CMDA’s attorneys are highly versatile. While a few focus on niche areas, most practice across multiple areas—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 […]

We pointed out in a recent post that CMDA partner Jim Acho, a nationally respected sports attorney, appeared in Detroit to speak to clients for Lions Alumni Weekend. It was pointed out to Mr. Acho that this fall, Jim celebrates 25 years as legal counsel to the Detroit Chapters of the NFL Alumni and NFL Players Association. Jim was initially retained back in the fall 2000 by then-chapter presidents, ex-Lions […]

Every week in every NFL city, each team has an Alumni weekend where former players come in from out of town. A player usually goes in a ring of honor that weekend, and this year was no different as Robert Porcher went into the Lions Ring of Honor. Many former players came in for the festivities. Several ex-Lions requested CMDA partner Jim Acho be present. These sorts of weekends give […]

CMDA is proud to announce that several attorneys from our Firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. The following attorneys have been selected to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list: Jim Acho, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense Joel Ashton, Top Rated Personal Injury Defense Jeff Clark, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal Tim Ferrand, Top Rated State, Class Action & Mass […]

CMDA partner Jim Acho received a call on Saturday–the type of call he is receiving too often these days–that the greatest offensive lineman ever produced by the City of Detroit (HOFers Joe DeLamielleure and Reggie McKenzie were from Center Line and Highland Park) passed away last night after dinner with his family. Luis Sharpe was 66. Said Jim Acho, “Luis was a terrific guy whom I admired because he bounced […]

CMDA partner Jim Acho is in his 25th year appearing on “The Great Voice of The Great Lakes,” superstation WJR (760 AM) as a legal analyst on sports law issues. Beginning Thanksgiving week in 2000, when the late Frank Beckmann first had Jim on, Mr. Acho has gone on to appear more than 50 times on a variety of WJR shows to discuss sports law issues of the day. Today […]

Jim Acho was quoted on the passing of Ex-Detroit Lions Bill Cottrell in the April 2, 2025 Detroit Free Press article: Ex-Detroit Lions OL Bill Cottrell, NFL’s first Black center, dies at 80.    

Last week, a federal jury in Detroit returned a no cause verdict in favor of Jim Acho’s client after a 5-day trial. The case is Jacob Branham v. City of Allen Park PD, et al. The City, PD, police officer and Wayne County prosecutor were all dismissed on motion for summary judgment on qualified immunity. However, the individual private citizen defendant was forced to trial without the availability of that immunity. Trial […]