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November 14 ,2025
Butzel attorney Beth S. Gotthelf has been named to Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Leaders in Sustainability list. Gotthelf is Butzel’s director of Innovation and External Relations, co-chair of the Energy & Sustainability Practice, and chair of the Aerospace & Defense Industry Team.
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Butzel attorney Beth S. Gotthelf has been named to
Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Leaders in Sustainability list.
Gotthelf is Butzel’s director of Innovation and External Relations,
co-chair of the Energy & Sustainability Practice, and chair of the
Aerospace & Defense Industry Team.
Gotthelf has environmental, renewable energy, and sustainability experience. She assists clients with remediation, redevelopment, permitting, and compliance. She is proud of the work she does with renewable energy, including assisting in the expansion of biodigesters to turn food waste and manure into renewable natural gas as well as ways to manage stormwater. She also is proud of her work to facilitate the redevelopment of property for such uses as affordable housing and industrial plants.
Gotthelf was a part of the team that created the first wetland bank in Michigan and Wayne County’s Brownfield Authority. Her experience includes active involvement in a variety of enforcement cases on behalf of government and industry. She has counseled clients on compliance, emergency response, remediation, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), redevelopment, tax incentives, enforcement, occupational safety and health, and insurance coverage.
Gotthelf serves as chair of the Michigan Manufacturers Association’s Environmental Policy Committee; general counsel to the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Surface Finishers; board member and former chair, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator; and Michigan Advisory Board, Women in Defense. Gotthelf also is board directorship certified through the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).
Additionally, Gotthelf is a former board member of the Better Business Bureau and is former general counsel to the Wayne County Brownfield Authority. She is a former board member of the International Women’s Forum, Michigan and Florida Chapters. She has represented the Wayne County (Michigan) Department of Public Services Environmental Services Division on a broad variety of issues, including the Detroit bankruptcy as it related to the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department, the wastewater treatment plant expansion, upgrade, and compliance; wet weather issues; landfill compliance and expansion; remediation; and ordinance amendments.
Gotthelf served on the Detroit Regional Chamber Leadership Committee for Transportation and is past chair of the Chamber’s Task Force on Water and Sewer Issues. She is past chair of the City of Birmingham Brownfield Authority. On behalf of industry, she served on the Federal Advisory Committee charged with recommending stormwater rules. She also served as an arbitrator for the National Arbitration Forum.
Also active in numerous bar associations, Gotthelf’s experience includes serving as vice-chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law, Water Quality and Wetlands; former vice-chair of the Section’s Annual Keystone Conference Committee; chair of the State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section; and chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association. She is a past member of the State Bar Representative Assembly on behalf of Oakland County.
In addition, Butzel President and CEO Paul M. Mersino has been named to Crain’s Detroit Business’ new “Who’s Who – The Most Influential People in Southeast Michigan.” Previously, Mersino was named to Crain’s Detroit Business magazine’s 2021 Class of “40 Under 40” list.
Mersino was recently named to DBusiness magazine’s Detroit 500 – 2025 list of the Most Powerful Business Leaders in Metro Detroit, for the third straight year. Moreover, he has been recognized as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness magazine, as a Michigan Super Lawyer, as one of Oakland County’s Elite 40 under 40, and as an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Mersino was appointed Butzel president and CEO in March 2023. He is responsible for the operations and management of the 150+ attorney firm, including budgeting, setting strategic goals, and more. Mersino was elected to the firm’s Board of Directors in 2020.
He represents public and private companies, in a number of areas including complex commercial litigation, contract disputes, non-compete and trade secret disputes, automotive supplier disputes, construction litigation, and First Amendment litigation. He has seen a number of successes in trials and cases across the country, having obtained jury verdicts, summary judgment rulings, dismissal of cases against his clients, and settlements favorable to his clients in state and federal courts throughout the nation.
Mersino also represents and advises a number of startup companies, assisting them with their legal needs and matching them with potential venture capital funding. He handles appeals in the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, and in federal courts across the country.
Mersino formerly served as Butzel’s Litigation Practice Department chair. He was responsible for the management and oversight of the firm’s Commercial Litigation attorneys who reported to him as well as their strategic goals, budgeting, forecasting, and direction of the practice group. Mersino also has served as Trustee of the Butzel Charitable Trust.
He has served on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Bar Association and as an advisor to the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Litigation Advisory Board.
Mersino is a 2008 graduate of Ave Maria School of Law. He earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Northwood University (B.A., 2005).
Butzel is also pleased to announce that it has received national recognition in the 2026 “Best Law Firms,” rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.
Below is a list of Butzel’s national and local 2026 Best Law Firm rankings:
—National Tier 2
Securities Regulation
—National Tier 3
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
—Regional Tier 1
Detroit
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Employment Law – Management
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
International Trade and Finance Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants
Mediation
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Real Estate Law
Securities Regulation
Troy
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Environmental Law
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Environmental
Litigation – Health Care
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts and Estates
—Regional Tier 2
Detroit
Appellate Practice
Arbitration
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation – Construction
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Troy
Banking and Finance Law
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Tax Law
—Regional Tier 3
Detroit
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tax Law
Troy
Mediation
• • •
Dalton & Tomich is pleased to announce that firm co-founder Daniel Dalton has been included on the 2026 DBusiness magazine Top Lawyers’ list. He was included in the category of land use and zoning.
In addition to being a leader in Michigan land use and zoning law, Dalton has a national practice in land use for faith communities and is regularly sought out for his expertise in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).
The Top Lawyers recognition follows other legal accolades for Dalton in recent months, including 2025 Super Lawyers and 2026 Best Lawyers.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Ashley Jericho has joined the firm’s Troy office as Of Counsel.
Jericho focuses her practice on insolvency, restructuring, and strategic advisory matters. She has more than fifteen years of experience representing debtors, creditors, trustees, and purchasers of distressed assets in bankruptcy proceedings, adversary proceedings, federal and state court receiverships, and out-of-court workouts. She also provides business counsel to companies navigating financial challenges or seeking to strengthen their operations in non-distressed environments.
Jericho is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch.” She is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Turnaround Management Association, the TMA Network of Women, and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. Jericho received her B.A. from Washington & Jefferson College and her law degree from Cooley Law School.
Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce it received 26 national rankings and 59 rankings in Southeast Michigan in the 2026 Best Law Firms® report by Best Lawyers.
Below are Dickinson Wright’s 2026 Best Law Firms® national and local rankings:
• National Rankings
—Tier 1
Appellate Practice
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
—Tier 2
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Corporate Law
Environmental Law
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Litigation – Real Estate
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Tax Law
Technology Law
Trademark Law
Trusts & Estates Law
—Tier 3
Communications Law
Copyright Law
Employment Law – Management
Labor Law – Management
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
Real Estate Law
Securities Regulation
• State/Metropolitan Rankings
—Tier 1
Detroit
Appellate Practice
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
International Mergers & Acquisitions
International Trade & Finance Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Troy
Arbitration
Banking and Finance Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Litigation – Banking & Finance
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Litigation - Patent
Litigation – Real Estate
Litigation – Trusts & Estates
Mediation
Municipal Law
Patent Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts & Estates Law
—Tier 2
Detroit
Construction Law
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
Troy
Health Care Law
Land Use & Zoning Law
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Nonprofit/Charities Law
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Technology Law
Trademark Law
—Tier 3
Troy
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Family Law
Immigration Law
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC is proud to announce that seven attorneys have been named to the Dbusiness 2026 Top Lawyers list. The firm is pleased to congratulate:
Brian J. Richtarcik – Appellate Law
Matthew C. McCann – Environmental Law
Nicholas J. Tatro – Environmental Law
Silvia Alexandria Mansoor – Health Care Law
Randall A. Juip – Medical Malpractice Law
Lauren T. Rhoads – Medical Malpractice Law
Joseph Patrick McGill – Product Liability
• • •
Miller Johnson is proud to welcome David Walz to its Detroit office as a counsel attorney in the Med Recovery practice group. With experience representing insurance companies in personal injury defense, Walz brings a strategic, client-centered approach to reimbursement litigation.
Walz’s practice focuses on pre-litigation investigations, legal research, depositions, mediations, and court appearances. He also represents medical providers in insurance-related disputes, applying strategic legal analysis to recover payment for services and interpret complex policy language regarding coverage and exclusions.
Prior to joining Miller Johnson, Walz represented various insurance carriers, where he led the management of cases from initial assessment through final resolution.
Walz earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CUNY Queens College.
• • •
McDonald Hopkins has been honored as one of the country’s leading law firms by Best Lawyers®. The 2026 U.S. Best Law Firms® rankings recognize the firm in more than 24 categories.
Locally, the firm’s Detroit office was ranked as:
—Metropolitan Tier 1
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Litigation - Labor & Employment
Litigation - Real Estate
—Metropolitan Tier 2
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law - Individuals
Employment Law - Management
Privacy and Data Security Law
Real Estate Law
• • •
Kemp Klein has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms® ranked regionally in 19 practice areas:
—Regional Tier 1
Troy
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Elder Law
Family Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Litigation and Controversy – Tax
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
—Regional Tier 2
Troy
Arbitration
Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Labor and Employment
—Regional Tier 3
Troy
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• • •
Burris Law is pleased to announce that the firm has once again been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®, earning a Tier 1 regional ranking in Detroit in the area of Patent Law.
