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The Alumni Citation Award, established in 1969, recognizes contributions to society through professional, civic and philanthropic work. After graduating from Mansfield with a B.S. in history, Givens earned his Juris doctorate from Howard University in 1971. He joined the Detroit law firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. in 1971, and became a principal in the firm in 1978. Givens served as CEO from 1991-94 and as the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group leader from 1982-92 and 1995-2004.
As a well-known labor law attorney, his vast experience encompasses all facets of labor and employment law and school law, including unfair labor practices, organizing campaigns, secondary boycotts, jurisdictional disputes, negotiating and administering CBAs, arbitrations, employment discrimination, unemployment, mediation and wrongful discharge. Givens holds membership in numerous organizations including the American Bar Association, the Michigan Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association.
Givens was honored by Corp! magazine in June 1999 as one of “Southeastern Michigan's 10 Best Lawyers for 1999,” and by Crain's Detroit Business as one of Metro Detroit's “Most Influential Black Business Leaders” in March 1998. He is listed in the Labor and Employment Law Section of the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 editions of The Best Lawyers in America, and in the Labor and Employment Law Section of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2003-04, 2004 and 2005 editions.
In 2003, Givens was inducted as a Fellow into the prestigious College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. This coveted honor is the highest recognition by one's colleagues of sustained outstanding performance in profession, exemplifying integrity, dedication and excellence. A visible presence in civic affairs, Givens serves as a board member for Homes for Black Children, The Nature Conservancy of Michigan, the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, and is a former member of the Detroit Regional Chamber. He resides in Troy, MI.