Attorney Bios

Kathleen L. Bogas

Kathleen L. Bogas leads a team of experienced lawyers focused on protecting civil rights. She is a trial attorney who has specialized in employment, civil rights and personal injury law for over 33 years. Kathy has tried many cases successfully in the State and Federal Courts throughout the country and was one of the first attorneys in Michigan to try employment related cases.

Kathy was President of the National Employment Lawyers Association from 2006-2007, leading over 3000 attorneys nationwide in representing individuals in employment related matters. She continues active participation with NELA frequently lecturing throughout the country and lobbying in Washington, D.C.

Kathy was also President of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, now known as Michigan Association for Justice, leading over 2500 trial attorneys in representing individuals. She continues to serve on MAJ’s executive board and is co-chair of the Employment Committee.

Believing giving back to the profession is important, Kathy has served in many capacities for the State Bar of Michigan. She has served on the Labor and Employment Law Council, served as Chairperson of the Negligence Council and as Chairperson of the Special Committee on Improving Defense Counsel-Insurer Relations. She currently serves as Co-Chairperson of the Judicial Qualifications Committee.

Kathy’s accomplishments have been recognized by national organizations. She is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, considered to be the premiere legal professional organization comprised of the best of the trial bar in the United States and Canada, and has received the highest rating possible, “AV,” from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review national legal directory. Since 1989, she has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America as one of the best employment lawyers in the nation. She is a fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, a group of distinguished lawyers who specialize in employment law. Kathy has served on the board of Directors for the Wayne County Mediation Tribunal, and is presently an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, serves on the Advisory Board for the EEOC Detroit Office Mediation Program, and serves in various capacities in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County bar organizations where she also sits as a case evaluator.

Kathy has presented at conferences and seminars throughout the country on all aspects of employment law and trial advocacy. She has been recognized for her accomplishments by being named one of the top three attorneys in Michigan in “Michigan Super Lawyers” published in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Books widely recognized as authoritative treatises contain contributions and chapters authored by Kathy and she is the co-editor of Employment Litigation in Michigan (ICLE) and Federal Employment litigation (The Rutter Group). She received the honor of being presented with the Respected Advocate Award by the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel in 2001.

Part of Kathy’s practice includes assisting others in resolving their disputes. She is frequently appointed as a mediator, case evaluator and arbitrator. She also conducts thorough independent workplace investigations.

Kathy believes that the workplace can be made better by people doing the right thing. She believes discrimination can be eliminated from the workplace making employees and the company more productive. When not practicing law, Kathy, who grew up in Detroit, enjoys golfing with her husband Frank, who is an attorney, and spending time with her children Kate and Bobby. Family and teamwork are very important to her. She is committed to providing the best team and legal minds to the clients of the firm.

Brian E. Koncius

Brian concentrates his practice in employment law. His experience as a former defense attorney at a large international law firm helps him understand what his clients are up against. Brian knows what each side is seeking from litigation and he will use that experience and knowledge to create the right strategy to help you reach your goals, whether you are considering litigation, alternative dispute resolution, contract negotiations, or simply seeking advice.

Brian represents both individuals and corporations interested in doing the right thing. He has guided many employees to successful resolutions of their employment issues through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and its Mediation program and has litigated a multitude of employment claims on behalf of employees and employers. He has also helped corporations draft employment policies and employee handbooks focused on protecting the corporation and its employees and making the corporation a place where employees want to work and want to stay. Brian has helped corporate Vice Presidents, Presidents, and CEOs negotiate significant separation packages allowing the executive to smoothly transition into the next phase of his/her career or into retirement. He has also negotiated employment agreements for executives entering a new workplace or during changes in corporate control. He can help you, and he can help your company.

Brian received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was an Associate Editor for the Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review. Brian also graduated cum laude from Duke University with an A.B. in Public Policy Studies and a Minor in Art History.

Brian is a member of the Illinois and Michigan State Bars. He is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth and Seventh Circuits, and the United States District Courts in the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, and Eastern District of Michigan.

Brian is a very active participant in bar associations and other legal organizations. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Labor & Employment Law Section and a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA), where he sits on the OCBA Membership Committee. Brian is also and is an active participant in the American Inns of Court and a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), where he was part of the founding group of the Developing New Attorneys Section of NELA. He has also lobbied Congress as a member of NELA.

Brian is a native of the Detroit area and a lifelong sports fan. When Brian is not working for you, you can find him and his wife, Pam, at home either being walked by their rescue dogs, Jester (American Staffordshire Terrier/Boxer mix), Charlie (Great Dane), and Bella (Bassett Hound) or working in the garden, at the Palace cheering for the Pistons, or at Comerica Park root, root, rooting for the Tigers. He will be happy to share his peanuts and Cracker Jack when you see him at the game. Give him a call!

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Charlotte Croson

A good lawyer knows what tools will work. With her experience clerking for state and federal trial court judges, her practice in the trial courts, and her many briefs for the Michigan Courts of Appeals, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court, Charlotte Croson has the tools to get the job done for you.

Charlotte graduated from Goucher College, Baltimore, MD in 1992 with honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1995. Charlotte is a member of the Maryland State Bar (1995) and Michigan State Bar (1997) and belongs to the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Michigan State Bar. Charlotte also belongs to the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and the National Employment Lawyers Association, a national professional organization exclusively comprised of lawyers who represent individual employees in cases involving employment discrimination and other employment matters. Charlotte is admitted to practice in the Eastern District of Michigan and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Charlotte began her legal career as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Pamela R. Harwood, Wayne County Circuit Court, and then to the Honorable Marianne O. Battani, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. As a judicial clerk, Charlotte gained first hand insight and experience into the inner workings of the judicial system at both the federal and state levels. Charlotte joined the firm in 2002 and she represents individuals and employers in the State and Federal Courts. Charlotte has written briefs on issues of great importance in employment and civil rights law in the Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. And, as a member of the Amicus Committee for the Michigan Association of Justice, Charlotte has co-written amicus briefs on important employment law issues in the State of Michigan. Charlotte is also a contributing author to Employment Litigation in Michigan.

Charlotte is a native Ohioan who now lives in Ann Arbor, where nothing she owns is Maize and Blue. While her colleague Brian Koncius loves his three dogs, Charlotte prefers her three cats, all rescue animals. In Charlotte’s free time, you can find her riding her mountain bike on the many local Michigan trails.

Helene L. Fleisher

Good listening skills are a job requirement for a good lawyer, and Helene Fleisher has honed those skills through nearly twenty years of practicing employment law with Kathleen Bogas. She will listen to you carefully before offering her best advice.

Helene graduated from Oakland University with honors in 1980, and graduated cum laude from Wayne State University Law School in 1983. She was research attorney to the Honorable Robert L. Templin, Oakland County Circuit Court, for two years before beginning her career in litigation. Prior to joining Kathy, Helene worked in corporate and commercial litigation. Helene has been associated with Kathy since 1989, first writing appeal briefs, and then concentrating her practice on employment law and personal injury. She has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1983. Helene has an extensive background in evaluating claims.

In her off hours, Helene loves to travel, hike mountains, and take walks with her rescue dog, Keno, as well as socialize with friends and visit casinos.