• • •
Honigman Partner Carol Friend has been honored with the Interlaw Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her service, leadership, and dedication within the organization.
Friend concentrates her practice on employment-based immigration and represents national and international companies in complex business immigration matters. She has represented numerous international and U.S. affiliated companies in obtaining work authorization for employees to work in the U.S.
Friend assists U.S. companies in evaluating Form I-9 and E-Verify compliance programs, including the evaluation and selection of electronic I-9 and E-Verify vendors, assists clients with Form I-9 internal and government audits, obtains O-1, alien of extraordinary ability status, for highly talented employees during H-1B cap droughts, manages the L-1 and permanent resident process for a significant number of high-level executives, and brings to clients a substantially high success rate in the filing of EB-1 Outstanding Researcher and International Executive/Manager immigrant petitions.
Honigman is also pleased to announced that it has earned recognition from Best Law Firms®. Honigman’s local 2026 rankings include:
—Regional Tier 1
Bloomfield Hills
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Copyright Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Family Law
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation - Securities
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Nonprofit / Charities Law
Patent Law
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trademark Law
Trusts and Estates
Detroit
Antitrust Law
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law - Management
Environmental Law
Government Relations Practice
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Information Technology Law
Insurance Law
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Land Use and Zoning Law
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation - Antitrust
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation - Real Estate
Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Litigation - Securities
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Real Estate Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Securities Regulation
Tax Law
—Regional Tier 2
Bloomfield Hills
Litigation - Patent
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Detroit
Banking and Finance Law
Franchise Law
Labor Law – Management
—Regional Tier 3
Detroit
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Litigation - Labor and Employment
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Jonathan S. Green has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Barbara J. Rom Award for Bankruptcy Excellence, presented by the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association (EDMIBAR). The award recognizes practitioners who demonstrate exceptional skill, professionalism, and integrity in the practice of bankruptcy law.
For nearly four decades, Green has represented clients in debtor-in-possession financings, supply protection negotiations, Chapter 11 restructurings, and asset acquisitions. He has experience in automotive and troubled-supplier restructurings, both in and out of bankruptcy, and played a key role as part of the Miller Canfield team serving as local counsel to the City of Detroit during its historic Chapter 9 bankruptcy and ongoing restructuring.
In addition to maintaining a nationally recognized practice, Green has contributed to the legal community through teaching, writing, and professional service. He formerly served as chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Debtor-Creditor Rights Committee and as an adjunct professor at Wayne State University Law School, and he has been a frequent lecturer on bankruptcy and commercial law topics.
Green will be recognized at EDMIBAR’s award luncheon at the Westin Hotel in Detroit on November 12.
• • •
Dykema is proud to share that Len Wolfe was featured in the Crain’s Detroit Business list, “Who’s Who in Detroit Business.”
In his role as CEO and chair of Dykema, Wolfe is responsible for executing the firm’s strategic plan, which includes growth in new markets, combining with like-minded practices, scaling existing client work, improving the profitability and efficiencies of the law firm, and identifying, promoting, and developing new service offerings.
• • •
Clark Hill PLC received national and regional rankings in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms. Locally the firm was ranked in:
—Regional Tier 1
Detroit
Arbitration
Banking and Finance Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Mediation
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Nonprofit / Charities Law
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Trusts and Estates
Troy
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Education Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Management
Litigation – Insurance
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
—Regional Tier 2 Rankings
Detroit
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Government Relations Practice
Immigration Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Troy
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Family Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Banking and Finance
Litigation – Real Estate
—Regional Tier 3 Rankings
Detroit
Appellate Practice
Real Estate Law
• • •
Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is proud to announce that several of its attorneys have been recognized as “Top Lawyers” by DBusiness Magazine in its annual list for 2025.
The firm extends congratulations to the following attorneys for this achievement:
Christina A. Ginter – Appellate Law
Gregory G. Drutchas – Health Care Law
John Paul Hessburg – Health Care Law
Meghan Kennedy Riordan – Immigration Law
John M. Sier – Litigation: Construction
• • •
Howard & Howard has been ranked in the sixteenth edition of “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers.
The firm’s Royal Oak office rankings include:
—Regional Tier 1
Commercial Litigation
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Litigation - Patent
Patent Law
Trademark Law
—Regional Tier 2
Corporate Law
Litigation - Labor and Employment
—Regional Tier 3
Energy Law
Real Estate Law
• • •
Garan Lucow Miller PC is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized by Best Lawyers® as a Best Law Firm in multiple practice areas regionally and nationally.
Locally, Garan has been ranked as a Tier 1 firm in the Detroit metropolitan area for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Appellate Practice, Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
The firm was ranked as a Tier 2 firm in Troy for Insurance law, and in the Detroit metro area for Municipal Law.
Additionally, Garan received a Tier 3 ranking nationally in Appellate Practice and Insurance Law.
• • •
Best Lawyers® has honored Kerr Russell as a “Best Law Firm,” ranking the firm regionally in 24 practice areas for 2026.
Kerr Russell’s Real Estate Litigation practice made a debut in Tier 1, while Commercial Litigation advanced from Tier 3 to Tier 1. Additionally, Regulatory Law and Banking and Finance Law were newly recognized in this year’s rankings and Real Estate Law and Securities Regulation both advanced a tier.
The ranked areas include the following:
—Metropolitan Tier 1
Detroit
Appellate Practice
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Insurance Law
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Real Estate
Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Municipal Law
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
—Metropolitan Tier 2
Detroit
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Antitrust Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Construction
Real Estate Law
Securities Regulation
Tax Law
—Metropolitan Tier 3
Detroit
Banking and Finance Law
Employment Law – Management
• • •
In the recently released 2026 edition of Best Law Firms, Maddin Hauser is named as a top law firm across several practice areas. The latest rankings reflect recognition in 19 practice areas, including Construction Law, Family Law, and Litigation – Real Estate, which are new additions for 2026. Ten practice areas received Tier 1 recognition, the highest tier possible. The rankings include:
—Metropolitan Tier 1
Detroit
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Individuals
Family Law
Franchise Law
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Real Estate
Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
Real Estate Law
—Metropolitan Tier 2
Detroit
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Insurance Law
Trusts and Estates
—Metropolitan Tier 3
Detroit
Commercial Litigation
Employment Law – Management
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tax Law
Gotthelf has environmental, renewable energy, and sustainability experience. She assists clients with remediation, redevelopment, permitting, and compliance. She is proud of the work she does with renewable energy, including assisting in the expansion of biodigesters to turn food waste and manure into renewable natural gas as well as ways to manage stormwater. She also is proud of her work to facilitate the redevelopment of property for such uses as affordable housing and industrial plants.
Gotthelf was a part of the team that created the first wetland bank in Michigan and Wayne County’s Brownfield Authority. Her experience includes active involvement in a variety of enforcement cases on behalf of government and industry. She has counseled clients on compliance, emergency response, remediation, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), redevelopment, tax incentives, enforcement, occupational safety and health, and insurance coverage.
Gotthelf serves as chair of the Michigan Manufacturers Association’s Environmental Policy Committee; general counsel to the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Surface Finishers; board member and former chair, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator; and Michigan Advisory Board, Women in Defense. Gotthelf also is board directorship certified through the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).
Additionally, Gotthelf is a former board member of the Better Business Bureau and is former general counsel to the Wayne County Brownfield Authority. She is a former board member of the International Women’s Forum, Michigan and Florida Chapters. She has represented the Wayne County (Michigan) Department of Public Services Environmental Services Division on a broad variety of issues, including the Detroit bankruptcy as it related to the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department, the wastewater treatment plant expansion, upgrade, and compliance; wet weather issues; landfill compliance and expansion; remediation; and ordinance amendments.
Gotthelf served on the Detroit Regional Chamber Leadership Committee for Transportation and is past chair of the Chamber’s Task Force on Water and Sewer Issues. She is past chair of the City of Birmingham Brownfield Authority. On behalf of industry, she served on the Federal Advisory Committee charged with recommending stormwater rules. She also served as an arbitrator for the National Arbitration Forum.
Also active in numerous bar associations, Gotthelf’s experience includes serving as vice-chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law, Water Quality and Wetlands; former vice-chair of the Section’s Annual Keystone Conference Committee; chair of the State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section; and chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association. She is a past member of the State Bar Representative Assembly on behalf of Oakland County.
In addition, Butzel President and CEO Paul M. Mersino has been named to Crain’s Detroit Business’ new “Who’s Who – The Most Influential People in Southeast Michigan.” Previously, Mersino was named to Crain’s Detroit Business magazine’s 2021 Class of “40 Under 40” list.
