|
PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS
Prevailed in six-week jury trial on behalf of the Michigan Insurance Commissioner in case asserting fraud and constructive fraud claims against the officers and directors of a defunct Michigan property and casualty insurer.
Successfully defended in three-week jury trial individuals and their start-up company in a "bet the business" case brought by the individuals' former employer for alleged violations of non-compete agreements and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Successfully represented ballot question committee in suit seeking writ of mandamus against the Secretary of State challenging the placement on the November ballot of a proposal to substantially amend the Michigan Constitution.
Prevailed for global retailer in three-week bench trial, with the plaintiff landlords claims dismissed at the close of its proofs followed by the retailers full recovery on its counterclaim plus an award of attorneys fees.
Represented Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in two putative national class actions brought by physicians and other health care providers alleging a RICO conspiracy with regard to nonpayment of claims.
Secured summary judgment dismissing putative national class action brought against major insurer by policyholders asserting fraud and breach of contract.
Prevailed after two-week arbitration representing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in fraud/conversion claim against a third-party administrator and its principals.
Prevailed for local developer against municipality which sought in the eleventh hour to revoke prior approvals for construction of "big box" retail facility.
Represented numerous residential, commercial, and industrial developers in rezoning,site plan, special land use, variance, and infrastructure permit and approval matters.
Obtained injunctions on behalf of various securities firms preventing departed brokers from poaching clients in violation of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.
Represented various Michigan and national lenders in breach of contract and mortgage foreclosure actions.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
CenturyTel, Inc.
Continental Casualty Company (CNA)
Eyde Compan
Gillespie Group
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Kaftan Enterprises, Inc.
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Administrative & Regulatory
Business Torts
Class Actions
Condemnation & Land Use
Gaming
Insurance
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
American Inns of Court, Barrister (MSU Chapter)
Ingham County Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
East Lansing Youth Baseball, Manager
University of Michigan Alumni Association
Local Initiative Support Corporation (Local Advisory Committee 2004-06)
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
"Supreme Court Helps Insurance Companies Fight 'Blackmail' Settlements and Exorbitant Discovery Costs in Class Action Litigation" (2008), Defense Research Institute
Editor, Gaming Legal News (Bi-monthly newsletter)
"New Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: The 'Dos and Don'ts' of Electronic Discovery" (2007)
Contributing author, "Unfair Competition" (ch. 5) in Michigan Business Torts, Pappas, Quick and McNeill (ICLE 2003)
EDUCATION
University of Michigan, B.A. 1992
Temple University, J.D. 1995 (cum laude)
Political and Civil Rights Law Review
Clinical: Office of Philadelphia District Attorney
Nat N. Wolfsohn Memorial Award for Excellence in Real Property | 