The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (the Federal Appeals Court which includes Michigan) recently reviewed the firing of a male funeral home director transitioning to female. Ms. Stephens was fired after she advised the funeral home owner, Mr. Rost, that she was intending to live as a woman including utilizing a female name, dressing in women’s clothing and using the women’s restroom. Litigation was filed against the funeral home by […]

Shane R. Nolan joined our Firm as an attorney in our Livonia office. An experienced litigator at both the trial court and appellate levels, he maintains a primary focus on the defense of liability lawsuits on behalf of insurance companies, self-insured corporations, businesses and municipal entities in a wide variety of civil litigation, including Michigan No-Fault claims (PIP, automobile negligence, uninsured/underinsured motorist), as well as premises liability, general liability and […]

We are pleased to announce that Ryan Miller has been elected a Partner at CMDA. Mr. Miller joined the Firm in 2011 and works out of our Riverside, CA office. Chris Schultz, managing partner, explains, “Ryan is an exceptional attorney who produces a great work product and maintains excellent relations with clients and co-workers. He has proven to be a strong and effective leader since taking over the responsibility of […]

It is with great sorrow that we share the sad news of the passing of our equity partner Tim Young peacefully in his sleep this week. We will miss his wise counsel and friendship. May he Rest In Peace.

Beginning in 2018 in Michigan, all companies with no unclaimed property will be required to file a zero or negative report. Under Michigan’s Unclaimed Property Act, anyone holding unclaimed property of another must report such property as abandoned to the State of Michigan under a process known as escheats. Therefore, a bank holding money for a depositor over a number of years, which determines the property is abandoned, must turn […]

Curt Benson, an attorney in our Grand Rapids office, hosts a popular syndicated radio program, The Lawyers, which airs on Newsradio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM.  On the program, Mr. Benson interviews professors, judges, lawyers and lawmakers on legal issues in the news. He recently sat down with Gene Richards, a partner in our Livonia office, to discuss a variety of estate planning and elder law issues, legal updates, and […]

At the recent Securities Exchange Commission and Department of Justice Enforcement and Litigation Update Conference, speakers included the Director of the SEC Regional Office, Chicago, The Chief of the White Collar Unit of the US Attorney’s Office, Detroit, the Detroit Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI, as well as in-house counsel for local businesses. Much of the discussion was about the rise of cyber crime. The FBI agent said “There […]

They say “laughter is the best medicine,” and it’s true. Studies show that laughing boosts immunity, eases anxiety and stress, improves mood, and decreases pain. Socially, laughing strengthens relationships. In addition to the value of humor in our personal lives, we cannot underestimate the power of humor at work. Humor increases our ability to persuade others and helps us diffuse conflict. In simple terms: laughing feels good, and because of […]

It’s a travesty when the court process designed to protect seniors is manipulated by unscrupulous professionals for personal profit. Without immediate, aggressive advocacy a person can be stripped of all legal rights in less than 30 minutes at a court hearing. Admittedly, it is appropriate for a judge to appoint a conservator or guardian if an individual cannot make decisions or needs to be protected, but it should only happen […]

Jim Acho, a partner in our Livonia office, was quoted in the latest issue of the New York Times publication Law360 Magazine regarding the legal aspects of the NFL player protests taking place during the national anthem.  While NFL rules may empower the league and its teams to punish players for actions the league and teams don’t like, there are federal, state and local laws, as well as individual contracts […]