Mersino was recently named to DBusiness magazine’s Detroit 500 – 2025 list of the Most Powerful Business Leaders in Metro Detroit, for the third straight year. Moreover, he has been recognized as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness magazine, as a Michigan Super Lawyer, as one of Oakland County’s Elite 40 under 40, and as an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Mersino was appointed Butzel president and CEO in March 2023. He is responsible for the operations and management of the 150+ attorney firm, including budgeting, setting strategic goals, and more. Mersino was elected to the firm’s Board of Directors in 2020.
He represents public and private companies, in a number of areas including complex commercial litigation, contract disputes, non-compete and trade secret disputes, automotive supplier disputes, construction litigation, and First Amendment litigation. He has seen a number of successes in trials and cases across the country, having obtained jury verdicts, summary judgment rulings, dismissal of cases against his clients, and settlements favorable to his clients in state and federal courts throughout the nation.
Mersino also represents and advises a number of startup companies, assisting them with their legal needs and matching them with potential venture capital funding. He handles appeals in the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, and in federal courts across the country.
Mersino formerly served as Butzel’s Litigation Practice Department chair. He was responsible for the management and oversight of the firm’s Commercial Litigation attorneys who reported to him as well as their strategic goals, budgeting, forecasting, and direction of the practice group. Mersino also has served as Trustee of the Butzel Charitable Trust.
He has served on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Bar Association and as an advisor to the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Litigation Advisory Board.
Mersino is a 2008 graduate of Ave Maria School of Law. He earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Northwood University (B.A., 2005).
Butzel is also pleased to announce that it has received national recognition in the 2026 “Best Law Firms,” rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.
Below is a list of Butzel’s national and local 2026 Best Law Firm rankings:
—National Tier 2
Securities Regulation
—National Tier 3
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
—Regional Tier 1
Detroit
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Employment Law – Management
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
International Trade and Finance Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants
Mediation
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Real Estate Law
Securities Regulation
Troy
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Environmental Law
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Environmental
Litigation – Health Care
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts and Estates
—Regional Tier 2
Detroit
Appellate Practice
Arbitration
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation – Construction
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Troy
Banking and Finance Law
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Tax Law
—Regional Tier 3
Detroit
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tax Law
Troy
Mediation
• • •
Dalton & Tomich is pleased to announce that firm co-founder Daniel Dalton has been included on the 2026 DBusiness magazine Top Lawyers’ list. He was included in the category of land use and zoning.
In addition to being a leader in Michigan land use and zoning law, Dalton has a national practice in land use for faith communities and is regularly sought out for his expertise in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).
The Top Lawyers recognition follows other legal accolades for Dalton in recent months, including 2025 Super Lawyers and 2026 Best Lawyers.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Ashley Jericho has joined the firm’s Troy office as Of Counsel.
Jericho focuses her practice on insolvency, restructuring, and strategic advisory matters. She has more than fifteen years of experience representing debtors, creditors, trustees, and purchasers of distressed assets in bankruptcy proceedings, adversary proceedings, federal and state court receiverships, and out-of-court workouts. She also provides business counsel to companies navigating financial challenges or seeking to strengthen their operations in non-distressed environments.
Jericho is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch.” She is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Turnaround Management Association, the TMA Network of Women, and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. Jericho received her B.A. from Washington & Jefferson College and her law degree from Cooley Law School.
Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce it received 26 national rankings and 59 rankings in Southeast Michigan in the 2026 Best Law Firms® report by Best Lawyers.
Below are Dickinson Wright’s 2026 Best Law Firms® national and local rankings:
• National Rankings
—Tier 1
Appellate Practice
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
—Tier 2
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Corporate Law
Environmental Law
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Litigation – Real Estate
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Tax Law
Technology Law
Trademark Law
Trusts & Estates Law
—Tier 3
Communications Law
Copyright Law
Employment Law – Management
Labor Law – Management
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
Real Estate Law
Securities Regulation
• State/Metropolitan Rankings
—Tier 1
Detroit
Appellate Practice
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
International Mergers & Acquisitions
International Trade & Finance Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Troy
Arbitration
Banking and Finance Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Litigation – Banking & Finance
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Litigation - Patent
Litigation – Real Estate
Litigation – Trusts & Estates
Mediation
Municipal Law
Patent Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts & Estates Law
—Tier 2
Detroit
Construction Law
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
Troy
Health Care Law
Land Use & Zoning Law
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Nonprofit/Charities Law
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Technology Law
Trademark Law
—Tier 3
Troy
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Family Law
Immigration Law
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC is proud to announce that seven attorneys have been named to the Dbusiness 2026 Top Lawyers list. The firm is pleased to congratulate:
Brian J. Richtarcik – Appellate Law
Matthew C. McCann – Environmental Law
Nicholas J. Tatro – Environmental Law
Silvia Alexandria Mansoor – Health Care Law
Randall A. Juip – Medical Malpractice Law
Lauren T. Rhoads – Medical Malpractice Law
Joseph Patrick McGill – Product Liability
• • •
Miller Johnson is proud to welcome David Walz to its Detroit office as a counsel attorney in the Med Recovery practice group. With experience representing insurance companies in personal injury defense, Walz brings a strategic, client-centered approach to reimbursement litigation.
Walz’s practice focuses on pre-litigation investigations, legal research, depositions, mediations, and court appearances. He also represents medical providers in insurance-related disputes, applying strategic legal analysis to recover payment for services and interpret complex policy language regarding coverage and exclusions.
Prior to joining Miller Johnson, Walz represented various insurance carriers, where he led the management of cases from initial assessment through final resolution.
Walz earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CUNY Queens College.
• • •
McDonald Hopkins has been honored as one of the country’s leading law firms by Best Lawyers®. The 2026 U.S. Best Law Firms® rankings recognize the firm in more than 24 categories.
Locally, the firm’s Detroit office was ranked as:
—Metropolitan Tier 1
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Litigation - Labor & Employment
Litigation - Real Estate
—Metropolitan Tier 2
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law - Individuals
Employment Law - Management
Privacy and Data Security Law
Real Estate Law
• • •
Kemp Klein has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms® ranked regionally in 19 practice areas:
—Regional Tier 1
Troy
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Elder Law
Family Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Litigation and Controversy – Tax
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
—Regional Tier 2
Troy
Arbitration
Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Labor and Employment
—Regional Tier 3
Troy
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• • •
Burris Law is pleased to announce that the firm has once again been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®, earning a Tier 1 regional ranking in Detroit in the area of Patent Law.
• • •
Honigman Partner Carol Friend has been honored with the Interlaw Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her service, leadership, and dedication within the organization.
Friend concentrates her practice on employment-based immigration and represents national and international companies in complex business immigration matters. She has represented numerous international and U.S. affiliated companies in obtaining work authorization for employees to work in the U.S.
Friend assists U.S. companies in evaluating Form I-9 and E-Verify compliance programs, including the evaluation and selection of electronic I-9 and E-Verify vendors, assists clients with Form I-9 internal and government audits, obtains O-1, alien of extraordinary ability status, for highly talented employees during H-1B cap droughts, manages the L-1 and permanent resident process for a significant number of high-level executives, and brings to clients a substantially high success rate in the filing of EB-1 Outstanding Researcher and International Executive/Manager immigrant petitions.
Honigman is also pleased to announced that it has earned recognition from Best Law Firms®. Honigman’s local 2026 rankings include:
—Regional Tier 1
Bloomfield Hills
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Copyright Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Family Law
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation - Securities
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Nonprofit / Charities Law
Patent Law
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trademark Law
Trusts and Estates
Detroit
Antitrust Law
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law - Management
Environmental Law
Government Relations Practice
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Information Technology Law
Insurance Law
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Land Use and Zoning Law
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation - Antitrust
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation - Real Estate
Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Litigation - Securities
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Real Estate Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Securities Regulation
Tax Law
—Regional Tier 2
Bloomfield Hills
Litigation - Patent
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Detroit
Banking and Finance Law
Franchise Law
Labor Law – Management
—Regional Tier 3
Detroit
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Litigation - Labor and Employment
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Jonathan S. Green has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Barbara J. Rom Award for Bankruptcy Excellence, presented by the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association (EDMIBAR). The award recognizes practitioners who demonstrate exceptional skill, professionalism, and integrity in the practice of bankruptcy law.
For nearly four decades, Green has represented clients in debtor-in-possession financings, supply protection negotiations, Chapter 11 restructurings, and asset acquisitions. He has experience in automotive and troubled-supplier restructurings, both in and out of bankruptcy, and played a key role as part of the Miller Canfield team serving as local counsel to the City of Detroit during its historic Chapter 9 bankruptcy and ongoing restructuring.
In addition to maintaining a nationally recognized practice, Green has contributed to the legal community through teaching, writing, and professional service. He formerly served as chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Debtor-Creditor Rights Committee and as an adjunct professor at Wayne State University Law School, and he has been a frequent lecturer on bankruptcy and commercial law topics.
Green will be recognized at EDMIBAR’s award luncheon at the Westin Hotel in Detroit on November 12.
• • •
Dykema is proud to share that Len Wolfe was featured in the Crain’s Detroit Business list, “Who’s Who in Detroit Business.”
