People > Office: Grand Rapids

Currently represents the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in connection with investigations arising out of the Flint water crisis.

Represented Michigan Sugar Company in multiple class action lawsuits related to alleged nuisance odors from processing facilities, getting all claims dismissed in each case (See, e.g., Detroit Free Press article: Residents lose decision in odor lawsuit against Michigan Sugar (freep.com)).

Regularly litigates and arbitrates global supply chain warranty/recall matters spanning complex discovery and technical issues across North America, and is routinely involved in obtaining or defending against temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions for manufacturers (dozens of matters).

Regularly litigates matters for agricultural clients, including contract, regulatory, and employment matters.

Successfully litigated and resolved development dispute for owners of Cadillac Junction, a 500-acre development in Cadillac, Michigan, against efforts by Clam Lake and Haring Townships to block development through the use of an Act 425 Agreement.

Successfully litigated and resolved Township moratorium that was adopted to prevent development of RV-resort on Grand Traverse Bay.

Represented financing company in a series of lawsuits against dealers and administrators of vehicle service contracts brought in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and obtained a summary judgment in excess of $10 million and additional settlements exceeding $10 million.

Represented former owner of Dr. Pepper, Snapple and Squirt products in a series of income tax related suits against the United States Department of Justice, as well as related litigation, and in separate cases obtained a jury verdict in excess of $4 million, a bench verdict in excess of $3.5 million, and an $8.5 million settlement. The jury verdict was upheld by the 6th Circuit in a published opinion and was hailed by Forbes as one of the top ten tax cases of the year in 2014.

Armstrong International v Rexnord (arbitration). Represented Armstrong in Chicago arbitration involving UCC contract dispute including Armstrong’s claim for payment of $1.5 million in parts and defense of Rexnord’s contract damage claim for $2 million.

Edward M. Walder, et al v Independent Bank Corporation, et al (Cook County, Illinois, County Department Case No. 05-L-003318); Independent Bank Corporation, et al v Edward M. Walder, et al (State of Michigan, Judicial Circuit Case No. 05-M-24114-CZ). Represented bank in related cases in Illinois and Michigan involving multimillion dollar claims by the bank for indemnification for accounting improprieties against sellers of premium finance company. Defended suit brought by sellers of company alleging millions of dollars in damages for failure to pay earnout and alleged improper application of GAAP. Settlement of both cases resulted in client receiving millions in damages.