Litigation: General Commercial: Michigan

THE FIRM This highly experienced litigation team is especially renowned for its involvement in high-profile legal malpractice defense, real estate litigation and class action lawsuits. The lawyers' expertise also encompasses antitrust, employment and IP matters. The group recently advised clients in a number of fraud cases involving income tax. Key clients include GM, CMS Energy and Hayes Lemmerz International.

Sources say: "A fine firm with a terrific quality of work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sharon Woods is considered a "top-notch litigator" by sources, with one client saying that "her strongest skill is recognizing the personal needs and concerns of the client and responding to those in an objective yet compassionate manner." Woods receives widespread praise for her involvement in professional malpractice and construction litigation.

Highly respected litigator Eugene Driker is recognized by peers as "an icon of the profession." In addition to representing clients in antitrust and contract cases, he also serves as an arbitrator and a mediator in commercial disputes.

THE FIRM This group of talented trial lawyers is adept in handling a wide range of litigation matters, including white-collar defense, shareholder issues, antitrust cases and IP disputes. The team also has a significant appellate practice, acting for clients in both federal and state courts. Clients include JPMorgan, The Taubman Company and Target.

Sources say: "A firm with many good litigators."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department cochair Norman Ankers is "definitely a go-to for litigation," say clients, who particularly praise his astute business sense. He is highly experienced in handling securities, shareholder and class action defense work.

Joseph Aviv is "exacting in his analysis, articulate and persuasive," according to clients. He concentrates on securities and class action cases, as well as bet-the-company matters.

Securities and corporate governance litigation group cochair Raymond Henney is well respected for his class action and securities expertise.

Richard Zuckerman has a healthy reputation for white-collar work and is skilled in representing clients in tax, securities fraud and antitrust cases. Recent highlights include acting as principal counsel in a multimillion-dollar tax case.

I W Winsten is considered an "outstanding trial lawyer" who is "always very well prepared, smart and hardworking." He is known for handling a diverse range of cases relating to the automotive, banking and real estate sectors.

THE FIRM This leading practice group's wealth of knowledge spans IP, real estate, securities litigation, white-collar defense and class actions. The team has a visible presence in the automotive industry, counting a number of significant original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)and Tier 1 suppliers as clients, and impressing peers with its product liability defense expertise. Clients include Ford, Volkswagen and Comerica Bank.

Sources say: "A very strong firm which is deep in talent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Leading trial lawyer Thomas Cranmer divides his practice between white-collar criminal defense work and commercial litigation. He recently handled a significant patent infringement case, and has also been involved in ERISA pension fund litigation. Sources note that "he does this work at an extremely high level."

Clarence Pozza is considered "an outstanding lawyer" by sources, and is widely acknowledged for his expertise in securities and insurance litigation.

Carl von Ende is skilled in antitrust, IP and corporate governance matters. He also serves as an arbitrator and mediator in commercial disputes.

New entry Matthew Leitman earns recognition as an "excellent attorney" in white-collar crime cases. He also handles criminal defense and civil commercial litigation.

THE FIRM This team advises a range of clients, including financial institutions, franchisors and automotive manufacturers and suppliers. Areas of expertise include class actions, antitrust, IP and real estate disputes, and the team is also particularly skilled in handling litigation for healthcare-related companies such as Sparton Medical Systems and Health Plan of Michigan.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dennis Levasseur is noted as a skilled negotiator, whose "greatest strength is his ability to get to the heart of the dispute." He is particularly well known for his experience in handling healthcare-related litigation.

Clients seek Joseph Shannon's expertise for construction litigation and matters relating to the automotive sector.

Thomas Tallerico is knowledgeable in the areas of professional liability, antitrust and securities. Clients praise the way in which "he applies his decades of experience to our issues in a timely, practical and thorough manner."

THE FIRM This litigation boutique acts for both national and international companies on a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including personal injury, real estate, employment and product liability. The team is best known for its work relating to the automotive industry on behalf of automotive suppliers in supply chain disputes. Notable clients include the University of Michigan and William Beaumont Hospital.

Sources say: "A very good firm with fine lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Professional liability defense litigator Keefe Brooks is described as "a fine lawyer" by commentators. He is also noted for his expertise in securities litigation and insurance disputes.

Edward Kronk is well regarded for his representation of automotive suppliers and product liability defense work. Interviewees say that "he presents honestly, fairly and vigorously, and has good judgment." 

Dan Sharkey is involved in a significant amount of automotive supplier work, and is also adept at handling class actions, creditors' rights matters and construction cases.