In his role as CEO and chair of Dykema, Wolfe is responsible for executing the firm’s strategic plan, which includes growth in new markets, combining with like-minded practices, scaling existing client work, improving the profitability and efficiencies of the law firm, and identifying, promoting, and developing new service offerings.
• • •
Clark Hill PLC received national and regional rankings in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms. Locally the firm was ranked in:
—Regional Tier 1
Detroit
Arbitration
Banking and Finance Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Mediation
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Nonprofit / Charities Law
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Trusts and Estates
Troy
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Education Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Management
Litigation – Insurance
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
—Regional Tier 2 Rankings
Detroit
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Government Relations Practice
Immigration Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Troy
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Family Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Banking and Finance
Litigation – Real Estate
—Regional Tier 3 Rankings
Detroit
Appellate Practice
Real Estate Law
• • •
Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is proud to announce that several of its attorneys have been recognized as “Top Lawyers” by DBusiness Magazine in its annual list for 2025.
The firm extends congratulations to the following attorneys for this achievement:
Christina A. Ginter – Appellate Law
Gregory G. Drutchas – Health Care Law
John Paul Hessburg – Health Care Law
Meghan Kennedy Riordan – Immigration Law
John M. Sier – Litigation: Construction
• • •
Howard & Howard has been ranked in the sixteenth edition of “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers.
The firm’s Royal Oak office rankings include:
—Regional Tier 1
Commercial Litigation
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Litigation - Patent
Patent Law
Trademark Law
—Regional Tier 2
Corporate Law
Litigation - Labor and Employment
—Regional Tier 3
Energy Law
Real Estate Law
• • •
Garan Lucow Miller PC is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized by Best Lawyers® as a Best Law Firm in multiple practice areas regionally and nationally.
Locally, Garan has been ranked as a Tier 1 firm in the Detroit metropolitan area for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Appellate Practice, Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
The firm was ranked as a Tier 2 firm in Troy for Insurance law, and in the Detroit metro area for Municipal Law.
Additionally, Garan received a Tier 3 ranking nationally in Appellate Practice and Insurance Law.
• • •
Best Lawyers® has honored Kerr Russell as a “Best Law Firm,” ranking the firm regionally in 24 practice areas for 2026.
Kerr Russell’s Real Estate Litigation practice made a debut in Tier 1, while Commercial Litigation advanced from Tier 3 to Tier 1. Additionally, Regulatory Law and Banking and Finance Law were newly recognized in this year’s rankings and Real Estate Law and Securities Regulation both advanced a tier.
The ranked areas include the following:
—Metropolitan Tier 1
Detroit
Appellate Practice
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Insurance Law
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Real Estate
Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Municipal Law
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
—Metropolitan Tier 2
Detroit
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Antitrust Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Construction
Real Estate Law
Securities Regulation
Tax Law
—Metropolitan Tier 3
Detroit
Banking and Finance Law
Employment Law – Management
• • •
In the recently released 2026 edition of Best Law Firms, Maddin Hauser is named as a top law firm across several practice areas. The latest rankings reflect recognition in 19 practice areas, including Construction Law, Family Law, and Litigation – Real Estate, which are new additions for 2026. Ten practice areas received Tier 1 recognition, the highest tier possible. The rankings include:
—Metropolitan Tier 1
Detroit
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Individuals
Family Law
Franchise Law
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Real Estate
Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
Real Estate Law
—Metropolitan Tier 2
Detroit
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Insurance Law
Trusts and Estates
—Metropolitan Tier 3
Detroit
Commercial Litigation
Employment Law – Management
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tax Law
COMMENTARY: The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Mariners’ Church of Detroit
November 14 ,2025
November 10, 1975. It was 50
years since the “gales of November came early” and the “pride of the
American side” sank in the “big lake they call Gitche Gumee” carrying a
“load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more” than the “Edmund
Fitzgerald weighed empty.”
:
By Gregory L. Curtner
November 10, 1975. It was 50 years since the “gales of November came early” and the “pride of the American side” sank in the “big lake they call Gitche Gumee” carrying a “load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more” than the “Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty.” Gordon Lightfoot published the timeless lyrics June 1, 1976 as a young Canadian folk singer whose life was forever entwined with the “witch of November” and “the wind in the wires.” Thanks to him and a solitary act of faith “all that remains” didn’t turn out to be only the “faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters.”
Father Ingalls, the Rector of Mariner’s Church of Detroit, heard the “the Fitz was in trouble” late that November evening. In the morning when the sinking was confirmed, he dressed and drove early to the church. Alone, he rang the massive bell once for each sailor lost and then prayed for each soul. A reporter and other press heard the bell and the story was born, soon making its way to Lightfoot.
Fifty years later, no one still knows “where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours,” but because in a “musty old hall in Detroit they prayed in the Maritime Sailors’ Cathedral” and “the church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times,” the “legend lives on.” That “musty old hall” is The Mariners’ Church of Detroit, which is not really musty. It still stands proudly on the banks of the Detroit River and is the second oldest stone building in the City, erected beginning in 1842. The bell still tolls twenty-nine times every November 10. Gordon presumably got his bell when he died May 1, 2023. The legends live on together, forever enshrined.
The Great Lakes contain over 6,000 shipwrecks and have claimed at least 30,000 lives. Mariners’ churches were an international movement in the 1800s when merchant shipping was widespread and wayfaring seamen were often in frontier cities far from home in need, some thought, of religious attention and redemption from the temptations of developing urban life. Two sisters, Julia Anderson, the widow of Colonel John Anderson, commander of Fort Detroit, and Charlotte Taylor, had no heirs and wealth inherited from an uncle who made his fortune in shipping in Jamaica (presumably in the slave trade), which was later invested wisely in Erie Canal Bonds. The Will of Julia Anderson in 1842 directed that funds be used for the establishment of a stone mariners’ church in Detroit. The church opened in 1849 and is the oldest stone church in Detroit. Establishment churches in those days had closed pews owned by local families and strangers were not welcome. The pious sisters, supporting a worldwide religious movement, were concerned for the souls of the itinerant seamen. A history of the seamen’s church movement can be found here and a few such establishments survive. The church also functioned as a stop on the Underground Railroad. A tunnel was discovered when it was moved in 1955 to its present location near the Detroit River.
Early the next morning, a solitary clergy was moved to ring the church’s massive bell once for each of the lost crew members and then to pray for them. That simple act attracted significant press. Gordon Lightfoot read the story of the ringing of the bell 29 times, a spontaneous act of devotion and grief by the Reverend Richard Ingalls, then Rector at Mariner’s. Lightfoot’s epic, published in June, 1976, was an instant classic and made The Mariners’ Church of Detroit world famous. It was already unique. It had been founded to be an independent church for all people and was later incorporated by a special act of the Michigan Legislature, Public Act 142 of 1848, giving it perpetual status and an independent, self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. It had long been affiliated with the Episcopal Church, following the Anglican form of worship and precepts. As the Protestant Episcopal Church (PECUSA) in the United States moved away from its historic ties with the Church of England and became more progressive in the 1970s and 1980s, adopting an English language rather than Latin mass, supporting the ordination of women and non-traditional marriage, the Trustees of Mariners’ Church, including many prominent Detroit families, preferred their traditional ways.
In 1990, Mariner’s Church faced its own existential crisis. The progressive head of the Episcopal Church in Michigan, Bishop Wood, guided by and relying on a framework of Canon law, moved to convert historic religious affiliation into legal ownership and control of Mariners’. The Rector, Father Ingalls, a strong-willed force for independence, and the independent Board of Trustees resisted, insisting on their statutory independence and maintaining the Latin Mass. Ingalls was excommunicated and defrocked. PECUSA asserted legal control in its ecclesiastical tribunals under canon law. A civil lawsuit followed in 1990. One of the undersigned’s partners, Steven Roach, also at Miller, Canfield, Paddock, and Stone, the oldest Detroit firm, founded about the same time, in 1852, which had its first offices in the lower floors of Mariners’ Church, was a member of Mariners’ and brought me into the litigation. The case was heard by a Wayne County Circuit Court Judge, who was amused by the idea that a self-serving new canon law and over a century of “religious affiliation” could triumph over a clear act of the legislature, ruled for independence in 1991. The Court of Appeals affirmed.
The case was marked by an encounter of heroic proportions. Bishop Wood announced that he would install a new Rector at Mariners’. He approached the massive wooden doors on a Sunday afternoon with his large wooden shepherds’ crook prepared to rap three times to demand obeisance. The Trustees and Rector Ingalls, flanked by lawyers on one side and four Detroit Police Officers on horses on the other, invited him in to worship, but when he declined then turned him away while the local TV evening news cameras captured the event.
Bishop Wood, made famous by his Quixotic loss, and forever also linked to Gordon Lightfoot, likewise died in 2023, in Harbor Springs, where his obituary recited from the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
“Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
“In the rooms of her ice-water mansion
“Old Michigan steams like a young man’s dreams
“The islands and bays are for sportsmen”
The “legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee.” The bell is still rung every November at a service of remembrance for all lost on the Great Lakes.
