CMDA’s attorneys are highly versatile. While a few focus on niche areas, most practice across multiple disciplines—bringing a broader perspective to the clients they serve. Partner Kevin Campbell and associate Daniel El-Sibai of the Livonia office are strong examples. Kevin focuses on appellate work, and Daniel on civil defense, yet both also contribute to the firm’s sports law practice. Last fall, we shared that Kevin attended a roast honoring longtime CMDA client Ike Blessitt. A […]

With a readership of 25 million, POLITICO is considered one of the top three news sources for politics among people ages 21-50. This week, CMDA equity partner Jim Acho was interviewed by the online magazine on the NFL’s Rooney Rule being challenged by the State of Florida.  If you are interested in the subject, below is the article: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/23/florida-nfl-rooney-rule-diversity-uthmeier-flores-00887872    James “Jim” Acho is an equity partner/shareholder in our Livonia […]

CMDA’s switchboard doesn’t usually light up after one of CMDA partner Jim Acho’s radio appearances, but today it did. Numerous people called in or emailed to say “Thanks for saying what needed to be said!” Give a listen to Jim today on WJR’s acclaimed Paul W. Smith Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/president-trump-holds-college-sports-roundtable/id707508884?i=1000754061479   James “Jim” Acho is an equity partner/shareholder in our Livonia office. He was named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Leader In […]

Daniel W. Ferris, a partner in the Firm’s Riverside, CA office, attended the Southern California ReLIEF (SCR) 2026 Annual Conference in Rancho Mirage, CA from January 22-24. CMDA was pleased to be a sponsor of the Conference. SCR is a premier property and liability program for K-12 public school districts across southern California, and CMDA is proud to serve on their Attorney Panel. Seminar topics included an overview of the […]

CMDA Attorneys Matthew Cross and Neal Wilds recently obtained a dismissal for their clients in U.S. District Court. The case involved a pre-trial detainee who alleged violations of his First and Fourteenth Amendment Rights during his detention within a county jail. The detainee claimed he was retaliated against by jail officials for requesting notary services and claimed he was threatened and received inadequate treatment within the jail, in violation of […]

CMDA is proud to announce that Alexander R. Karana has been selected to the 2026 Illinois Rising Stars List by Super Lawyers in the Intellectual Property practice area category. This is the third consecutive year that he has been named to the list. Alexander is an accomplished Intellectual Property attorney and is admitted to practice law in Illinois and Michigan. As a registered patent attorney, he brings a deep technical […]

John Gwyn, an attorney in the Firm’s Livonia office, attended the 2026 Community Association Institute Law Seminar in San Diego, CA from January 14-16, hosted by the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). Seminar topics included discussions on recent trends in state legislation that restrict or prohibit associations from regulating solar energy and other energy-efficient and environmentally conscious innovations in their communities; a nationwide overview of law enforcement compliance risks […]

Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho is pleased to announce that Jim Acho has been named an Equity Partner/Shareholder of the Firm. Jim joined the Firm in 2000 as an associate attorney and was elected a partner of the Firm in 2015. He is a strong and effective leader who has continuously contributed to the growth of the Firm over the past 25 years and has won cases of significant import […]

In the modern economy, innovation doesn’t stop at national borders — and neither should your protection. Whether your product is manufactured overseas, sold globally, or marketed online, securing a U.S. patent is only the beginning. This article explains how a U.S. provisional or non-provisional application can become the foundation for worldwide patent protection under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), how timing works, and why startups and growing businesses should plan […]

Introduction If you’ve ever tried to name a business, product, or creative project, you’ve probably run into this familiar frustration: every idea you love already seems to exist. You search the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database, find a conflict, and suddenly the naming process feels less creative and more demoralizing. But here’s the truth: you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Even the most iconic […]