Retaining, Terminating and Returning Employees to Work in the World of COVID-19,” Warner Webinar, April 24, 2020
- Presenter, “Employment Law Update on Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and New Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act,” Warner Webinar, March 31, 2020
- Presenter, “Families First Coronavirus Response Act’s Impact to Employers and Employees,” Warner Webinar, March 24, 2020
- Moderator, “Employee Benefits Panel” and “Labor and Employment Panel,” Warner 2019 HR Executive Panels, October 16, 2019, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- “Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Issues,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 7, 2019, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Moderator, “Employee Benefits Panel” and “Labor and Employment Panel,” Warner HR Executive Panels, October 12, 2018, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- “Legal Issues of Performance Management,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 3, 2018, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- 10 Common Mistakes Managers Make Webinar, March 21, 2018
- “Myth or Truth: Labor & Employment Panel,” Warner Labor & Benefits Executive Panels, October 6, 2017, Midland, Michigan
- “Wage & Hour / FLSA,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 23, 2017, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Moderator, “Managing an Evolving Workforce” and “Wage/Hour and FLSA Issues,” Warner Labor & Benefits Executive Panel, October 18, 2016, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- “Legislative Update” and “The Policies Your Company Needs,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, June 9, 2016, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- FLSA Briefing – New Regulation Update, The Employers Association Seminar, June 1, 2016, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Labor & Benefits Executive Panel, Warner Seminar, October 5, 2015, Traverse City, Michigan
- “Hot Topics in Labor and Employment” and “Recent Changes to the FMLA, ADA,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, April 20, 2015, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Labor and Employment Panel Moderator, Labor and Benefits Executive Panel-Government Enforcement Initiatives, October 2, 2014, Southfield, Michigan
- “FMLA/ADA and Workers’ Comp,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, April 22, 2014, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “HR and Benefits Executive Panel,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, October 9, 2013, Midland, Michigan
- “The Challenges of FMLA and ADA,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, April 29, 2013, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “An Aging Workforce: Navigating the Perfect Storm,” Employment Outlook & Strategy Seminar, October 2, 2012, Birmingham, Michigan
- “An Aging Workforce: Navigating the Perfect Storm,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 2, 2012, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “FMLA/ADA Update” and “An Uptick in Union Organizing?,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 25, 2011, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “FMLA Update,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, March 23, 2010, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “The Importance of Positive Employee Relations for Non-Union Employers,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, September 11, 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- “Whistleblower, Retaliation & Protected Concerted Activity,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, May 10, 2007, Grand Rapids, Michigan
watch my videos
- Why Does My Family Office Need Standard Employment Documents?Legacy Matters
- Holiday Update on Pressing Employment IssuesWarner Employment News from the Law Shanty
- 10 Common Employment Mistakes Family Office Managers MakeLegacy Matters
- Warner 2024 HR Seminar
- Warner 2023 HR Seminar
- Warner 2022 HR Seminar In-Person Event
- COVID-19 Safeguards for Staying Back at Work and Avoiding Litigation
- Webinar: Updated Safeguard Requirements for Your Workplace as Michigan Reopens
- Webinar: Requirements for Your Workplace as Michigan Reopens
- Webinar: Strategies and Pitfalls for Retaining, Terminating and Returning Employees to Work in the World of COVID-19
- Webinar: Employment Law Update on Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and New Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
- Webinar: Families First Coronavirus Response Act’s Impact to Employers and Employees
- 2019 HR Seminar
- 2018 HR Seminar
- Webinar: 10 Common Mistakes Managers Make
- 2017 Labor and Benefits Executive Panels (Midland)
- 2017 HR Seminar
- FLSA Briefing – New Regulation Update
- Human Resources Seminar 2015
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Best Lawyers in America®
- Warner Represents Macatawa Bank Corporation in Its Pending Merger with Wintrust Financial Corporation
- 66 Warner Attorneys Named Top Lawyers by Grand Rapids Magazine
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Best Lawyers in America®
- Warner Represented Star Truck Rentals in Its Sale to Penske Truck Leasing
- 108 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Warner Names New Practice, Industry Group Leaders
- Warner Represents US Subsidiary in Connection With Chervon Holdings’ Initial Public Offering
- 51 Warner Attorneys Rated 2022 Top Lawyers by Grand Rapids Magazine
- Warner Partner Jonathan Kok Featured in MiBiz Article “Reporter’s Notebook: Biden’s vaccine mandate a legal and workplace minefield”
- Warner Partner Jon Kok Interviewed for MiBiz Article on Federal Vaccine Mandate’s Effect on Manufacturing Industry
- 12 Warner Attorneys Named Lawyers of the Year
- 105 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America©
- Amanda M. Fielder and Jonathan P. Kok to Co-chair Warner Labor and Employment Practice Group
- Warner Partner Jonathan Kok Among Michigan Go To Employment Lawyers
- 35 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Top Lawyers by Grand Rapids Magazine
- Warner Represented Uncle Ed’s Oil Shoppes, Inc. and AutoBath America, Inc. in Their Sale to FullSpeed Automotive
- 102 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Best Lawyers in America
- Eighteen Warner Attorneys Named Lawyers of the Year
- One Hundred and Two Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Warner Represents SpartanNash in its Acquisition of Martin’s Super Markets
- Warner Represents BPV Environmental in Its Sale to Pestell Group
- Warner Represents Structural Concepts Corporation in Its Sale to Mason Wells
- Eleven Warner Partners Named Lawyers of the Year
- One Hundred Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Warner Represents TCSB Bancorp, Inc. in Its Merger With Independent Bank Corporation
- Ninety-Seven Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Warner Represented West Shore Bank in the Acquisition of Ellis Capital Management
- Three Warner Partners Elected to Management Committee
- 26 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Rising Stars
- Perrigo to Acquire National Healthcare & Consumer Goods Products Distributor – Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc.
- 90 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Full-time Hiring Top Priority of Employers, Warner Survey Finds
- Warner Representing Birmingham Bloomfield Bancshares, Inc. (Bank of Birmingham) in Merger with Arbor Bancorp, Inc. (Bank of Ann Arbor)
- Warner Representing West Shore Bank in $8.3 Million Acquisition of West Michigan Bank & Trust
- 98 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- 98 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Warner to Offer Daylong Human Resources Seminar
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Uptick in FLSA Litigation Over Attendance Bonuses
- Michigan Attorney General Supports FTC’s Proposed Ban on Noncompete Agreements
- FTC Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Prohibit Noncompete Clauses
- HR Professionals Day Offering from Warner
- Why Does My Family Office Need Standard Employment Documents?
- Holiday Update on Pressing Employment Issues
- CDC Revises Close-Contact Quarantine Guidance – What Does It Mean For Michigan Employers?
- The State of Mask Requirements and Other Limitations
- Curbing FMLA Abuse in the Summertime
- 10 Common Employment Mistakes Family Office Managers Make
- Judge Orders Delay in Implementation of New FLSA Regulations
- “The Old Workforce Just Ain’t What It Used To Be,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 9/23/2011
- “The Old Workforce Just Ain’t What It Used To Be,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 9/23/2011