THE FIRM This firm maintains a strong reputation for patent and trademark litigation, shareholder disputes, antitrust cases and white-collar criminal investigations. The team is also very active in class action defense work, recently representing Blue Cross Blue Shield in a lawsuit involving breach of fiduciary duties claims. Other names on the team's prestigious client portfolio include Bank of America and Magna International.

Sources say: "Excellent litigators who do top-notch work for major companies."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Edward Pappas is considered "a fine trial lawyer" and is also a highly respected arbitrator. His areas of expertise include real estate litigation, trade secret and noncompete matters. He has recently advised Ford, Dow Chemical and Enbridge Energy.

Highly respected lawyer Thomas McNeill handles major securities and class action disputes. He is highly respected by interviewees, who describe him as "very bright with good courtroom presence."

Clients say class actions expert Kathleen Lang "does an outstanding job – she is smart, accessible, practical and funny, and a real pleasure to work with." She is also active in product liability litigation.

Kenneth McIntyre is praised for his antitrust expertise and class action work, and well known for his involvement in automotive matters. He recently defended Ford against trade secrets, fraud and breach of contract claims brought by a supplier.

THE FIRM Dykema Gossett's comprehensive litigation team is widely known for its representation of clients in contract disputes, trade secrets disputes and class action defense. The lawyers also represent healthcare companies, hospitals and medical practitioners in professional liability cases. Major clients include Ford, Compuware and BP America.

Sources say: "A very good firm with a truly national practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources regard James Feeney as "a fine trial lawyer." He is recognized both nationally and locally for his product liability defense expertise.

Dennis Haffey's broad practice covers general business litigation, fiduciary duty matters and professional liability claims.

Patrick Hickey maintains his reputation as "a very skilled litigator" with expertise in labor and employment issues. He is active in noncompete and trade secret cases, and also handles employment discrimination claims.

THE FIRM This practice is particularly active in litigation relating to the automotive sector, with notable expertise in handling supply chain disruption cases. The group is also known for handling environmental litigation, in addition to its involvement in insurance litigation, product liability cases and advertising and marketing disputes. Recent highlights include defending Whirlpool against false advertising claims brought by LG.

Sources say: "An excellent and highly regarded firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Douglas Dozeman has considerable experience in handling patent infringement matters. His expertise also extends to representing clients in cases involving idea misappropriation, breach of contract and unfair competition claims.

Richard Kay is a prominent trial lawyer specializing in IP matters. He also acts for clients in product liability and construction cases.

THE FIRM This firm is best known for its expertise in product liability litigation and for representing prestigious automotive clients including Ford and Toyota. The team is also involved in other commercial matters, including IP and construction cases. Notable highlights include successfully defending Yamaha against product liability and negligent design claims.

Sources say: "A very fine product liability defense firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Branigan is a well-respected trial lawyer with extensive expertise in product liability defense work. He also represents clients in cases involving trade secret and breach of contract issues. "He is very insightful and thorough," say clients. 

THE FIRM Butzel Long's litigators handle a range of disputes, including IP cases, product liability litigation and class actions. The team also includes a number of white-collar specialists who focus on antitrust, securities fraud and government and healthcare investigations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David DuMouchel is considered "the dean of the white-collar defense bar in Michigan." His practice covers criminal IRS investigations and criminal healthcare matters. 

THE FIRM This practice covers contract, employment, insurance and real estate disputes, and also has expertise in class actions and tax matters. The lawyers are particularly noted for their extensive experience in representing hospitals and healthcare providers in litigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jon Muth earns praise from commentators as "an outstanding lawyer with a very high reputation." He is also considered a leading mediator and arbitrator, and has handled a wide range of disputes.

THE FIRM This 23-strong practice group handles a variety of commercial litigation matters, including white-collar criminal defense, shareholder disputes and personal injury claims. The team has particular strength in legal, medical and other professional malpractice work. Key clients include Michigan Professional Insurance Exchange and Metropolitan Health.

Sources say: "The lawyers have the expertise of larger firms and take more practical approaches."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department chair Paul McCarthy's practice concentrates on complex litigation and business valuation, including shareholder disputes and liability matters.

Bruce Neckers is a respected mediator and trial lawyer with extensive experience in handling complex commercial and personal injury litigation.

THE FIRM This established firm is known for insurance defense, product liability and professional malpractice litigation. The lawyers' expertise also covers construction, personal injury and governmental disputes. The group has handled matters for a range of clients, including Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Charlevoix State Bank and MPIE.

Sources say: "The firm has a wide variety of expertise and is well respected in Michigan."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Oostema specializes in representing law firms and lawyers in legal malpractice litigation. His expertise also covers commercial and insurance matters.