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First chaired more than 20 federal and state bench and jury trials: and argued over 25 cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Court of Appeals.
Represented large insurers in dozens of ERISA benefits actions in trial court and on appeal and represented insurers in dozens of bench and jury trials, and on appeal, with respect to non-ERISA benefits litigation.
Obtained dismissal of federal class action against Northwest Airlines, Inc. in litigation challenging frequent flyer program valued at $301 Million.
Successfully represented multi-national baby food manufacturer in $98 Million distributorship termination, business tort and antitrust action brought by Polish distributor in the London Court of International Arbitration in London, England.
Represented French pharmaceutical manufacturer in action over the sale of Japanese drug patents.
Represented on appeal, and obtained reversal for, large multi-national advertising agency against which had been entered judgment of $21 Million.
Represented in the Michigan Supreme Court, and obtained reversal for, Central Transportation, Inc. whose tortious interference claims against union officials had been dismissed by the trial court and affirmed by the Court of Appeals.
Represented in the Michigan Supreme Court, and obtained reversal for, client whose multi-million dollar business tort claims concerning sale of Bob-Lo Island had been dismissed by the trial court and affirmed by the Court of Appeals.
Represented guardian ad litem for Rosa Parks in the Sixth Circuit in an action against the band Ludacris for defamation/false light.
Obtained treble damages and attorney fees in federal Lanham Act action against terminated franchisee, affirmed by the Sixth Circuit in a published opinion.
Obtained judgment in federal trial for Parrish & Heimbecker, Inc., one of Canada's largest agricultural corporations, in an action against CSX Transportation involving improper railway transportation surcharges and business destruction.
Represented in Michigan trial and appellate courts one of Michigan's largest shooting ranges in an action by Green Oak Township and several individuals to enjoin its operation, resulting in the invalidation of local noise ordinances on constitutional grounds.
Prevailed at trial and on appeal in federal ERISA breach of fiduciary duty action brought against Yazaki North America, Inc.
Obtained dismissal of federal ERISA class action claims against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan challenging its basic methodology for hospital reimbursement.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
AIG/American General
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Ford Motor Company
Northwest Airlines, Inc.
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Parrish & Heimbecker, Inc.
Standard Life Insurance Co.
UNUM Group
Yazaki North America, Inc.
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Antitrust & Trade Regulation
Appellate Litigation
Business Torts
Distribution & Dealer
ERISA Litigation
Franchise
Insurance & Health Care
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow
Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, Life Member
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Local Rules Advisory Committee for the Eastern District of Michigan, Chairman.
Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Michigan, Co-Chairman of the Appellate Committee 2008-2009.
State Bar of Michigan, Past Council Member, Antitrust, Franchising and Trade Regulation Section.
Michigan State University College of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law (appellate practice).
EXPERIENCE
Law clerk to the Hon. Cornelia G. Kennedy, U.S. Court of Appeals or the Sixth Circuit, 1989-90
EDUCATION
Central Michigan University, B.S. 1986 (cum laude)
Phi Delta Kappa
Gilbert Rau Scholarship Award, Excellence in Competitive Academic Debate
Wayne State University Law School, J.D. 1989 (cum laude)
Editor-in-Chief, The Wayne Law Review
Jason L. Honigman Scholarship Award
Murphy Prize
Free Legal Aid Clinic.
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