Insurance Defense
We are proud to have one of Michigan’s largest insurance defense practices, serving Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 insurance companies.
Our team is dedicated to providing full-service insurance defense, handling a wide range of claims and litigation. We specialize in first- and third-party auto accident litigation, premises liability, general negligence, medical malpractice, and professional liability. Additionally, we offer robust defense in trucking, commercial, and contractual matters, ensuring comprehensive protection for clients across diverse industries.
Our insurance defense team has built its reputation on success in first- and third-party litigation under Michigan’s No-Fault Act. We defend a wide range of claims, including first-party actions for medical expenses, third-party actions for pain and suffering, and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims for residual damages. Our attorneys have consistently achieved “no-cause” verdicts, even in cases with clear liability or significant exposure.
We are deeply familiar with the evolving nature of the Michigan No-Fault Act, providing national clients with informed coverage opinions and legal analysis. Whether handling disputes pre-suit through thorough claim investigations or managing litigation, we are well-equipped to navigate complex issues such as claim priority and interpretation of the No-Fault Act, ensuring our clients’ best interests are protected at every stage.
A hallmark of our practice is our relentless pursuit of fraud and misrepresentation in insurance claims. Partnering with governmental agencies and the special investigations departments of client carriers, we have conducted in-depth research into fraudulent schemes, medical provider networks, and illicit payback arrangements involving medical providers and plaintiffs’ attorneys.
Our approach is proactive and aggressive: we take the offensive to dismantle these schemes. This strategy has led to numerous victories, including dismissals of claims against providers who are now the subject of federal lawsuits. Our track record of success reflects our commitment to protecting our clients and holding fraudulent actors accountable.
Defending companies, individuals, and carriers against negligence claims is a cornerstone of our practice. In these cases, plaintiffs must establish key elements: a duty owed and a breach stemming from that duty. Our team meticulously investigates every fact to challenge their ability to meet these legal standards.
When representing individuals and businesses, we take the time to understand your operations, livelihood, and lifestyle. This personalized approach allows us to advocate effectively on your behalf and maintain clear, meaningful communication throughout the process.
With recent updates to the No-Fault Act’s priority scheme (MCL 500.3114), we are well-equipped to manage claims assigned to our insurance carrier clients by the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP), as well as claims involving the Plan itself. These cases often present intricate challenges, such as disputes over vehicle ownership, family relationships, and other priority-related issues.
Additionally, with pedestrians now claiming benefits from the MACP, these matters frequently involve significant injuries. Our team applies a thorough and strategic approach to address the complexities of these claims, ensuring we achieve favorable outcomes for our clients.
We have extensive experience assisting clients with severe injury claims, including cases involving exposure in the millions due to significant injuries, prolonged hospitalizations, and extensive treatments. Successfully defending these high-stakes claims requires a meticulous, fact-driven approach—a skill our team has honed through years of practice.
Our attorneys excel at identifying critical defenses and leveraging them to secure dismissals or favorable resolutions, providing our clients with the confidence and results they need in complex, high-exposure cases.
Our team has extensive experience defending homeowners, businesses, and other entities against high-value slip-and-fall and premises liability claims. These cases often involve allegations that a defect on your property caused an injury.
We have a proven track record of defeating such claims, whether through successful trial advocacy or early resolution via motions for summary disposition. By leveraging the unique legal standards governing premises liability, we craft effective strategies to protect our clients and achieve favorable outcomes.
Our litigators are skilled in handling all types of property damage or loss claims, including those arising from fire, flood, explosion, theft, vandalism, and more. We bring extensive experience to every stage of the process, from analyzing and identifying key issues to recommending actionable strategies, conducting Examinations and Statements Under Oath, and delivering final recommendations and determinations.
Whether dealing with suspicious landlord claims, high-value thefts, or challenging insureds and repeat offenders, we are equipped to tackle the most complex property damage cases with precision and expertise.
Defending cities, municipalities, and the insurers of governmental entities requires deep expertise across multiple areas of law. Cases often involve complex issues such as governmental immunity, civil rights and constitutional law, nuisance, premises liability, intentional torts (e.g., assault and battery), environmental claims, and wrongful convictions.
Our team zealously defends governmental entities against a broad range of allegations, including police misconduct, police brutality, constitutional and civil rights violations, wrongful incarceration, motor vehicle accidents involving government vehicles, slip-and-falls, nuisance claims, sewer backups, and environmental disputes. Many cases implicate multiple areas of law, making specialized knowledge and strategic coordination essential.
Whether securing summary judgment based on governmental immunity or defending multi-million-dollar claims of wrongful incarceration at trial, we deliver aggressive and cost-effective representation. Our mission is to protect cities, municipalities, police departments, and other governmental employees with unwavering dedication and proven results.
Michigan malpractice law imposes unique and often complex requirements for bringing and defending claims. Our team has the expertise to navigate these legal intricacies and leverage them to the advantage of our healthcare professional clients. To succeed, plaintiffs must meet strict legal standards by proving the applicable standard of care, a breach of that standard, proximate cause, and damages.
We zealously defend doctors and other healthcare professionals by holding plaintiffs accountable to these burdens of proof. Our approach includes collaborating closely with clients to “learn the medicine,” developing tailored defense strategies, and effectively cross-examining plaintiffs’ experts.
We recognize that even the most frivolous malpractice claim can be deeply traumatic. As both advocates and counselors, we strive to make the process as smooth and “pain-free” as possible, supporting our clients every step of the way.
Responding to licensure complaints in Michigan presents unique challenges, particularly for healthcare professionals. Unlike other states, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) does not initially reduce complaints to writing. Instead, LARA investigators contact the professional directly, requesting an interview while often withholding the identity of the complainant and the nature of the allegations under the guise of confidentiality. This approach leaves healthcare professionals vulnerable and unprepared for what can become a high-stakes interrogation.
Hiring an experienced attorney before engaging with LARA is essential. Without proper representation, statements made during the interview may be treated as admissions, potentially leading to disciplinary action.
Our team is adept at guiding healthcare professionals through this process. We prepare clients thoroughly for interviews and work to secure dismissals of licensing actions before formal, written complaints are filed. If disciplinary proceedings escalate, we provide aggressive and strategic representation to protect our clients’ licenses, careers, and reputations
Liquor license holders face significant legal exposure when accused of selling alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated individuals. However, determining impairment at the time of sale is often challenging, especially in the fast-paced environments of restaurants, bars, or retail stores.
In Michigan, the Dramshop Act provides the exclusive remedy for claims involving the illegal sale of alcohol. This area of law is highly specialized and can be a legal minefield for those without experience. Our skilled team is deeply familiar with liquor liability law and adept at navigating these complex cases.
We vigorously defend liquor licensees by leveraging unique defenses and engaging expert toxicologists and pharmacologists to provide critical testimony. Whether the goal is to mitigate exposure or secure a complete dismissal, we are committed to protecting our clients’ businesses and reputations.
Our workers’ compensation practice spans a wide range of services, including handling appeals in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court, resolving both litigated and non-litigated claims, and protecting clients from no-fault and third-party liens. With our extensive experience, we provide strategic and effective representation tailored to meet the unique challenges of workers’ compensation cases.
