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Find Lawyers in Michigan, United States for Commercial Litigation
Practice Area Overview
Litigation increasingly occurs in various venues, from state and federal courts to private arbitrations and administrative hearings. Proceedings can involve business-to-business disputes or any number of government agencies. Understanding the motivations and outlook of each of the litigation participants is important for determining weak points to exploit and strong points that will persuade the audience in question. During the past decade, commercial litigators have seen a dramatic uptick in multidistrict and inter-disciplinary litigation, making the stakes higher, the cases more complex, the parties more numerous and the discovery more complicated and unwieldy. Firms that are able to develop and implement a creative legal approach to each individual problem, efficiently focus on the key legal and factual issues, and master and manage the various aspects of these complex matters will be the busiest in the years to come.
In the current challenging economic climate, commercial litigators are under increasing client pressure to keep costs in check, which has both sides testing the efficacy of alternative fee arrangements and the scope of reasonable discovery. Whether the “death of the billable hour” is ultimately realized, the keys to a commercial litigator’s success will continue to be strong client relationships, thought leadership, practical management skills, deep experience, and personal commitment.
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Steve Afendoulis is a partner and past chairman of the trial practice group. He is a trial and appellate advocate with a focus in the areas of complex commercial; partnership, shareholder and LLC disputes; personal injury; real estate; and trademark and unfair competition. He is a certified facilitative mediator and is trained in advanced alternative dispute resolution.
Mark sues insurance companies when they fail to pay claims. Varnum represents only insureds in these matters. Mark has helped shape the landscape of Michigan Insurance Law since 1985.He is regularly asked to speak on insurance issues for continuing legal education programs, and at other bar related activities. Mark is also Varnum's lead attorney in litigation matters dealing with employee benefit issues under ERISA. He has handled all facets of employee benefit litigation, from benefit claims...
John Below is a labor and employment and general business litigation attorney. His practice is concentrated in resolving employment, complex financial services and general commercial disputes. John aggressively solves problems and wins cases for his clients, which include, large employers in the construction and health care industries, regional and national banks, and major manufacturing and industrial companies. John partners with his clients and together, they forge and execute strategies f...
I help business leaders, house counsel, and individuals remove barriers to success by providing creative dispute resolution and transactional services. In addition to a national complex commercial litigation, mediation, and arbitration practice; I maintain an outside general counsel practice for individuals and business leaders who have varied legal needs. In the latter, I am aided by my experience handling business disputes across the country. I have been: - Recognized by Lawyers Weekly for ...
Daniel J. Broxup practices in the areas of commercial litigation and securities litigation and arbitration. He regularly litigates business disputes in state and federal courts, representing a diverse group of clients from industries such as auto manufacturing, construction, transportation, retail, banking, and finance. In addition, he represents victims of investment fraud and malpractice in state- and federal-court litigation and in arbitration proceedings administered by FINRA, AAA, and JA...
Jon is a commercial litigator with experience in litigation of supply chain disputes, asset purchase agreements, franchise agreements, and other business related litigation. Jon also has a substantial practice in securities dispute, including litigation and arbitration of securities and investor disputes, in which he has successfully represented investors and broker-dealers. His experience on sophisticated matters includes bringing cases to summary judgment, trial, and courts of appeal. Jon i...
Michael Costello concentrates his practice in commercial and corporate law and litigation. He provides his clients with deep expertise and insight into a broad range of legal and business issues having served for 23 years as general counsel to a publicly-traded company. Mr. Costello leverages this experience to provide efficient and effective counsel to large businesses in a variety of industries as well as high net worth individuals and their closely-held companies. He frequently advises boa...
Bruce, an experienced commercial litigator, represents clients of all sizes in trial and appellate courts throughout Michigan. A former president of the State Bar of Michigan, Bruce is also a court-approved mediator in the U.S. District Court and has served as an arbitrator for disputes involving insurance coverage issues, employment, and general business. Bruce’s expertise includes litigating, mediating and arbitrating complex disputes involving multimillion-dollar construction project...
Michelle Thurber Czapski serves as Chair of Bodman's Insurance Practice Group and Co-Chair of the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She has over three decades of experience representing major corporate clients in litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. She has successfully represented insurance and financial service companies, automotive and other product manufacturers, Tier-1 automotive suppliers, telecommunications companies, and pharmaceutical...
John M. DeVries, a native of Grand Rapids, practices in the areas of litigation in federal and state courts, oil, gas and water law, eminent domain and zoning law. John received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College and his law degree from the University of Michigan, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and Federal Bar Associations, the State Bar of Michigan, and is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference.
Ron has accumulated a vast amount of first chair trial experience. As an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami for seven years, he tried several large criminal cases. In his final year as a federal prosecutor, he served as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ron’s broad trial and litigation skills allow him to represent clients in diverse types of disputes in nearly any locale in the country. Since joining Varnum, Ron has tried and litigate...
