Litigation

Litigation is our most extensive practice area, involving every attorney at our firm. We tailor our approach to every case, taking into account each specific client's needs and goals. While we excel in the courtroom, we are always looking for creative resolutions that achieve our clients' goals in a cost-effective manner. We view litigation as an art, rather than a checklist.

Commercial and Business

In our commercial and business litigation practice, we have successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of disputes arising out of, among other things, contract disputes, business torts, real estate and leasing matters, banking and lending, employment relationships, and various commercial transactions.

Our philosophy is to lay the groundwork for trial successes even before we file a Complaint, and to begin planning for summary disposition before we ever file an Answer. Through our relentless and detail-oriented discovery strategies, we have leveraged highly favorable settlements in some cases with minimal time in the courtroom. In other cases, our expert motion practice has led to dismissals that have saved our clients from exposure to significant potential liability. We routinely try cases in courtrooms and in arbitration, and we are always prepared to effectively present our arguments in any forum. Our practice of meticulous preparation has led to significant verdicts and to highly favorable last-minute settlements for our clients, sometimes even in the middle of trial.

We pursue our clients’ interests in a variety of forums, including state courts, federal courts, probate courts and arbitrations, and we are also experienced in alternative methods of dispute resolution including mediation and facilitation. While our courtroom representation is vigorous, we recognize the value of certainty that arises out of carefully negotiated, well-considered and fair settlement of claims.

Corporate and Shareholder

Within the context of our litigation practice, our attorneys have spent years developing a highly specialized practice representing shareholders, and members or partners in closely held businesses. With the lack of any ready market for such ownership interests, and the frequency with which the sale of such interests is restricted, disputes among owners of closely held businesses present unique problems. Our attorneys have substantial experience representing minority ownership interests that have been treated unfairly, and the firm has achieved a large number of favorable results in favor of minority owners. We remain on the cutting edge of law governing disputes among owners of closely held businesses, through research, scholarship, and active litigation matters.

Our keen understanding of laws governing the relationships between owners in closely held businesses allows us to counsel clients as to all aspects of those relationships. We also represent majority ownership interests faced with obstruction or revolt by unreasonable minority shareholders. Our attorneys are experienced at assisting directors and officers in achieving corporate objectives through methods that do not infringe on the rights of minority ownership interests.

Directors, officers, employees, and controlling owners of business entities are often subject to strict fiduciary duties. Our attorneys have developed significant expertise regarding corporate governance matters in the context of closely held business entities. We routinely litigate fiduciary matters relating to corporate governance, whether between co-owners, between owners and management, or between entities and employees. We have substantial experience in holding corporate fiduciaries to the strict level of responsibility inherent in their roles as officers, directors, employees, partners, controlling shareholders or managing members of business entities.

Construction and Real Estate

Our attorneys have a broad range of experience in construction and real estate litigation. We have represented parties in large-scale construction defect actions, real property ownership disputes, commercial foreclosures, construction lien actions, zoning disputes, and other real property actions. In 2006, the firm obtained a significant settlement (terms confidential) in a construction defect action on behalf of over 50 homeowners in an Oakland County Subdivision. In 2009, the firm obtained a $1.8 million dollar settlement from a title insurer on behalf of a client whose real property was fraudulently converted.

We have significant experience representing financial institutions in loan workouts, litigation, and foreclosure involving commercial and residential real estate developers. We have also represented clients in mold and other environmental cases involving allegations of building contamination.

Class Actions

When large groups are affected by common injuries that cannot be individually litigated in a cost-effective or efficient manner, class action litigation can be the only means to redress wide-reaching wrongful conduct. Our attorneys are experienced in managing large-scale and complex class action litigation, often proceeding concurrently in multiple states across the country. We bring class action litigation in situations where numerous individuals have experienced real suffering, and we do not settle cases unless responsible parties take meaningful action to address improper or wrongful conduct. We also defend companies wrongfully targeted by unfair or inappropriate class action litigation.

In 2008, the firm prevailed in the United States Supreme Court against big tobacco in the case of Altria v. Good, in which the high Court held that the plaintiff’s claims were not preempted by FTC regulations. In 2009, the firm obtained a $1 million settlement against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, for the insurer’s wrongful refusal to pay for the care of autistic children. And in 2010, the firm obtained court approval for an $18 million settlement against the largest waste disposal company in North America, Waste Management, and significant injunctive relief requiring it to remediate odor at a landfill in Lenox Township.

Patent and Intellectual Property Litigation

In today's marketplace, intellectual property is more important than ever before. We represent inventors and licensees whose intellectual property rights have been infringed upon by others, and we also defend businesses that have been wrongfully accused of patent or trademark infringement. If you or your business become involved in a dispute over intellectual property rights, our trial attorneys can assist you in obtaining an excellent result.