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Rita M. Lauer is located at Harvey Kruse’s Grand Blanc/ Flint office, and her practice centers on employment-side representation, including employment litigation and traditional labor law. Additionally, Rita has also carved out a niche successfully representing product manufacturers in warranty claims, product liability, and consumer protection claims. That said, Rita’s practice includes providing corporate clients guidance in employment compliance, review of vendor agreements, negotiation of commercial lease agreements, and asset purchase agreement negotiation and drafting.

Over her 30 years of litigation practice, Rita has developed skills in negotiating and litigating commercial claims on behalf of clients. This includes litigating commercial lease agreements, breach of shareholder agreements, vendor agreements, and all aspects of employment litigation.

Due to her extensive experience in the employment arena, Rita’s skill set includes ensuring employers comply with all federal and state laws and regulations governing pay, benefits, and bargaining relating to employment. Additionally, Rita has extensive experience in the arbitration of disputes under collective bargaining agreements and claims with the National Labor Relations Board.

Rita has handled regulatory and administrative charges involving the EEOC, MIOSHA, MDCR, UIA, and the NLRB. This includes responding to all charges, engaging in administrative mediations of claims, and defending any administrative investigations that may proceed against an employer.

Rita actively engages in composing and presenting training seminars specific to employment-related matters, including discrimination, reduction in force, harassment, discharge, retaliation, FMLA, and disability-related issues. 

To ensure compliance, Rita reviews and provides insight with respect to handbooks and best practices for employers. This includes review of severance agreements, commission agreements, reduction in force, WARN Act compliance, UIA, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and work rules.

Rita has extensive experience in both trial and arbitration. Rita successfully arbitrated four labor-based collective bargaining matters within the past year. In May of 2025, Rita secured a full dismissal on an action alleging breach of warranty and of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act filed against an RV manufacturer in Grima v. Forest River, 24- 206237 NZ, Oakland County Circuit Court.

Rita has lived in Rose Township in Northern Oakland County for over 20 years with her husband, Michael Guss, and their son, Damien Guss. When not actively litigating, arbitrating, or negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, Rita enjoys running, traveling to South and Central America, and yoga.

Employment

  • Of Counsel at Harvey Kruse, 2025-Present
  • Shareholder at Maddin Hauser, 2022-2025
  • Associate Attorney at Winegarden, Haley, Lindholm and Roberson, 2001-2022
  • Associate Attorney at Wasinger, Kickham and Hanley, 1999-2001
  • Associate Attorney at Hurlburt, Tsiros, Allweil and Perez, 1995-1999
  • Law Clerk/Attorney, City of Saginaw Attorney’s office, 1995

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Super Lawyers, Business and Corporate Law, 2024-Present
  • 2000 Federal Court Recognition Award by Hon. Julian Cook Jr.