Attorney Profile
Of Counsel
Phone: (248) 354-9650
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn Profile
John R. Canzano joined the firm in 1979. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1975. He received a Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Wayne State University Law School in 1979. He has been a member of the Michigan State Bar since 1979. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeal for the Sixth Circuit and for the District of Columbia Circuit as well as in federal courts in Michigan.
John is counsel for the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, and, in that position has successfully defended the Michigan Prevailing Wage Act, which required the use of union wage rates on state and public school construction projects in Michigan, against multiple legal challenges in the Michigan and federal courts, including the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, and the Michigan Court of Appeals. He was a winner of the Distinguished Brief Award from Thomas Cooley Law Review for his Brief in the Michigan Supreme Court in a case challenging the constitutionality of the Michigan Prevailing Wage Act. John has lobbied and testified before the Michigan Legislature and local governmental bodies, and has assisted in drafting legislation, on behalf of Michigan building trades unions. John has spoken on a number of occasions on federal, state and local prevailing wage laws, project labor agreements, and responsible contractor policies before unions, contractor associations and local government bodies throughout Michigan on behalf of building trades unions. He has been on the faculty of numerous conferences and seminars on labor law issues, including the annual Michigan State University Labor Law Conference, the Wayne State University Gottfried Labor Law Seminar, AFL-CIO Lawyer’s Coordinating Committee regional conferences, and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education Labor and Employment Law Seminar.
John has represented numerous International and Local Unions on a wide range of issues during his career, including the UAW International and many of its Locals; the Utility Workers Union of America and its Local 223; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, SEIU National Fast Food Workers Union, the Michigan Education Association, and Local Unions of the Bricklayers, Iron Workers, Electrical Workers, Plumbers, Sprinkler Fitters, Roofers, Elevator Constructors and Insulators. During the last several years, he has represented Utility Workers Local 223 in various regulatory proceedings before the Michigan Public Service Commission.
John has represented several ERISA fringe benefit funds, including the SEIU National Industry Pension Fund and the Insulators Local 47 Joint Apprenticeship Trust Committee, in various matters involving collections, defense against participant suits and fund administration. He has been class counsel in retiree health care suits in several matters.