Grant Wins Federal Police Case After Lengthy Litigation

Greg Grant of the Traverse City Office defended an Upper Peninsula sheriff’s deputy in a case that lasted 5½ years with multiple Sixth Circuit appeals. The plaintiff was visiting her husband, an inmate in a Michigan prison, when she claimed she was falsely accused of passing contraband during a kiss. As a consequence, the plaintiff’s vehicle was searched and marijuana was discovered. Later, more marijuana was found in her hotel room after she consented to the search. She was charged with drug possession and her prison visitation rights were permanently revoked.

In 2017, the plaintiff sued Mr. Grant’s client and two other officers from different municipalities.  She alleged federal claims of unlawful search and seizure, excessive force, false arrest, and denial of her right to intimate association. After several dispositive motions and appeals, the Sixth Circuit ultimately held that Mr. Grant’s client was entitled to qualified immunity and dismissed all claims against him. Doug Curlew of the Livonia Office handled all of the appeals.

Greg Grant is a partner in our Traverse City office where he concentrates his practice on municipal law, employment and labor law, insurance defense, and litigation. He has extensive litigation experience in the areas of employment and labor law, police liability, first amendment law, due process, Open Meetings Act (OMA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and has earned dismissals in each of these areas. Additionally, he frequently provides educational and training seminars on municipal topics to clients. He may be reached at (231) 922-1888 or ggrant@cmda-law.com.