Overview
James “Jim” Acho is a partner in our Livonia office. He was named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Leader In The Law” for 2024, among the most prestigious independent honor an attorney in Michigan can receive.
Mr. Acho, a nationally respected sports law attorney, has been representing retired MLB players and current and retired NFL players in pension/disability/medical benefits/concussion issues for nearly 25 years. He has appeared more than 100 times on national and local sports radio shows over the years to discuss sports law issues and has been quoted in periodicals such the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Sports Illustrated. In 2010, The Sporting News said Jim has “quietly become one of the most respected sports attorneys in the country.”
In January 2015, in recognition for the work he has done on behalf of retired NFL players, a large and prominent group of respected NFL Hall of Fame players and retirees nominated Jim to run for the position of National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Executive Director. In 2017 and 2018, he made national news when he settled Pro Football Hall of Famers Gale Sayers and Pat Summerall’s concussion lawsuits. In 2024, Jim again made national news when he filed an NIL class action against the NCAA, the first lawsuit of its kind. He has also carved out a reputation for successfully representing police in excessive force cases and in employment litigation.
For 14 years, Mr. Acho was the professor of sports law at Madonna University before retiring from the position. He left as the highest-rated adjunct professor in school history by student reviews and is still sought after as a public speaker/guest lecturer.
Practice Groups
Appeals and LitigationEmployment and Labor LawLaw Enforcement Defense and LitigationMunicipal LawEducation
Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 2000
St. Francis College, B.A., 1993
Honors
2024 Leader in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Top Rated Lawyer in Labor and Employment Law, DBusiness Magazine, 2023
Michigan Super Lawyer, Top Rated Civil Litigation Attorney, 2018-2024 
Michigan Super Lawyer, Top Rated Employment Law Attorney, 2017 Avvo, Superb Rating – 10/10
Top Rated Lawyer in Entertainment and Sports, DBusiness Magazine, 2013
Federal Court Pro Bono Award, USDC, Eastern District, 2006, 2007
Three year letterman and co-captain men’s basketball, St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, IN (1989-1993)
In the Media
Jim Acho Honored at Leaders in the Law Award Ceremony
Jim Acho Guest At Premier For New Detroit Lions Book, October 21, 2024
Jim Acho — WJR The Paul W. Smith Show Radio Show podcast, September 11, 2024
Jim Acho — WJR Guy Gordon, Jamie Edmonds and Lloyd Jackson Show podcast, September 11, 2024
ESPN: Ex- Michigan stars file $50M NIL lawsuit vs. NCAA, Big Ten Network, September 10, 20234
Jim Acho mentioned on CBS’ The Jim Rome Show- July 13, 2023
Jim Acho Interviewed by SABR for their July National Annual Conference- July 10, 2023
Acho quoted in article re: Motion won on behalf of Prosecutor- February 6, 2023
I Came Out Punching, Michigan Super Lawyers, September, 2022
Sports law attorney Jim Acho on Brian Flores’ lawsuit, KMOX The Voice of St. Louis, February 4, 2022
Interview with Jim Acho, Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law, February 3, 2020
“Emboldened’ N.F.L. Players Value Health Over Paychecks- The New York Times, November 13, 2019
Attorney Jim Acho Discusses Barney v. Happy’s Lawsuit — WJR’s Paul W. Smith Show, November 13, 2018
Jim Acho Defends City of Warren — WDIV-TV, February 21, 2018
Jury Rules for Officers after Excessive Force Claim — Michigan Lawyers Weekly, November 27, 2017
Debilitated Players Accuse NFL of Stalling on Settlement Payments — NY Times, November 13, 2017
Acho Featured on Sports Radio/Quoted in Article Regarding Ezekiel Elliott Suspension
Jim Acho Speaks at 60th Anniversary Tribute for 1957 Detroit Lions
Jim Acho Retained by Lapeer County to Represent County in Counter Lawsuit Against Sitting Judge
Brandan Hallaq Successfully Handles MLB Pension issue For Acho Client
CMDA Client’s TV Show Picked Up
Acho Speaks at NFL Alumni Annual Event
Acho Guest Speaker at NFLPA Detroit Meeting
Acho Represents County, Former Prosecutor in Lawsuit, The County Press, July 23, 2017
Acho Appears on WJR’s Frank Beckmann Show to Discuss NLRB Ruling Against the NCAA, February 6, 2017
Late appeal sends NFL concussion case to Supreme Court — ESPN, August 31, 2016
A Sidebar with James R. Acho, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, April 25, 2016
“Livonia Attorney Fighting For Concussion Settlements From The NFL”, CBS Detroit, March 23, 2016
“Michigan attorney eyes NFLPA’s top job”, Sports Illustrated
“Acho kicks off NFLPA campaign”, The Chaldean News
“Is USF Alum Next NFLPA Boss?”, Ft. Wayne News Sentinel