No one could save that doomed ship, but Gordon Lightfoot, Father Ingalls and a clear public act saved The Mariners’ Church of Detroit.
————————
Gregory L. Curtner is partner at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP. He is a former chairman of the Antitrust Section of the State Bar of Michigan and was the primary drafter of the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act.
November 10, 1975. It was 50 years since the “gales of November came early” and the “pride of the American side” sank in the “big lake they call Gitche Gumee” carrying a “load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more” than the “Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty.” Gordon Lightfoot published the timeless lyrics June 1, 1976 as a young Canadian folk singer whose life was forever entwined with the “witch of November” and “the wind in the wires.” Thanks to him and a solitary act of faith “all that remains” didn’t turn out to be only the “faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters.”
Father Ingalls, the Rector of Mariner’s Church of Detroit, heard the “the Fitz was in trouble” late that November evening. In the morning when the sinking was confirmed, he dressed and drove early to the church. Alone, he rang the massive bell once for each sailor lost and then prayed for each soul. A reporter and other press heard the bell and the story was born, soon making its way to Lightfoot.
Fifty years later, no one still knows “where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours,” but because in a “musty old hall in Detroit they prayed in the Maritime Sailors’ Cathedral” and “the church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times,” the “legend lives on.” That “musty old hall” is The Mariners’ Church of Detroit, which is not really musty. It still stands proudly on the banks of the Detroit River and is the second oldest stone building in the City, erected beginning in 1842. The bell still tolls twenty-nine times every November 10. Gordon presumably got his bell when he died May 1, 2023. The legends live on together, forever enshrined.
The Great Lakes contain over 6,000 shipwrecks and have claimed at least 30,000 lives. Mariners’ churches were an international movement in the 1800s when merchant shipping was widespread and wayfaring seamen were often in frontier cities far from home in need, some thought, of religious attention and redemption from the temptations of developing urban life. Two sisters, Julia Anderson, the widow of Colonel John Anderson, commander of Fort Detroit, and Charlotte Taylor, had no heirs and wealth inherited from an uncle who made his fortune in shipping in Jamaica (presumably in the slave trade), which was later invested wisely in Erie Canal Bonds. The Will of Julia Anderson in 1842 directed that funds be used for the establishment of a stone mariners’ church in Detroit. The church opened in 1849 and is the oldest stone church in Detroit. Establishment churches in those days had closed pews owned by local families and strangers were not welcome. The pious sisters, supporting a worldwide religious movement, were concerned for the souls of the itinerant seamen. A history of the seamen’s church movement can be found here and a few such establishments survive. The church also functioned as a stop on the Underground Railroad. A tunnel was discovered when it was moved in 1955 to its present location near the Detroit River.
Early the next morning, a solitary clergy was moved to ring the church’s massive bell once for each of the lost crew members and then to pray for them. That simple act attracted significant press. Gordon Lightfoot read the story of the ringing of the bell 29 times, a spontaneous act of devotion and grief by the Reverend Richard Ingalls, then Rector at Mariner’s. Lightfoot’s epic, published in June, 1976, was an instant classic and made The Mariners’ Church of Detroit world famous. It was already unique. It had been founded to be an independent church for all people and was later incorporated by a special act of the Michigan Legislature, Public Act 142 of 1848, giving it perpetual status and an independent, self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. It had long been affiliated with the Episcopal Church, following the Anglican form of worship and precepts. As the Protestant Episcopal Church (PECUSA) in the United States moved away from its historic ties with the Church of England and became more progressive in the 1970s and 1980s, adopting an English language rather than Latin mass, supporting the ordination of women and non-traditional marriage, the Trustees of Mariners’ Church, including many prominent Detroit families, preferred their traditional ways.
In 1990, Mariner’s Church faced its own existential crisis. The progressive head of the Episcopal Church in Michigan, Bishop Wood, guided by and relying on a framework of Canon law, moved to convert historic religious affiliation into legal ownership and control of Mariners’. The Rector, Father Ingalls, a strong-willed force for independence, and the independent Board of Trustees resisted, insisting on their statutory independence and maintaining the Latin Mass. Ingalls was excommunicated and defrocked. PECUSA asserted legal control in its ecclesiastical tribunals under canon law. A civil lawsuit followed in 1990. One of the undersigned’s partners, Steven Roach, also at Miller, Canfield, Paddock, and Stone, the oldest Detroit firm, founded about the same time, in 1852, which had its first offices in the lower floors of Mariners’ Church, was a member of Mariners’ and brought me into the litigation. The case was heard by a Wayne County Circuit Court Judge, who was amused by the idea that a self-serving new canon law and over a century of “religious affiliation” could triumph over a clear act of the legislature, ruled for independence in 1991. The Court of Appeals affirmed.
The case was marked by an encounter of heroic proportions. Bishop Wood announced that he would install a new Rector at Mariners’. He approached the massive wooden doors on a Sunday afternoon with his large wooden shepherds’ crook prepared to rap three times to demand obeisance. The Trustees and Rector Ingalls, flanked by lawyers on one side and four Detroit Police Officers on horses on the other, invited him in to worship, but when he declined then turned him away while the local TV evening news cameras captured the event.
Bishop Wood, made famous by his Quixotic loss, and forever also linked to Gordon Lightfoot, likewise died in 2023, in Harbor Springs, where his obituary recited from the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
“Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
“In the rooms of her ice-water mansion
“Old Michigan steams like a young man’s dreams
“The islands and bays are for sportsmen”
The “legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee.” The bell is still rung every November at a service of remembrance for all lost on the Great Lakes.
No one could save that doomed ship, but Gordon Lightfoot, Father Ingalls and a clear public act saved The Mariners’ Church of Detroit.
————————
Gregory L. Curtner is partner at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP. He is a former chairman of the Antitrust Section of the State Bar of Michigan and was the primary drafter of the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act.
COMMENTARY: Michigan Republicans need to rally around ‘Our Legacy’ movement
November 14 ,2025
Around a year ago, in the heat of the
2024 election campaign, The Wall Street Journal published a remarkable
column authored by the paper’s Chief Economics Commentator Greg Ip. When
it was released online on October 31, the column was titled, “The Next
President Inherits a Remarkable Economy.”
:
By Chuck Brown
Around a year ago, in the heat of the 2024 election campaign, The Wall Street Journal published a remarkable column authored by the paper’s Chief Economics Commentator Greg Ip. When it was released online on October 31, the column was titled, “The Next President Inherits a Remarkable Economy.” Published in the print edition on November 1, the column appeared as, “Gift for Next President: Sturdy Economy.”
Both headlines were accurate and descriptive. Ip described the rapidly rising U.S. GDP that at the time outpaced the world’s other national economies. Inflation, a notorious post-pandemic problem globally, was down to 2.7 percent. Productivity was rising; hours worked were rising; wages, which had fallen in relation to inflation from 2021-23, had finally begun to outpace inflation since mid-2023.
Just about a year later, the U.S. wallows in a tariff-chaos environment that is raising costs on auto manufacturers ($11 billion annually, per the Michigan-based Anderson Economic Group), crippling soybean farmers and “pressuring businesses to slow-roll hiring and investment,” (according to the Comerica October 2025 U.S. Economic Outlook report).
The power to impose tariffs is of course vested in Congress, not the President. But the current MAGA Congress hasn’t had demonstrated the courage to resist, or alternatively the recklessness to impose, any tariffs of their own.
Which brings us to a year from now. If historical trends hold true – an average loss of something like 20 to 40 House seats for the sitting President’s party in midterm elections – it will not be a MAGA Congress after 2026. Constitutionally barred from a further term, and confronted by a Congress dedicated to Constitutional order, the 47th President, then at age 80, may be one of the lamest lame ducks in modern history. And he will never appear on another presidential ballot.
Where, then, do Republicans go?
They return to conservative principles. Our Republican Legacy defines that renewed direction by advancing five core principles:
• Unity. We are the party of Lincoln, founded (according to many) in Jackson, Michigan to forge a union of states free of the scourge of slavery. We now stand against the extremes of both right and left that divide Americans by exploiting emotions of grievance, rage and conspiracy.
• The rule of law, grounded in the Constitution. We are pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, the glue that holds together our diverse country. We are a country of laws, not men. Our allegiance to the Constitution includes acceptance of the vote of the people, obedience to the decisions of our courts and support for the peaceful transfer of power.
• Fiscal Responsibility. Historically, our party has stood for fiscal responsibility. In recent years, Republicans have joined Democrats in abandoning that responsibility. The profligate explosion of our national debt isn’t making America great. It is weakness, and we are accelerating toward an end that will never make America great again.
• Limited government. Our party once stood proudly for free enterprise. Governmental control, which is the inherent mark of failing economies from the Soviet Union to the banana republics of the underdeveloped world, is becoming the new hallmark of MAGA Republicans. Tariff regimes, government ownership in private corporations, federal regulatory power used to extract media compliance and law firm subservience; Republicans should rightly stand in the front lines opposing all of it.
