Overview
Allan C. Vander Laan is an equity partner and member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. He works out of our Grand Rapids office and focuses his practice on insurance defense, municipal law, and employment and labor law.
Mr. Vander Laan represents municipalities and governmental agencies throughout Michigan in employment matters and civil rights cases, including constitutional claims arising under the First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Eighth Amendment and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution.
Additionally, Mr. Vander Laan has a wealth of experience with insurance matters, including arson and fraudulent claims investigation and defense, subrogation cases, wrongful death and major property damage, no-fault, and personal injury protection.
He frequently gives speeches and lectures to a variety of audiences on topics such as spoliation of evidence, arson investigations, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), updates in municipal law, and many others.
Education
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 1981
Calvin College, B.A., 1978
Honors
Michigan Super Lawyers, Top Rated State, Local and Municipal Attorney, 2014-2024 
Named to the Top 100: Michigan Super Lawyers List, 2000-2022 
Memberships and Associations
State Bar of Michigan
– Government Law Section
– Master Lawyers Section
Grand Rapids Bar Association (GRBA)
Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA)
International Association of Fraud Investigators
Insurance Alliance of Michigan (IAM)
DRI- The Voice of the Defense Bar
Presentations & Articles
“Use of Electronic Signatures by Community Mental Health Facilities,” CMDA On Law
“Medically Distinguishable Test Only Applies to Some Work Injuries,” CMDA On Law
“Jury Must Decide Fault Under the Impaired Plaintiff Penalty,” CMDA On Law
“Handicap Parking Placard Does Not Guarantee Protection Under the Americans with Disability Act,” CMDA On Law
“Supreme Court Rules Jury Must Decide Fault Under the Impaired Plaintiff Penalty” CMDA on Law
Speeches and Lectures
Presentation to the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators regarding Examinations Under Oath
Seminar presented to Mercury Insurance Company and Bristol West Insurance Company regarding Examinations Under Oath, Protecting the Claims File and Avoiding Bad Faith, the Attorney/Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine; the Dos and Don’ts of Arson and Fraud Investigation for the Insurance Professional and Preparing for your Deposition
Spoliation of Evidence, Presented to Insurance Adjusters and Attorneys
Examinations Under Oath: The War Against Arson, Presented to Insurance Adjusters and Attorneys
The Attorney/Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine, Presented to Insurance Adjusters and Attorneys
Representative Cases
Armstrong v Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department (United States District Court for the
Western District of Michigan 2007)
Mr. Vander Laan obtained a dismissal on behalf of the Defendants of this civil rights action. Plaintiff
alleged that Newaygo County had improperly impounded his property.
Cao v City of Portage (United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan 2004)
Mr. Vander Laan obtained summary judgment on behalf of the Defendants in this civil rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983. The Plaintiff alleged that the City of Portage and several of its officers were responsible for the death of her husband in a shootout with the police.
In Re: Flood Cases (Circuit Court for the County of Marquette 2006)
Mr. Vander Laan successfully obtained summary disposition for the Marquette Board of Light and Power. In this case, Plaintiff’s claimed the Marquette Board of Light and Power was one of several Defendants responsible for the failure of a dam which caused damage downstream in the amount of
One Hundred Million Dollars. Mr. Vander Laan’s client was the first Defendant to be granted summary disposition after he demonstrated that the Marquette Board of Light and Power was not a proprietary function and did not fit within any of the exceptions to governmental immunity.
Green Tree Servicing, LLC, et. al. v Muskegon County Solid Waste Facility and Muskegon County Board of Public Works (Circuit Court for the County of Muskegon 2006)
Mr. Vander Laan successfully obtained summary disposition for the Defendants on Plaintiff’ claim that Muskegon County Solid Waste Facility was responsible for the destruction of a mobile home.
Holmes v Osceola County Sheriff’s Department (Circuit Court for the County of Osceola 2003)
Mr. Vander Laan successfully obtained summary disposition for the Osceola County in a civil rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983. Plaintiff alleged false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The Court agreed that with Mr. Vander Laan’s argument that the officer made a good faith mistake in arresting the Plaintiff who fit the profile of an armed robber of a bank which had just taken place.
Lyons v Marquette Solid Waste Authority (Circuit Court for the County of Marquette 2003) Mr. Vander Laan successfully obtained summary disposition for the Defendants on Plaintiff’s
Whistle blower claim.
Murray-Ruhl v County of Shiawasee (United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan 2006)
Mr. Vander Laan successfully obtained summary judgment for the Defendants on Plaintiff’s claim that her son was wrongfully shot and killed by a police officer. The Court found the police officer acted in self defense.
Jurisdiction and Court Admissions
Michigan State Courts
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Education
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 1981
Calvin College, B.A., 1978
Honors
Michigan Super Lawyers, Top Rated State, Local and Municipal Attorney, 2014-2024
Named to the Top 100: Michigan Super Lawyers List, 2000-2022