Michelle M. Bartlett

Mickey’s experience includes collaborating with executive leadership, regulators, labor organizations, and cross-functional teams. For more than two decades, she has managed, negotiated, and provided counsel on large-scale retirement (tax-qualified and non-qualified), health and welfare, cafeteria and consumer-driven plans, fringe benefits, salary continuation, and disability and life insurance plans as well as other policies and plans. Clients rely on Mickey for strategic counsel on Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Her practical experience allows her to anticipate challenges, understand operational constraints, and deliver solutions that are compliant and pragmatic while considering cost and budget restraints.

Mickey drafts plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and a wide range of employee benefit policies, programs, and communications. She researches regulatory matters, offers practical guidance, recommends and prepares employee benefit corrections, and interacts directly with regulatory authorities. She reviews and negotiates third-party administrative service agreements; provides strategic advice on issues arising in corporate transactions, conducts due diligence, and prepares employee benefit sections for transactional agreements. She also prepares government filings.

Prior to joining Butzel, Mickey held a senior legal position managing the Health and Welfare Section of an ERISA boutique firm. She also occupied senior human resources leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies in the automotive industry, where she oversaw US and global benefits strategy, design, compliance, benchmarking, and administration. In addition, Mickey was responsible for the employee benefit aspects of national and local labor negotiations, as well as large-scale acquisitions and divestitures. Mickey has served US and multi-national employers across a wide range of industries including manufacturing, automotive, and health care. Her broad employee benefits background allows her to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical solutions that work in real‑world operations. She helps clients move forward with confidence while protecting organizations from financial and compliance risk.

Mickey is a Senior Attorney practicing in the firm’s Detroit office. She is a member of Butzel’s Employee Benefits and ERISA team, and Labor and Employment Practice Department. Mickey is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Taxation Section and has formerly served as Chair of the Employee Benefits Section.

Mickey brings experience in policy, oversight, and organizational leadership in serving her community on the Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees. She is a past Executive Board Member of the Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy and former Board Member of the Grosse Ile Planning Commission.

All Related Practice Areas

Education

Wayne State University Law School, J.D.

University of Michigan, B.A., Major in Economics; Minor in Business

University of Pennsylvania-Wharton School of Business, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS)

Admissions

Memberships

• State Bar of Michigan – Taxation Section

Community & Professional

State Bar of Michigan - Taxation Section, former Chair of Employee Benefits Section

Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees, elected official

Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy, former Executive Board Member

Grosse Ile Planning Commission, former Board Member