• Peace through strength. We have been the party of Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan, carrying the responsibility of defending the West against Soviet, now Russian, aggression. We support a national defense that is second to none, and we encourage reliable alliances among democracies that protect our international interests. We believe that a peaceful world depends on a strong America that is steadfast in opposing aggression of hostile regimes and is unwavering in our support for our allies. American alliances have been the absolute envy of our adversaries for more than a hundred years. Undermining them won’t make America great again.
The time is now for Michigan Republicans to get to work if they are looking for a future beyond MAGA. Our Republican Legacy is the principled, conservative alternative to MAGA. We offer an alternative to angry populism that fails economically and, as we witnessed in 2022 with three catastrophically failed MAGA candidates, decisively loses elections in Michigan.
Our Republican Legacy is organizing in all 50 states, very much including Michigan. We are encouraging candidates at all levels in 2026, with major focus on 2028 as well.
And it all begins now, with grassroots participation including Republican precinct delegate selection where you can make a difference with candidate registrations that begin in just a little over six months from now. We can rebuild a principled, conservative Republican Party that can win. But only if you get in the game with us.
Learn more, and join us at OurRepublicanLegacy.com.
————————
Chuck Brown is the Michigan chairman of Our Republican Legacy. A University of Michigan alum, Brown earned his juris doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. From 2000-16, he was an election day volunteer attorney for the Michigan Republican Party and the Republican National Lawyers Association. In 2024, he was a co-chair of Michigan Republicans for Harris.
Around a year ago, in the heat of the 2024 election campaign, The Wall Street Journal published a remarkable column authored by the paper’s Chief Economics Commentator Greg Ip. When it was released online on October 31, the column was titled, “The Next President Inherits a Remarkable Economy.” Published in the print edition on November 1, the column appeared as, “Gift for Next President: Sturdy Economy.”
Both headlines were accurate and descriptive. Ip described the rapidly rising U.S. GDP that at the time outpaced the world’s other national economies. Inflation, a notorious post-pandemic problem globally, was down to 2.7 percent. Productivity was rising; hours worked were rising; wages, which had fallen in relation to inflation from 2021-23, had finally begun to outpace inflation since mid-2023.
Just about a year later, the U.S. wallows in a tariff-chaos environment that is raising costs on auto manufacturers ($11 billion annually, per the Michigan-based Anderson Economic Group), crippling soybean farmers and “pressuring businesses to slow-roll hiring and investment,” (according to the Comerica October 2025 U.S. Economic Outlook report).
The power to impose tariffs is of course vested in Congress, not the President. But the current MAGA Congress hasn’t had demonstrated the courage to resist, or alternatively the recklessness to impose, any tariffs of their own.
Which brings us to a year from now. If historical trends hold true – an average loss of something like 20 to 40 House seats for the sitting President’s party in midterm elections – it will not be a MAGA Congress after 2026. Constitutionally barred from a further term, and confronted by a Congress dedicated to Constitutional order, the 47th President, then at age 80, may be one of the lamest lame ducks in modern history. And he will never appear on another presidential ballot.
Where, then, do Republicans go?
They return to conservative principles. Our Republican Legacy defines that renewed direction by advancing five core principles:
• Unity. We are the party of Lincoln, founded (according to many) in Jackson, Michigan to forge a union of states free of the scourge of slavery. We now stand against the extremes of both right and left that divide Americans by exploiting emotions of grievance, rage and conspiracy.
• The rule of law, grounded in the Constitution. We are pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, the glue that holds together our diverse country. We are a country of laws, not men. Our allegiance to the Constitution includes acceptance of the vote of the people, obedience to the decisions of our courts and support for the peaceful transfer of power.
• Fiscal Responsibility. Historically, our party has stood for fiscal responsibility. In recent years, Republicans have joined Democrats in abandoning that responsibility. The profligate explosion of our national debt isn’t making America great. It is weakness, and we are accelerating toward an end that will never make America great again.
• Limited government. Our party once stood proudly for free enterprise. Governmental control, which is the inherent mark of failing economies from the Soviet Union to the banana republics of the underdeveloped world, is becoming the new hallmark of MAGA Republicans. Tariff regimes, government ownership in private corporations, federal regulatory power used to extract media compliance and law firm subservience; Republicans should rightly stand in the front lines opposing all of it.
• Peace through strength. We have been the party of Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan, carrying the responsibility of defending the West against Soviet, now Russian, aggression. We support a national defense that is second to none, and we encourage reliable alliances among democracies that protect our international interests. We believe that a peaceful world depends on a strong America that is steadfast in opposing aggression of hostile regimes and is unwavering in our support for our allies. American alliances have been the absolute envy of our adversaries for more than a hundred years. Undermining them won’t make America great again.
The time is now for Michigan Republicans to get to work if they are looking for a future beyond MAGA. Our Republican Legacy is the principled, conservative alternative to MAGA. We offer an alternative to angry populism that fails economically and, as we witnessed in 2022 with three catastrophically failed MAGA candidates, decisively loses elections in Michigan.
Our Republican Legacy is organizing in all 50 states, very much including Michigan. We are encouraging candidates at all levels in 2026, with major focus on 2028 as well.
And it all begins now, with grassroots participation including Republican precinct delegate selection where you can make a difference with candidate registrations that begin in just a little over six months from now. We can rebuild a principled, conservative Republican Party that can win. But only if you get in the game with us.
Learn more, and join us at OurRepublicanLegacy.com.
————————
Chuck Brown is the Michigan chairman of Our Republican Legacy. A University of Michigan alum, Brown earned his juris doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. From 2000-16, he was an election day volunteer attorney for the Michigan Republican Party and the Republican National Lawyers Association. In 2024, he was a co-chair of Michigan Republicans for Harris.
COMMENTARY: King removes ‘Prince’ in a royal flush
November 14 ,2025
Snow White always believed that, “Someday My Prince Will Come.”
But
it won’t be Prince Andrew. If he does woo Snow White, it will be Mr. —
Mr. — Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, a commoner. No more prince. How Snow
White would react to this, we can only speculate. :
By Berl Falbaum
Snow White always believed that, “Someday My Prince Will Come.”
But it won’t be Prince Andrew. If he does woo Snow White, it will be Mr. — Mr. — Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, a commoner. No more prince. How Snow White would react to this, we can only speculate.
The British monarchy (read: his brother, Charles III) has taken steps to forbid Mr. Windsor from using the title “prince.”
Charles, Andrew’s older brother, is one tough royal dude. His latest action follows an earlier one in which His Royal Highness removed several other of Andrew’s titles:
Duke of York, had Andrew surrender “use of his honors” as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), which is awarded for service to the monarch and the royal family, and also the Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, which involves membership to the oldest organization of knighthood.
Andrew also will no longer use the title of Earl of Inverness, a title created in 1718, or Baron of Killyleagh, which his mother, Elizabeth II, established especially for her son on his marriage n 1986.
All we got on our wedding were lots of dish towels.
Andrew feigned gratitude because he really wanted an upgrade of his royal carriage used in ceremonies and parades.
We covered some of the above royal shenanigans with our usual respect in a previous column.
This royal “reorganization” all stemmed from the fact that Andrew, was involved in scandals related to the sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and a bunch of other royal no-nos.
But I wondered how do you remove a prince. After all, he is the son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who never lost his title. In making the announcement, Buckingham Palace explained:
“His Majesty is sending Royal Warrants to the Lord Chancellor to secure the removal of the Dukedom of York from the Peerage Roll, and the Title of Prince and Style of Royal Highness.” A prince oversees the Roll.
So, you ask, as I did, what is the Peerage Roll…I was ready for your curiosity.
The Roll of the Peerage is a public record that registers peers in the peerages in the United Kingdom, established by Royal warrant in 2004, to maintain an official record of peerage titles and their holders.
It would be a good reference book for Snow White.
Mr. Windsor — notice how quickly I transitioned from prince — is also being evicted from his royal residence, the Royal Lodge.
Now, that is one garage sale I plan to attend. I have these visions standing on my porch, overlooking my neighbors, wearing that red coat with all the ribbons and medals on my chest.
And that sword! It would not remain in the scabbard. I would brandish it in royal fashion, but instead of yelling, “My horse, my horse, my kingdom for a horse” like Richard III did, I would update that famous saying with, “My kingdom for an Uber.”
So where will Mr. Windsor live? At the Sandringham estate, in the parish of Sandringham, Norfolk, England, a 3-½-hour drive from London. It encompasses 20,000 acres with 150 properties. It is not clear which of those Mr. Windsor will occupy, but Charles, who owns the estate, we read, is expected to forego any rent. Brotherly love!
There is some more good and bad news. First, the good: Mr. Windsor still retains his rights to succeed to the crown, to be the royal top dog.
The bad news: He is eighth in line behind: Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Harry, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet. If each just sits five years in what is called the coronation chair, Andrew, now 65, would be 100 when named king. Presumably, they would remove some jewels in the crown to lighten it.
Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, also has lost her title and will be known as Sarah Ferguson — Mrs. Ferguson. Their two children, Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35, however, remain princesses. They will be royal daughters and outrank their father.
As we were doing research on this story in the Royal Library established by William IV in the 1830s in the Windsor Castle, we found the following letter from Oprah:
“Dear Chuckie,
“I am miffed you didn’t give me heads-up on this one. I practiced my shocked facials for nothing.
“Yes, I know I can interview Andrew. I did Harry but he was a prince. I’m not sure I want a commoner. Maybe I’ll just give him less time.
“Look, you have lots of other relatives you can royally exile, so to speak. I expect advance notice next time.
“If you’re in town, give me a call, Chuckie. Say hello to Camilla. People still compliment me on the dress I wore to your wedding. I remain disappointed though with my seating. I thought I would be right next to you and Camilla.
“But I’m sure glad you checked with me that I could attend on that date.”
“See you soon, Her Majesty Oprah.”
Now to the fundamental question: Can Charles really do this? Is it legal? In our extended royal research —I mean research on the royalty — we learned he can; it is legal and does not have to ask Parliament for approval. Consulting Parliament, Buckingham Palace said in its statement, “…would take up precious Parliamentary time, preventing Parliament from focusing on urgent national issues. The King is doing all he can within his own Royal Prerogative.”
Charles invoked the power he has sitting on his throne to clean the royal house. If only he could use it on the presidency in the U.S.
————————
Berl Falbaum is a veteran journalist and author of 12 books.
Snow White always believed that, “Someday My Prince Will Come.”
But it won’t be Prince Andrew. If he does woo Snow White, it will be Mr. — Mr. — Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, a commoner. No more prince. How Snow White would react to this, we can only speculate.
The British monarchy (read: his brother, Charles III) has taken steps to forbid Mr. Windsor from using the title “prince.”
Charles, Andrew’s older brother, is one tough royal dude. His latest action follows an earlier one in which His Royal Highness removed several other of Andrew’s titles:
Duke of York, had Andrew surrender “use of his honors” as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), which is awarded for service to the monarch and the royal family, and also the Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, which involves membership to the oldest organization of knighthood.
Andrew also will no longer use the title of Earl of Inverness, a title created in 1718, or Baron of Killyleagh, which his mother, Elizabeth II, established especially for her son on his marriage n 1986.
All we got on our wedding were lots of dish towels.
Andrew feigned gratitude because he really wanted an upgrade of his royal carriage used in ceremonies and parades.
We covered some of the above royal shenanigans with our usual respect in a previous column.
This royal “reorganization” all stemmed from the fact that Andrew, was involved in scandals related to the sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and a bunch of other royal no-nos.
But I wondered how do you remove a prince. After all, he is the son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who never lost his title. In making the announcement, Buckingham Palace explained:
“His Majesty is sending Royal Warrants to the Lord Chancellor to secure the removal of the Dukedom of York from the Peerage Roll, and the Title of Prince and Style of Royal Highness.” A prince oversees the Roll.
So, you ask, as I did, what is the Peerage Roll…I was ready for your curiosity.
The Roll of the Peerage is a public record that registers peers in the peerages in the United Kingdom, established by Royal warrant in 2004, to maintain an official record of peerage titles and their holders.
It would be a good reference book for Snow White.
Mr. Windsor — notice how quickly I transitioned from prince — is also being evicted from his royal residence, the Royal Lodge.
Now, that is one garage sale I plan to attend. I have these visions standing on my porch, overlooking my neighbors, wearing that red coat with all the ribbons and medals on my chest.
And that sword! It would not remain in the scabbard. I would brandish it in royal fashion, but instead of yelling, “My horse, my horse, my kingdom for a horse” like Richard III did, I would update that famous saying with, “My kingdom for an Uber.”
So where will Mr. Windsor live? At the Sandringham estate, in the parish of Sandringham, Norfolk, England, a 3-½-hour drive from London. It encompasses 20,000 acres with 150 properties. It is not clear which of those Mr. Windsor will occupy, but Charles, who owns the estate, we read, is expected to forego any rent. Brotherly love!
There is some more good and bad news. First, the good: Mr. Windsor still retains his rights to succeed to the crown, to be the royal top dog.
The bad news: He is eighth in line behind: Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Harry, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet. If each just sits five years in what is called the coronation chair, Andrew, now 65, would be 100 when named king. Presumably, they would remove some jewels in the crown to lighten it.
Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, also has lost her title and will be known as Sarah Ferguson — Mrs. Ferguson. Their two children, Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35, however, remain princesses. They will be royal daughters and outrank their father.
As we were doing research on this story in the Royal Library established by William IV in the 1830s in the Windsor Castle, we found the following letter from Oprah:
“Dear Chuckie,
“I am miffed you didn’t give me heads-up on this one. I practiced my shocked facials for nothing.
“Yes, I know I can interview Andrew. I did Harry but he was a prince. I’m not sure I want a commoner. Maybe I’ll just give him less time.
“Look, you have lots of other relatives you can royally exile, so to speak. I expect advance notice next time.
“If you’re in town, give me a call, Chuckie. Say hello to Camilla. People still compliment me on the dress I wore to your wedding. I remain disappointed though with my seating. I thought I would be right next to you and Camilla.
“But I’m sure glad you checked with me that I could attend on that date.”
“See you soon, Her Majesty Oprah.”
Now to the fundamental question: Can Charles really do this? Is it legal? In our extended royal research —I mean research on the royalty — we learned he can; it is legal and does not have to ask Parliament for approval. Consulting Parliament, Buckingham Palace said in its statement, “…would take up precious Parliamentary time, preventing Parliament from focusing on urgent national issues. The King is doing all he can within his own Royal Prerogative.”
Charles invoked the power he has sitting on his throne to clean the royal house. If only he could use it on the presidency in the U.S.
————————
Berl Falbaum is a veteran journalist and author of 12 books.
Legal People ...
November 07 ,2025
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce the addition of Aidan A. Maraachli as a senior associate in the firm’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group.
:
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce the addition of Aidan A. Maraachli as a senior associate in the firm’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group.
Based in Bodman’s Troy office, Maraachli represents clients involved in complex commercial litigation matters. Before joining Bodman, Maraachli served as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Magistrate Judges Curtis Ivy Jr., Michael J. Hluchaniuk, and Stephanie Dawkins Davis, Eastern District of Michigan. In these roles, he drafted opinions on all pre-trial matters ranging from jurisdiction and discovery to complex constitutional and commercial litigation claims. He also managed cases through litigation from discovery to oral argument.
Maraachli is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University. During law school, he volunteered as a student attorney for the Hazel Park City Attorney’s Office.
• • •
Goodman Acker announces the addition of attorney Arghavan Eftekhari and paralegal Ioannis Tassopoulos to its expanding legal team.
Eftekhari brings experience in both U.S. and Canadian legal systems, with a background that spans personal injury, community advocacy and immigration law. Her work has included supporting litigation teams, conducting research and engaging in outreach efforts to make legal information more accessible to the public.
A graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the University of Windsor, Eftekhari earned her Dual JD and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and eligible to practice in Canada.
• • •
Street Democracy proudly announces that its co-founder and Executive Director Jayesh Patel has been awarded the “Excellence in Homelessness Award” by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The award recognizes Patel’s leadership in addressing homelessness through legal reform and community collaboration.
Patel was honored for his pioneering work on functional sentencing and for founding and continuing to lead the Street Outreach Court Detroit (SOCD) — a court program designed to help individuals experiencing homelessness resolve legal barriers while connecting them with supportive services.
“Street Outreach Court Detroit proves that justice and compassion can coexist,” said Patel. “This recognition from MSHDA honors the collaborative spirit of our partners, judges, and advocates who believe in second chances and systemic change.”
Under Patel’s leadership, Street Democracy has championed equitable justice models that focus on restoring dignity, stability, and opportunity for people who are unhoused or living in poverty. Street Outreach Court has become a national model for problem-solving courts, blending human-centered legal practice with social support to promote long-term success. To date, Street Outreach Court Detroit has assisted 1,121 participants, closed 12,413 cases, and saved participants more than $1,735,439 in legal financial obligations.
• • •
The Michigan State Bar Foundation (MSBF) is pleased to announce its FY2026 slate of officers and the appointment of board members. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Foundation and is critical to ensuring the mission of the Foundation is fulfilled ethically, effectively and sustainably.
“Each individual brings a wealth of experience, dedication and leadership to promote the mission of the Foundation to increase access to justice and advance the administration of justice in our state,” said Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Bentley.
MSBF is pleased to announce the appointment of the following officers:
• President – Craig H. Luben, Miller Johnson
• Vice-President - Retired Judge Victoria A. Roberts, JAMS
• Treasurer - Richard K. Rappleye, R&I Associates
• Secretary – Thomas R. Behm, Gruel, Mills, Nims, & Pylman
New members of the Board of Directors include:
Heidi A. Alcock is the vice president of Strategy & Grants Portfolio for the McGregor Fund, a private foundation working to alleviate poverty in Detroit and Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, with a strategic focus on ending homelessness and chronic unemployment in Detroit. She oversees program strategy development and execution and oversees grant portfolio development.
