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PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS
Tried extensive number of civil trials as assistant city/township attorney for cities of Lowell, Rockford, Hudsonville and multiple townships in Southwestern Michigan.
Defended wide and varied array of insurance defense actions in medical, ERISA, automotive, industrial and railroad contexts.
Caused dismissal of civil rights class action brought against national auto rental company in Wayne County Circuit Court (Detroit) based upon failure of class counsel to serve proper class notice to her own clients.
Settled claim in federal court against national banking client based on alleged mishandling of depository funds for nuisance value during jury deliberations.
Forced extremely favorable settlement in $67 million automotive sales dispute involving frame assembly system productivity, computer production modeling and nation wide discovery.
Obtained swift return of 100% of funds embezzled from Michigan based publishing company client by bookkeeper.
Secured favorable resolution of contentious trust action in Wexford County Probate Court for family claiming breach of fiduciary duty and fraud against physician trustee and ward of family matriarch.
Successfully defended federal action against automotive paint manufacturer based on allegations of misrepresentation and breach of contract relating to closure of an authorized distributorship.
Compelled judicial closure of million tire storage facility and junk yard for municipal client after bench trial in Berrien County in case tried on nuisance and zoning theories.
Represented plaintiff as lead counsel in pro bono civil rights jury trial for violation of constitutional prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment seeking $1.8 million in damages for failure to treat an inmate's ruptured Achilles tendon.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
Aetna Life Insurance Company
Budget Rent-A-Car
Coachmen Industries, Inc.
Dow Chemical Company
E.I. du pont Nemours and Company
Gulf Stream Coach, Inc.
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Keystone RV Company
Monaco Coach Corporation
Pfizer/Specialty Minerals, Inc.
UNOVA Industrial Automation Systems, Inc.
Wells Fargo, N.A.
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Automotive
Banking & Financial Services
Business Crimes
Class Action
Employee Dishonesty & Fraud Loss Recovery
Employee Dishonesty & Fraud Loss Recovery
ERISA Litigation
Estate & Trust
Real Estate
Uniform Commercial Code
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Defense Research Institute, Diversity Committee
Grand Rapids Bar Association, Diversity Committee
State Bar of Michigan, Litigation Section, Executive Council
Michigan Defense Trial Council, Regional Membership Chair
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veteran related causes
Notre Dame Club of Grand Rapids, Board Member
Ave Maria Law School, Board of Visitors
Minority Business Council, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Events Committee
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Enforceability of Agreements to Arbitrate ERISA Claims, Mich. Def. Q., April 2007
Presentation at the National Business Institute: Document Retention Policies and Considerations - Fundamentals of Effective Development and Implementation (2006)
Michigan Securities Law, in Michigan Business Torts 9 (2d ed. 2003)
Winning the Battle of the Forms, MiBiz West: MiBiz Southwest, September 2003
EXPERIENCE
Officer, United States Marine Corps, 1989-1997 - Navy Achievement Medal for service as forward observer in Northern Iraq and in Mediterranean Sea - Awarded New York State Conspicuous Service Cross for service in Operations Desert Shield and Provide Comfort
EDUCATION
Villanova University, B.A. 1989 (cum laude)
University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D. 1996
Saint Athanatius Debating Society
Hispanic Law Students Association | 