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PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS
Obtained summary judgment, upheld on appeal, in favor of insurance client against $3.5 million claim involving misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition and fraud.
Successfully represented manufacturer of agricultural equipment in arbitration against $54 million claim by terminated dealer.
As lead trial counsel, secured favorable resolution of contentious will contest case in Barry County Probate Court involving multi-million dollar estate.
As lead appellate counsel for an international financial institution, obtained reversal of trial court judgment awarding substantial damages and secured priority rights as against another lender to collateral supporting defaulted commercial loan.
As co-counsel, obtained $4 million jury verdict for seller of manufacturing facilities in three-week trial involving breach of warranty.
Successfully represented large insurers in numerous ERISA and non-ERISA benefits actions in trial court and on appeal.
As co-counsel, obtained summary dismissal of $100 million claim asserted against manufacturer of cryogenic freezing and recovery system.
Served as lead and co-trial counsel for large telecommunications client in numerous regulatory cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission and in state court, and handled matters involving MPSC approval of rates and related cost studies.
Represented various Michigan and national lenders in breach of contract, lender liability and mortgage foreclosure actions.
Prevailed in defense of start-up company in unfair competition/trade secret case and obtained ultimate dismissal of claims after defeating motion for injunctive relief.
Successfully represented individuals, professional firms, manufacturing and insurance companies in full range of business tort litigation involving non-compete agreements, trade secrets, tortious interference and usurpation of corporate opportunity.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
AGCO Corporation
Aetna Life Insurance Company
AT&T Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Magna International Inc.
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
John Hancock Life Insurance Company
Universal Insurance Services Inc.
UNUM Group
Wells Fargo, N.A.
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Appellate Litigation
Banking & Financial Services
Business Torts
Distribution & Dealer
Distribution & Dealer
Distribution & Dealer
ERISA Litigation
Franchise
Insurance
Regulatory & Administrative Law
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
State Bar of Michigan, Character and Fitness Committee
Federal Bar Association
Grand Rapids Bar Association, Membership Committee
National Association of Women Corporate Counsel, Member
American Inns of Court of West Michigan
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Grand Rapids Civic Theater, Board of Directors
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Board of Directors
City of Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission, Chair
Grand Rapids Symphony Women's Committee, Board of Directors
DeVos Children's Hospital/Children's Miracle Network, Cabinet
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
"Winning Arbitration" (September, 2008), ICLE Partnership Seminars
"The Truth About Arbitration Revealed" (September, 2007), ICLE's Litigation Bootcamp
Contributing author, "Breach of Fiduciary Duty" in Michigan Business Torts, Pappas, McNeill and Quick (ICLE 2003, 2007)
EDUCATION
University of Michigan, B.A 1988(summa cum laude)
Notre Dame University Law School, J.D. 1992 | 