Douglas A. Donnell graduated magna cum laude from Miami University with a bachelor's degree in Economics and received his law degree with honors from Boston College Law School. Doug specializes in environmental law and commercial litigation and has represented both public and private sector clients and individuals in these areas since 1979. He is a member of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section of the American Bar Association and the Environmental Law Section of the Michigan ...
Jim Dworman concentrates his practice on commercial and real estate litigation (including landlord/tenant and collections), appeals, business and entertainment law. He formerly was law clerk to the Honorable William R. Beasley of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Representative Matters Successful defense in jury trial of real estate fraud. Successful defense in jury trial of fraudulent loan and investment claims. Successful prosecution in jury trial of sale of industrial tooling/defense of breac...
Peter Ellsworth has a depth of experience in state administrative law and litigation; commercial litigation; public utility regulation; hospital and health care regulation; gaming; insurance; elections and campaign finance; administrative litigation and judicial appeals; and commercial regulatory matters. He has counseled property and casualty insurance companies in litigation over credit scoring and has counseled gubernatorial campaigns. He has drafted and defended the validity of constituti...
Mark Filipp, shareholder and director at Kemp Klein, has over 30 years of litigation experience. During his career he has been involved in a broad range of business disputes, with extensive experience defending companies in employment litigation cases filed in state and federal courts throughout Michigan, as well as employment claims before the EEOC and MDCR. He also has significant experience defending companies, directors, and officers against claims of shareholder oppression, breach of fid...
Bradley A. Fowler focuses his practice on municipal law, civil litigation, real estate, and zoning/land use issues. Brad has a wide range of experience in representing large corporations, small businesses, local governments, and individuals in commercial, real estate, construction, contract, and employment related disputes in both Federal and State Courts. He also counsels local governments on a number of municipal matters including governance issues, planning and community development, Const...
David J. Gass is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in a wide variety of complex commercial and general civil litigation in state and federal courts. He has a strong record of successful results. Mr. Gass’s litigation experience has been remarkably varied, but generally focuses on complex commercial cases. He has successfully tried many cases to judges, juries, and arbitration panels. His expertise is not confined to any specific subject area; rather, his expertise is in...
Faith Gaudaen helps businesses and families in conflict come to resolution. She has represented business owners in dispute, assisted families in disagreement over wills and trusts and coached companies through hiring, firing and a host of other employment issues. Her forte is managing conflict and guiding clients to resolution whether through the courts, arbitration, mediation or other conflict resolution. Business and Employment Conflict: Ms. Gaudaen helps companies from the start of operati...
Dan is a highly experienced attorney working primarily in the bankruptcy, workout, restructuring and finance-related world, where for more than 36 years he has represented lenders, borrowers, companies, and individuals in almost every kind of debtor-creditor related matter they might encounter. Along the way he’s handled all manner of bankruptcy cases, documented and restructured loans and other transactions, helped clients buy and sell companies, litigated insolvency related matters, a...
Trial attorney with extensive litigation experience in federal and state courts throughout Michigan and Illinois in the following substantive areas of law: Commercial Litigation, with particular experience and expertise in the areas of contract disputes, business torts, misappropriation of trade secrets, and non-competition agreements. Insurance Defense Litigation, with particular experience and expertise representing insurers in defense of claims related to life, health, disability and ERISA...
Mark Heusel is an experienced commercial business attorney and serves as the Chair of the Firm’s China/ASEAN Region Practice Group. He has more than 25 years of experience in representing multi-national companies in the manufacturing, retail and automotive industries. Mr. Heusel’s experience includes advising foreign companies in the areas of foreign direct investment in the United States, business formation, Greenfield investment, international trade, commercial transactional mat...
Rich is a partner in the trial law group where the focus of his practice is on construction law and litigation, business litigation, contracts and sports law. Rich has extensive experience with construction claims, complex business litigation and a variety of contract related matters. Rich's experience includes handling shareholder disputes, copyright and trademark litigation and licensing arrangements. He also has extensive experience representing sports and entertainment clients, and in per...
Richard (Dick) E. Hillary, II, is a member of Miller Johnson and has been practicing law since 1996. He is a commercial litigator. Mr. Hillary represents a wide variety of business entities and individuals; including hospitals, physician groups, large and small corporations, and individuals in all facets of litigation. Before joining Miller Johnson, Mr. Hillary served as law clerk for the Honorable William B. Murphy of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Health Care Reimbursement Mr. Hillary couns...
Experience Mr. Horton has been trying lawsuits for over 25 years. He primarily practices in the areas of business and commercial disputes, employment law, and real estate cases. Many cases are related to the automobile industry. Bill is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, the foremost national organization to certify trial skills. In business litigation, Bill has tried numerous shareholder disputes, claims of misappropriation of trade secrets, breach...
