It is fairly common for an aging parent to add a child’s name (sometimes more than one child) as a joint owner on the parent’s bank accounts.  The arrangement is usually viewed as a simple and inexpensive solution to the concerns, such as someone needing to be able to pay bills when the parent is ill or hospitalized, funerals are expensive and money will be needed immediately, the account will […]

Greg Grant and Matt Cross, both attorneys in our Traverse City office, recently successfully defended a municipality and police officer against claims of false arrest/wrongful imprisonment and malicious prosecution. The key issue in the case was whether the officer had probable cause to arrest plaintiff for extortion. Finding that the officer had probable case, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of our clients, dismissing plaintiff’s federal claims in their […]

Haider Kazim and Matt Cross, both attorneys in our Traverse City office, recently successfully handled a case for a local municipality. The Court granted summary disposition dismissing plaintiff’s claims under the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA), holding that plaintiff was not engaged in activity protected under the WPA, and, to the extent she was, the County terminated her for legitimate reasons. Although the Court allowed plaintiff to amend her claim to […]

Matt Cross and Greg Grant, both attorneys in our Traverse City office, had a great time at the recent Grand Rapids Adjusters Association (GRAA) Roaring 20’s Vendor Night.  They enjoyed interacting with guests and sharing information on our Firm’s Insurance Defense practice group. Matt Cross concentrates his practice in the areas of insurance defense, business, entertainment law, law enforcement defense and litigation, and municipal law. Mr. Cross has experience handling […]

The CMDA Elder Law and Estate Planning team had a great time at the recent Metro Detroit Association of Health Underwriters (MDAHU) Medicare Summit and Expo.  Nearly 200 agents from throughout Michigan attended the seminar, which covered all aspects of the Medicare program. Gene Richards, a partner who focuses his practice on elder law and estate planning, was joined at the seminar by Rita Turner, a paralegal, and Dorene Mitchell, […]

Photo: Meghan R. Acho/CMDA Law Please click here to read an article in the Dallas Newsregarding Jim Acho recently filing a concussion claim on behalf of Pat Summerall.

CMDA invites you to attend a free educational workshop on Conquering the Challenges of Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans Benefits on Wednesday, September 19th at 10:30 a.m. at the Sterling Heights Senior Center. Attorney Gene Richards will share insights and practical strategies on how to qualify for government-funded, long-term care benefits and ways to avoid common mistakes that disqualify people from maximum Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans benefits. For more information on […]

CMDA is proud to announce that several attorneys from our Firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2018 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. The following attorneys have been selected to the 2018 Michigan Super Lawyers list:  Jim Acho, Top Rated Civil Litigation Jeff Clark, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal Haider Kazim, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal Allan Vander Laan, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal […]

Most parents know — in theory, at least — that their children are no longer children when they turn 18. They are considered legal adults with legal responsibilities. This is an abrupt transfer of power and the full significance may not be apparent until something happens that drives that reality home. The start of the school year is right around the corner, which means many recent high school graduates will […]

Ken Callicutt was a great college running back, Clemson’s MVP in 1976 and 1977, and MVP of The Senior Bowl in 1977. Unfortunately though, after being drafted by Detroit, Callicutt found himself behind a stable of highly-drafted, superbly-skilled running backs like Lawrence Gaines, Dexter Bussey, Horace King and Billy Sims. Callicutt and Rick Kane–talented backs in the own right–were forced to find other ways to contribute, and contribute Callicutt did […]