“NFLPA Chief Smith running against multiple candidates”, Bleacher Report
In NFLPA Race, Drama Different than in 2009″ –Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal
“Acho on final ballot NFLPA election”, Detroit Free Press
“Final ballot set for NFLPA Director election”, ESPN
“Acho loses NFLPA election”, Detroit Free Press
“NFL legend claims discrimination”, NBC WDIV
“Ex-NFL star sues NFLPA,” Grand Rapids Press
“MLB forgot about these players”, New York Times
“Former players denied pensions take on MLB”, Newark Star Eagle
“Eagles draft pick Graham cleared of charge”, Philadelphia Inquirer
“Steelers Foote awarded $1.2 million in valet scam”, ESPN
“Acho went to bat for former players”, Detroit Legal News
“Attorney Jim Acho On Northwestern Players Unionizing”, ESPN Radio, 101FM, St. Louis
“NFL Insider James Acho on potential lockout”- Average Joe Sports Show, WKNR 850am Cleveland
“Sports Attorney Jimmy Acho This Week’s Guest” – Sklarbro Country
Acho Appears on Radio Shows to Discuss NLRB Ruling Against NCAA
Acho Attends Ohio State Legends Dinner for UM-OSU Week
Acho Gives Keynote Address at Alma Mater’s Basketball Tip-Off Gala
Acho Quoted on ESPN.com regarding NFL Concussion Case
Acho Featured in MiLW “Sidebar of the Week”
CBS Detroit Article Highlights Acho’s Involvement in Helping Retired NFL Players
Acho Gives Opening Remarks at NFLPA Annual Meeting
Acho Keynote Speaker at Sports and Entertainment Law Symposium
In the Wake of Two Recent Rulings, Attorneys Offer Advice to Law Enforcement on Avoiding Liability
Attorney Jim Acho Predicts NLRB Ruling on College Athletes’ Unions
Chaldean American Bar Association Highlights Acho’s Achievements
Acho’s Run for NFLPA Executive Director Position Ends
Acho Secures Nominations for NFLPA Executive Position
Update: Attorney Jim Acho Nominated to Run for Executive Director of NFL Players Association
Attorney Jim Acho Nominated to Run for Executive Director of NFL Players Association
Attorney Gets Case Against Circuit Court Judge, County Prosecutor Dismissed
Attorneys Present Seminar on Litigation Avoidance to Police Department
Jim Acho Featured in Detroit Legal News
Attorney Guest on Blessed 2 Play Show
EEOC Releases Guidelines for Religious Dress and Grooming in the Workplace
Attorney Recognized by the NFL Alumni Detroit Chapter
Employers Need To Be Mindful of Anti-Retaliation Policy
Attorney Represents Former Detroit Lions in Negotiations
Jim Acho Named 2013 dBusiness Top Lawyer
Acho Provides Insight on Concussion Lawsuits in Michigan Lawyers Weekly article
Acho Added to University Lecture Series on Sports Law
Listen to Acho on the Frank Beckmann Show
Will There be an NFL Season in 2011?
CMDA Attorney Attends Congressional Hearing on Behalf of Retired NFL Players
Acho Presents Client for Induction into Pride of the Lions
Memberships and Associations
Knights of Columbus, 1st Degree Knight
Catholic Lawyers Society
State Bar of Michigan
Madonna University, adjunct faculty member and professor of Sports Law 4100, 2009-2022
Chaldean-American Bar Association, Board of Directors 2002-2007
CYO football, basketball, softball coach, 2002-2015
Representative Cases
*This is a sample of the types of cases Jim handles, with some of his more notable victories noted here.
The NFL Concussion Class Action
Jim was and remains one of the legal counsel in this action. Individually Jim has represented 36 retired NFL players. Of the first 20 claims filed by Jim against the NFL, he won the first 18 claims outright and the next two he won on appeal. CMDA has obtained millions of dollars for retired NFL players and continues to represent retired players in this case. Jim and CMDA handle these cases on a 20% contingency fee and has done so since the beginning of the NFL concussion litigation — out of respect for retired players, Jim handled these at a reduced rate (when some other firms were handling them at 40%) because CMDA views these cases as akin to worker’s compensation.
The MLB Pension Class Action
Fazio, et al v Major League Baseball (Los Angeles District Court; 9th Circuit United States Court of Appeals)
The case Jim is most known for involved suing Major League Baseball (MLB) on behalf of roughly 1,500 retired MLB players who played from 1949-1980 and had been denied pensions and medical benefits. Jim handled the case as lead counsel with a prominent firm in Los Angeles. The case was featured on ESPN Outside The Lines, HBO Real Sports, CNN and every major newspaper in America, with Jim featured in many on-air segments and written pieces. The case took the better part of a decade to litigate and adjudicate. It took a decade, but MLB eventually agreed to pay the class Jim Acho represented $10,000 per player for two years as recognition for the contribution to the game. The final total amount of compensation to the retired players was roughly $20,000,000. *Update: MLB agreed to continue to annual payments to the players in the class until they pass.
