United States District Court Judge Douglas Harpool granted Summary Judgment in a case handled by attorney Joseph Ramirez. The case was based on allegations of 42 U.S.C. §1983 civil conspiracy claims arising from an alleged unlawful arrest, unlawful search and seizure, unlawful use of excessive force, unlawful imprisonment, and excessive bail. Plaintiff alleged her injuries involved three Sheriff Deputies’ conspiracy to commit constitutional rights violations against her through alleged acts […]

The lawsuit against the City of Saginaw for “chalking” tires as part of the City’s parking enforcement continues. Previously, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that using chalk to mark the tire of a parked vehicle was a search under the Fourth Amendment. And now, the court has held that no warrantless search exceptions apply, so the case can still go forward. The City of […]

The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) hosted the first annual Regional Judicial Award Ceremony on May 21, 2021. Greg Grant, a partner in our Traverse City office and Regional Chair of the MDTC, was honored to present Hon. Kevin A. Eisenheimer with the Judicial Award. MDTC states, “13th Circuit Court Judge Kevin Elsenheimer has been a source of calm, pragmatic leadership to the northern Michigan bar. Judge Elsenheimer has managed […]

We are pleased to announce that Douglas Curlew and Shane Nolan have been elected partners at CMDA. Both attorneys are recognized for their ability to lead, manage, and develop the Firm through their professional skills, client relations, and work effort. “Doug has demonstrated excellence in the area of appellate law and has a very strong work ethic,” said Chris Schultz, managing partner. “With his academic approach, pragmatic writing style, and […]

Kristen Rewa, an attorney in our Grand Rapids office, was a presenter at the 35th Annual Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA) Advanced Institute Virtual Conference. She spoke to MAMA members on the complaint response process used by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), Michigan Civil Rights Commission and shared some best practices for municipal attorneys when assisting a municipality with a civil rights’ complaint. The participants enjoyed the […]

Access to state and local government meetings has been a hallmark of American democracy for most of our country’s history. All states have enacted open meetings laws that generally require municipalities and local agencies to provide advance notice to the public of meetings held by commissions, boards, tribunals, and councils. This includes a broad spectrum of entities, such as unemployment commissions, tax tribunals, and school boards. These statutes permit any […]

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 […]

We are pleased to announce that Greg Grant and Braeden Willoughby have been elected partners at CMDA. “In addition to being tremendous lawyers, they are both greatly admired for their unique achievements,” said Chris Schultz, managing partner. “Greg possesses outstanding legal skills and maintains exceptional relationships with his clients. Braeden has displayed excellent leadership qualities since joining CMDA. We recognize the work he has done for our clients and look […]

We are pleased to announce that Jeffrey R. Clark, a partner in our Livonia office, has been named one of America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators® in Michigan for 2019. Selection to America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the most exceptional Civil Defense Litigators throughout the nation. Candidates are selected based on a broad array of criteria, including professional experience, litigation […]

We are very pleased to announce that three attorneys have recently joined our Firm. David Kowalski is an attorney in our Clinton Township office where he focuses his practice on insurance defense, municipal law, appeals and litigation, and research. He has extensive litigation and appellate experience and has received favorable outcomes for clients before the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals. He authors briefs for submission to […]