A great man passed today, one of the finest men I ever knew—not just in football, but in life. He did more for me in my career than I can tell you and he did more quietly to help former players than I can say on here. He told it like it is. Blunt, direct, no BS about him. But a warm, generous spirit. Won a world championship in Cleveland […]

CMDA is proud to announce that several attorneys from our Firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. The following attorneys have been selected to the 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers list: Jim Acho, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense Jeff Clark, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal Tim Ferrand, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal Haider Kazim, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal […]

For nearly 20 years, CMDA partner Jim Acho has served as legal counsel to the Detroit chapter of the NFL Alumni Association. NFL Alumni Association President Pete Chryplewicz is a longtime client of Mr. Acho, as are numerous ex-Lions. At the annual dinners, Jim often speaks and provides retired NFL players with updates or changes in the law as it affects retired player benefits. This year’s dinner was held at […]

If you have visited CMDA partner Jim Acho’s office, you have no doubt seen the framed Houston Astros game jersey on his wall. It was a gift from client J.R. Richard, legendary Houston Astros pitcher who unfortunately lost a short battle with Covid on Friday. Jim was invited to J.R.’s Astros Hall of Fame ceremony in 2019. Said Jim to Houston sports radio KFNC, “J.R. was a man who dealt […]

WJR’s own hall of famer, Frank Beckmann, who was in the audience, told his radio listeners the next day it was the funniest roast he had ever seen–live or on TV. Jim has been honored to represent Lem his entire 21 years as an attorney but moreover to call him a dear family friend.

  Rocky Rosema’s family sheds light on Grand Rapids football icon’s late-life struggles, MLive, May 20, 2021.  

Gale Sayers, one of the most iconic players in NFL history, died today, September 23, 2020, at age 77 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Gale’s concussion lawsuit against the NFL was successfully handled by Jim Acho, who represented Gale for the better part of a decade. Upon resolution of the case, Gale and Ardie Sayers presented Jim with a signed jersey. Jim has remained close to Ardie and the […]

Konschuh v. Turkelson, et al. (Lapeer County Circuit Court No. 17-050850-CL(H); Oakland County Circuit Court No. 17-SC0045-SC; Michigan Court of Appeals No. 349041) is a unique and highly-contentious case that involved a circuit court judge who filed suit against Lapeer County and several of its officials. Judge Byron Konschuh – who remains a sitting judge at the Lapeer County Circuit Court – was charged with embezzlement related charges for depositing […]

Jim Acho, a partner in our Livonia office is a sought-after interview subject on sports law topics. As a practitioner of sports law at CMDA and professor of sports law at Madonna University, Jim routinely speaks on radio shows and to newspapers on topics relating to the health and welfare of retired NFL and MLB players. As such, he has been interviewed by the New York Times several times. Most […]

Jim Acho, a partner in our Livonia office, was recently interviewed by Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law. Jim discusses his career in the industry, the NFL Players’ Association, and the future of collective bargaining and concussion lawsuits in the NFL. Jim Acho Interview: Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law