$7,500,000
Commercial Breach of Contract Case (Plaintiff)
Jim was lead counsel throughout the discovery and litigation phase of this case in Wayne County Circuit Court. Confidentiality precludes a recitation of facts or identifying the parties. CMDA’s client was compensated $7,500,000 upon settlement of the case.
$1,250,000
Sexual Harassment (Plaintiff)
Jim represented a female HR Director of a major steel company who was sexually harassed by the company’s owner and later terminated from her $120,000 job. Plaintiff suffered serious emotional damages. Jim was lead counsel on this case. A Wayne County Circuit Court Judge awarded CMDA’s client $1,250,000.
$500,000
Age Discrimination (Plaintiff)
Jim represented two bank tellers, each of whom had 25-30 years’ service with the Defendant bank. Both were terminated within weeks of each other and given no explanation why except for “cutbacks.” Both clients were replaced with women half their age and half their salary soon afterwards. Jim was lead counsel on this Washtenaw County Circuit Court case. The case settled for $500,000.
$780,000
Wrongful Termination (Plaintiff)
Jim represented a terminated CFO of a tech company in Los Angeles. A new CEO terminated the CFO after more than 20 years of dedicated service, and CMDA believed his ouster was discriminatory. Jim settled this case pre-lawsuit in February, 2024 for $780,000.
$450,000
Sexual Assault (Plaintiff)
Jane Doe vs. Weathervane Apartments
Jim represented plaintiff, a woman sexually assaulted at an apartment complex in Macomb County. The apartment complex had been placed on notice about a premises defect but did not take corrective action. Plaintiff was sexually assaulted shortly thereafter. Jim settled the case after discovery in December, 2023 for $450,000.
$450,000
Fraud (Plaintiff)
Oakland County vs. New Creations, Inc.
Jim represented Oakland County’s Community Mental Health against a vendor in a fraud case. Jim was lead counsel on this Oakland County Circuit Court case. The case settled for $450,000.
$365,000
Auto Negligence (Plaintiff)
Jim represented a woman who suffered serious injuries to her arm and shoulder when t-boned by a young driver who was texting. Jim was lead counsel on this Oakland County Circuit Court case. The case settled for $365,000.
No Cause Negligence (Defense)
Hanover (Citizens as Subrogee) v. Lakeshore Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Total claim by Plaintiff at trial: $2,000,000. Final demand to settle: $950,000. Jim defended an HVAC installer and his company in a subrogation case where a fire was of undetermined cause, but Plaintiff’s fire loss expert opined the fire was due to Defendants’ negligence. Jim was lead counsel on this Alpena County case and tried this case over two weeks before a jury in Alpena County Circuit Court. The jury came back with a no-cause ($0 award to the Plaintiff) in favor of Jim’s client.
No Cause (Defense)
Embezzlement/Fraud
Total claim by Plaintiff at trial: $300,000. Final demand to settle: $150,000. Jim represented a former treasurer of a foundation accused of embezzlement, though never charged by the police. This civil bench trial in Livingston County Circuit Court resulted in a no cause ($0 award to the Plaintiff) in favor of Jim’s client.
NFL Alumni and NFL Players Association -Detroit Chapters
Since 2001, Jim has handled numerous matters for hundreds of NFL alumni in Detroit and throughout the country as counsel for the NFL Alumni Association. In 2015 he was nominated by retired players to run the NFL Players Association, a race Jim nearly won against the incumbent. Multiple NFL-related cases of Jim’s have been scrutinized by legal experts, such that Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal has referred to Jim as “one of America’s most tenacious and respected sports law attorneys.”
Redford Township and Garden City Prosecuting Attorney 2000-2005
Jim prosecuted misdemeanor cases at the municipal level for five years for both the Charter Township of Redford and the City of Garden City.
Police Liability Defense
Jim has successfully represented multiple local police departments in actions stemming from excessive use of force to denial of constitutional protections for more than 15 years. Jim also routinely gives presentations and speeches to police and fire departments. Of note, five former police and fire chiefs have gone on to hire Jim personally to represent family members.
Jurisdiction and Court Admissions
Michigan State Courts
Michigan Court of Appeals
Michigan Supreme Court
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Sixth Circuit United States Court of Appeals (Cincinnati, OH)
Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals (San Francisco, CA)
United States Supreme Court (Washington, DC)
Practice Groups
Appeals and Litigation Employment and Labor Law Law Enforcement Defense and Litigation Municipal LawEducation
Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 2000
St. Francis College, B.A., 1993
Honors
2024 Leader in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Top Rated Lawyer in Labor and Employment Law, DBusiness Magazine, 2023
Michigan Super Lawyer, Top Rated Civil Litigation Attorney, 2018-2024
Michigan Super Lawyer, Top Rated Employment Law Attorney, 2017 Avvo, Superb Rating – 10/10Top Rated Lawyer in Entertainment and Sports, DBusiness Magazine, 2013
Federal Court Pro Bono Award, USDC, Eastern District, 2006, 2007
Three year letterman and co-captain men’s basketball, St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, IN (1989-1993)