Mike joined BSD&D in 1994, after trying a number of high-profile and complex cases during his near 14 years with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. He became a member of the firm in 1997. Since joining BSD&D, Mike has litigated a wide variety of civil cases, including employment discrimination suits, "stray voltage" claims made by farmers against utilities, wrongful death cases, contract disputes and other business torts, environmental cases, and will contests. In addition to his own case load, he frequently assists others by taking on opposing expert witnesses.

Representative Cases
"Stray Voltage" Work :
Has defended electric and gas utilities in many "stray voltage" cases in Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin.

Obtained "no cause of action" jury verdict representing an electrical utility in "stray voltage" trial, and award of $295,000 in mediation sanctions from plaintiff farmers whose claims had been aired on "60 Minutes." Both verdict and mediation award were sustained by Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court.

Convinced Michigan Court of Appeals to reverse trial court and grant summary disposition in favor of utility where farmers tried to define their way around statute of limitations in "stray voltage" case.

Forced plaintiff claiming personal injury from "stray voltage" to dismiss his case with prejudice, in the face of inevitable dismissal by trial court and related costs.

Employment Cases :
Convinced a United States District Court judge to grant summary judgment in an age discrimination, handicap discrimination, and retaliatory discharge case brought by 56 year-old plaintiff who was discharged upon return from 6-month medical leave for diabetes and polyneuropathy; and then convinced the Sixth Circuit to affirm that ruling.

Despite allegedly biased comments by department chair, obtained order granting summary disposition of religious and national origin discrimination claims by assistant professor denied tenure by major university, based on finding that actual decision-makers were unaware of and not influenced by any such comments. This decision was affirmed on appeal.

In employment/wrongful death case, successfully argued motion to exclude evidence that alleged job-related stresses caused plaintiffs' decedent to develop ultimately fatal cancer and/or aggravated its progression. The trial court rejected the testimony of plaintiffs' nationally recognized psychiatrist, and ruled that this evidence did not meet the standards for admissibility under either Frye or Rule 702. This lead to summary disposition of the wrongful death claims, and substantially reduced the client's damages exposure.

Obtained dismissal of race and sex discrimination claims against employer. Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal and reversed trial court's decision to not require that plaintiff pay defendant's costs and attorney fees.

Commerical Litigation :
Persuaded United States District Court Judge to grant summary judgment for defendant in case of breach of commercial lease for a newly constructed warehouse.

Assisted in proving massive document fraud in major commercial dispute, leading to dismissal of case and imposition of nearly $4,000,000 in discovery sanctions and interest.

Prior Career as Assistant Prosecutor:
In final case as an assistant prosecutor, involving over 150 lay and expert witnesses and taking over more than 3 months, successfully obtained jury conviction of "Highland Park Serial Killer" on 11 counts of murder and 1 count of rape.

In 14 years as an assistant prosecutor, tried approximately 150 jury trials, and spent last 9 years handling high-publicity and/or complex cases.

Areas of Practice
Litigation
 
Bar Admissions
Michigan, 1979
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan (certified in Advanced Courtroom Technology and Electronic Evidence)
U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan

Education
B.A., University of Michigan, 1976

J.D., Wayne State University, 1979

In 1979, won United States Law Week Award for the Wayne State University Law School senior showing greatest academic improvement.

Teaching Experience
Has been invited to teach by prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, citizens' groups, and legal secretaries. Preparing for presentation on "stray voltage" litigation with nationally recognized electrical and animal behavior experts. Gave presentation on Michigan's law on "junk science" in seminar for Michigan attorneys in Arizona in April 2003.

Professional Affiliations
Admitted to the State Bar of Michigan (1979), and to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and United States District Courts for the Eastern District and Western District of Michigan.

Member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Metropolitan Detroit Bar Association, and Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers.

Civic Organization
Volunteer--MELL Program, educating against drug abuse in Detroit Public Schools

Representative Publications
Prosecutorial Discovery in Michigan: Balancing the Scales of Justice , 5 Wayne County Criminal Law Review 39 (1992)