robertm. howard
Attorney
616.392.1821
robert@cunninghamdalman.com
Fax: 616.392.7106
Assistant:
Janelle DeJonge
616.392.1821 Ext. 265
janelle@cunninghamdalman.com
Ordinance Prosecution Paralegal:
Yvette Mendoza
616-395-4264 Direct Line
yvette@cunninghamdalman.com
"It gives me great satisfaction to see my clients get the compensation they are due.”
Rob was raised in Port Huron before relocating to West Michigan in 1996 to begin his career as a police officer. After serving nearly 13 years on patrol, he returned to academia, earning his undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University and his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School. Today, Rob focuses his practice on employment law, representing clients in matters involving the FMLA, wage and hour disputes, non-compete agreements, discrimination claims, whistleblower actions, and sexual harassment cases. His personal injury practice encompasses cases ranging from dog bite incidents to severe motor vehicle collisions. Drawing on his extensive background in law enforcement, Rob also brings valuable insight and experience to his work in criminal defense.
Practice Areas
Education
- J.D., Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School – 2012, cum laude
- B.S., Political Science, Grand Valley State University, with honors
Professional Associations and Memberships
- USDC for the Western District of Michigan
- USDC for the Eastern District of Michigan
- Western District of Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Michigan Association for Justice
- Super Lawyers to 2021-2025 Rising Star
- Best Lawyers in America, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Cooperating Attorney for the Fair Housing Center of SW Michigan
- Cooperating Attorney for the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
- Grand Rapids Magazine Top Lawyers, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Grand Rapids Bar Association Labor and Employment section vice chair
- City of Holland Deputy City Attorney
Cases of Significance
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Many successful claims are resolved by confidential settlement, meaning the attorneys and parties are unable to share the details of the resolution. But some decisions are a matter of public record. Select cases are listed here.
- Hodges v 77 Grandville et al (2019) – recovered $225,000 in lost wages and damages for 27 servers and bartenders who were not paid for all hours worked and had tips improperly withheld from their wages. WZZM 13 Report
- Overstrom v City of Lansing (2022) – $250,000 award for a City employee who was fired after reporting possible employee license violations by the City’s Water Department.
- Thompson v Beacon Specialized Living (2020) – award of over $170,000 in damages for employee who was terminated following her reports of an unsafe work environment. It was determined she was a Whistleblower and her reports were the reason for her termination.
- Anderson v Haworth (2018) – verdict of over $140,000 in a racial discrimination claim for an African American employee who was not hired in directly from her temp position when less qualified and experienced white employees were.
- Kidd v Charter Communications (2016) – jury verdict of over $650,000 for an employee who was terminated for absences after taking time off to treat her multiple sclerosis under the FMLA.
- Award of $40,000 for a bartender who was terminated after reporting the employer for Liquor Control Commission violations.
- Recovered $50,000 for employee who was sexually harassed by her supervisor and promised a promotion if she complied with his demands.
- Recovered $30,000 for manager of a bar who was sexually assaulted by the owner of the bar/restaurant.
- Recovered $50,000 for an employee who reported a hostile work environment created by her manager and was terminated after that report. The manager was having an affair with another employee and pursuing our plaintiff.
- Recovered over $100,000 for an employee whose boss grabbed her breasts, butt, and frequently propositioned her. Employee was terminated after testifying about his behavior in an unrelated matter.
- Recovered $30,000 for an employee who was sexually assaulted by a coworker and fired following her report to management.
- Kimball v Ottawa County (2024) – recovered $225,000 for candidate for county employment who was rejected due to his age. MLive Report
- Recovery of $100,000 for juvenile victim of a dog bite to the face.
Hobbies and Community Activities
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When Rob isn’t practicing law, he devotes his time to his wife, Rachelle, and their seven children, whose ages range from 24 to 5. As a family, the Howards have embraced foster care as a personal mission, providing stability and care for children in West Michigan who need it most. That same sense of compassion and commitment carries into Rob’s legal practice, where he works tirelessly to support his clients through some of life’s most difficult challenges.
Rob also values balance and perspective. Whether it’s camping with his family, traveling, reading, or tackling home improvement projects (sometimes to completion, sometimes not), he finds ways to recharge and stay grounded. Before becoming an attorney, Rob built a wide range of life experience—working in retail, warehouses, appliance repair, restaurants, office management, and serving more than a decade as a police officer. This diverse background gives him a practical understanding of everyday people and the challenges they face, which his clients often find reassuring when navigating complex legal matters.
Attorney Articles
Sixth Circuit Affirms Broad Ministerial Exception in Pulsifer v. Westshore Christian Academy
Cunningham Dalman secured a big win for one of its clients in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Aaron Pulsifer v. Westshore Christian Academy, No. 24‑2092 (6th
Why Flat Fee Agreements Are a Smart Choice for Criminal Defense
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Michigan, the uncertainty ahead can feel daunting—especially when it comes to legal costs. At Cunningham Dalman, we
Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act: What Employers Should Know
As of today, Friday, February 21, 2025, Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) is scheduled to take effect. Guidance on the Act as currently written