Brandon Hubbard is engaged in a broad litigation practice representing large institutions, middle market companies, and emerging businesses and their principals. Having been with Dickinson Wright for more than a decade, Brandon has material trial, litigation and arbitration experience, and is often called upon to handle our clients’ most hotly-contested matters (public and private). Industries and areas of practice have included private equity and asset purchases, mergers and acquisitio...
Neil P. Jansen received his bachelor's degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Michigan State University in 1984 and his law degree from Wayne State University in 1988, where he was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court team and Chancellor of the Moot Court Program. Neil practices in the areas of civil and real estate litigation, probate litigation, estate planning and eminent domain. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and American Bar Associations,...
Mr. Kemsley represents banks, financial institutions, mortgage lenders and servicers, and other corporations in complex business and corporate litigation, including the defense of class actions. Mr. Kemsley has defended individual and class cases involving claimed violations of state consumer protection and deceptive practices laws, and federal laws and regulations including truth-in-lending laws. He has defended many large law firms in cases involving claims of legal malpractice and other mi...
In Scott Knapp’s Business Litigation practice, he has represented clients in cases involving fraud, violations of non-compete agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of contract. He has represented Michigan’s largest health care company and insurance subsidiaries in many dozens of cases, including ERISA disputes and putative class actions brought by physicians and other health care providers; and has secured summary judgment dismissing a putative national class ac...
Dan's practice covers a wide range of commercial lawsuits. He is an analytical and forceful litigator. Dan has significant experience in handling commercial disputes including automotive purchasing, supplier disputes, construction defect cases, and computer software issues. He also has extensive experience in shareholder disputes in close corporations with related antitrust and business tort issues. Dan has also handled professional disciplinary matters, including representation of law firms ...
Kim Large's legal practice is diverse, ranging from family law to estate planning, as well as litigation. As a mom of two, Kim understands the challenges that her family law clients face, and she will be everything from a legal advocate to a sympathetic ear. Kim also finds her role as a wife and as a daughter of older parents that she can relate on a personal level to a number of issues that estate planning clients confront, and she is a passionate fighter for her business and individual clie...
Ross A. Leisman graduated with honors from Calvin College in 1984, and with honors from the University of Michigan Law School in 1988. Ross has served as chairman of the firm's Local Government Practice Group, has served on the firm's Management Committee and is a member of the Litigation Group. Ross specializes in civil litigation, bank disputes, land use and municipal law. He has served on several community boards, including the Kent County Building Authority, the Ada Township Planning Comm...
Mr. Lewiston specializes in a wide range of business litigation, formation, and negotiation. He has represented major sports franchises including The Detroit Lions and The Detroit Red Wings, as well as numerous business executives and their companies, law firms, and real estate developers. He has been involved in major antitrust action suits, recovering in excess of $50 million for his clients. He has served as a mediator/facilitator/lecturer in business matters throughout Michigan. For many ...
John works with business and health care clients, mainly helping them manage their relationships with their workers. This may involve developing contracts, bargaining agreements or benefit plans, guiding clients through the regulatory maze that now governs every aspect of the employment relationship, or handling investigations, arbitrations or litigation. He has extensive experience in complex commercial contract litigation and cases involving unfair competition, as well as defending class an...
Craig H. Lubben is a Member of the firm and has been practicing law since 1981. Mr. Lubben’s practice is focused on representing business entities, executives, medical professionals, and other individuals in commercial disputes in state and federal court and in various alternative dispute forums. Employment and Workplace Disputes Mr. Lubben possesses extensive experience representing employers in complex workforce controversies, including harassment, discrimination, breach of fiduciary ...
Jon G. March is a former Managing Member of the Firm. He is an experienced trial lawyer handling a wide variety of employment, commercial, construction, and general civil litigation. In addition to his trial practice, he is an experienced facilitative mediator and has successfully mediated to settlement hundreds of cases involving nearly every substantive area of the law. He completed the Harvard Law School Mediation Workshop in 1998. Mr. March is a Fellow of several distinguished law-related...
With a background in finance and accounting, and with specialized training in business valuation, Paul helps clients determine the value of privately held business interests, often in high-stakes, complex and (sometimes) contentious shareholder and family law disputes. Business valuation expertise is critical to his clients with respect to shareholder and governance issues, shareholders looking to exit companies who either have or lack liquidity rights, families in multi-generational business...
Todd is a highly-regarded legal advisor and courtroom advocate. He is especially admired by clients and colleagues for his solid practical judgment. Todd covers a wide range of commercial and business litigation. He has tried jury and bench trials in complex contract, attorney disqualification, misappropriation of trade secrets, federal tax, commodities brokerage, advertising discrimination, and civil rights cases. Todd also has experience in actions involving business torts, non-competition ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.