Alcock has more than 27 years of nonprofit and public sector management experience working with Detroiters focused on community and economic development including as CEO of Michigan Community Resources where she served in a leadership role on the civic engagement team for Detroit Future City planning process, and eventually at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation as director of operations for the first Detroit Future City Implementation Office. She also worked as city planner at the City of Detroit City Planning Commission, formerly a staff division of the Detroit City Council.
Alcock has a master’s degree in public administration with concentrations in public and urban policy from Wayne State University.
Erika L. Bryant has been a Michigan lawyer for more than 25 years, with a solo practice in which she represents local non-profits, small businesses, and individual clients throughout metropolitan Detroit and beyond. She has served as a commercial arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association for more than 15 years. In addition to her private practice, she believes in serving the community, and currently gives her time to the State Bar of Michigan’s Board of Commissioners, where she currently serves as vice-president. Bryant is a past president of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, a past affiliate chapter representative, and past Region VI director.
Bryant has received recognition for her accomplishments, including the State Bar of Michigan’s and Wolverine Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Awards, as well as Presidential Awards from the National Bar Association. In 2017, she was recognized among Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Women in the Law.
Bryant earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School (1998), and her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Amherst College (1995), where she majored in Black Studies and Political Science.
Jason P. Klingensmith is the assistant general counsel at General Motors, where he is responsible for advising Company Leadership on all legal issues related to the Company’s North American operations, including litigation, regulatory, governance, risk mitigation, and policy. Prior to joining GM, Klingensmith spent 18 years as a commercial trial lawyer and deputy CEO of Dickinson Wright PLLC in Detroit, Michigan. His practice specialties included Commercial Litigation and International Arbitration.
Klingensmith earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
Lee B. Reimann is a CPA and an attorney who spent much of her career in real estate planning. She also believes in serving the community that has given her so much.
Reimann is a past president of Ingham County Bar Association; Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council; and Rotary Club of East Lansing. She previously served on the boards of Legal Services of South Central Michigan; Helping Women Period; and the Capital Region Community Foundation.
Jeffery V. Stuckey is a member at Dickinson Wright with assignments as regulatory and appellate counsel on matters involving commercial interests and regulated industries in the areas of gaming, insurance, telecommunications, energy, elections, tax, and business. His more than 40 year legal career includes key roles including law clerk to the Michigan Supreme Court and research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals. He served on the Michigan Board of Law Examiners and the State Bar’s Judicial Qualifications Committee.
Stuckey received his law degree from Notre Dame Law School. His work reflects a commitment to legal excellence and expanding access to justice.
The Michigan State Bar Foundation, established in 1947, provides leadership and grants to improve the administration of justice and increase access to justice for all in the civil legal system.
• • •
Kemp Klein was honored by Common Ground with the Kay White Legacy Award at the Celebration of Hope Gala. Ralph Castelli, CEO emeritus, accepted the award on behalf of the firm.
The Kay White Legacy Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership and commitment embody Common Ground’s mission to help move people from crisis to hope. Recipients demonstrate exceptional dedication through leadership, business expertise, volunteerism, and community engagement.
Common Ground is a nonprofit organization based in Michigan that provides critical crisis intervention and support services to individuals and families in need. The organization operates a 24-hour crisis and resource helpline, a crisis residential unit, and a range of programs offering mental health support, shelter, victim assistance, and youth services. Common Ground is also a key partner in the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, ensuring that Michiganders have immediate access to compassionate, life-saving help whenever they need it.
Kemp Klein is proud to be a Legacy Society Benefactor and an active member of Common Ground’s Circle of Hope. To date, the Kemp Klein Foundation has contributed more than $200,000 in pro bono legal services to support Common Ground’s vital work. In addition to the firm’s legal and financial support, Kemp Klien has partnered on several community initiatives, including the Adopt-A-Family program, The Ride 2 End Suicide, and multiple blanket-making and volunteer events that benefit individuals and families in need.
In his remarks at the event, Castelli shared, “We look forward to continuing our relationship with Common Ground as it continues to provide much-needed services to those in crisis. In two more years, that relationship will hit the 20-year mark.”
• • •
Honigman’s CEO and Executive Committee Chairman David Foltyn was recently featured by Crain’s Detroit Business in its “Who’s Who in Detroit Business” list.
Foltyn oversees the firm’s more than 350 legal professionals throughout Michigan, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. as well as a growing national client base.
Under his guidance, the firm has instituted strategies to become a leader in the marketplace. He has enhanced the recruiting functions of the firm and has implemented ongoing development opportunities for attorneys and business professionals.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that the firm’s litigation practice, along with several attorneys, is recognized in the Benchmark Litigation United States 2026 Edition.
In Michigan, Benchmark Litigation recognized Dickinson Wright as Highly Recommended for Dispute Resolution. Michigan attorneys recognized include:
Phillip DeRosier – United States (National) and Local Litigation Star
Timothy Howlett – United States (National) and Local Litigation Star
Brandon Hubbard – United States (National) and Local Litigation Star
James Martone – 40 & Under List, Midwest
Nolan Moody – 40 & Under List, Midwest
Daniel Quick – United States (National) and Local Litigation Star
Scott Petz – Future Star
Based in Bodman’s Troy office, Maraachli represents clients involved in complex commercial litigation matters. Before joining Bodman, Maraachli served as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Magistrate Judges Curtis Ivy Jr., Michael J. Hluchaniuk, and Stephanie Dawkins Davis, Eastern District of Michigan. In these roles, he drafted opinions on all pre-trial matters ranging from jurisdiction and discovery to complex constitutional and commercial litigation claims. He also managed cases through litigation from discovery to oral argument.
Maraachli is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University. During law school, he volunteered as a student attorney for the Hazel Park City Attorney’s Office.
• • •
Goodman Acker announces the addition of attorney Arghavan Eftekhari and paralegal Ioannis Tassopoulos to its expanding legal team.
Eftekhari brings experience in both U.S. and Canadian legal systems, with a background that spans personal injury, community advocacy and immigration law. Her work has included supporting litigation teams, conducting research and engaging in outreach efforts to make legal information more accessible to the public.
A graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the University of Windsor, Eftekhari earned her Dual JD and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and eligible to practice in Canada.
• • •
Street Democracy proudly announces that its co-founder and Executive Director Jayesh Patel has been awarded the “Excellence in Homelessness Award” by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The award recognizes Patel’s leadership in addressing homelessness through legal reform and community collaboration.
Patel was honored for his pioneering work on functional sentencing and for founding and continuing to lead the Street Outreach Court Detroit (SOCD) — a court program designed to help individuals experiencing homelessness resolve legal barriers while connecting them with supportive services.
“Street Outreach Court Detroit proves that justice and compassion can coexist,” said Patel. “This recognition from MSHDA honors the collaborative spirit of our partners, judges, and advocates who believe in second chances and systemic change.”
Under Patel’s leadership, Street Democracy has championed equitable justice models that focus on restoring dignity, stability, and opportunity for people who are unhoused or living in poverty. Street Outreach Court has become a national model for problem-solving courts, blending human-centered legal practice with social support to promote long-term success. To date, Street Outreach Court Detroit has assisted 1,121 participants, closed 12,413 cases, and saved participants more than $1,735,439 in legal financial obligations.
• • •
The Michigan State Bar Foundation (MSBF) is pleased to announce its FY2026 slate of officers and the appointment of board members. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Foundation and is critical to ensuring the mission of the Foundation is fulfilled ethically, effectively and sustainably.
“Each individual brings a wealth of experience, dedication and leadership to promote the mission of the Foundation to increase access to justice and advance the administration of justice in our state,” said Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Bentley.
MSBF is pleased to announce the appointment of the following officers:
• President – Craig H. Luben, Miller Johnson
• Vice-President - Retired Judge Victoria A. Roberts, JAMS
• Treasurer - Richard K. Rappleye, R&I Associates
• Secretary – Thomas R. Behm, Gruel, Mills, Nims, & Pylman
New members of the Board of Directors include:
Heidi A. Alcock is the vice president of Strategy & Grants Portfolio for the McGregor Fund, a private foundation working to alleviate poverty in Detroit and Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, with a strategic focus on ending homelessness and chronic unemployment in Detroit. She oversees program strategy development and execution and oversees grant portfolio development.
Alcock has more than 27 years of nonprofit and public sector management experience working with Detroiters focused on community and economic development including as CEO of Michigan Community Resources where she served in a leadership role on the civic engagement team for Detroit Future City planning process, and eventually at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation as director of operations for the first Detroit Future City Implementation Office. She also worked as city planner at the City of Detroit City Planning Commission, formerly a staff division of the Detroit City Council.
Alcock has a master’s degree in public administration with concentrations in public and urban policy from Wayne State University.
Erika L. Bryant has been a Michigan lawyer for more than 25 years, with a solo practice in which she represents local non-profits, small businesses, and individual clients throughout metropolitan Detroit and beyond. She has served as a commercial arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association for more than 15 years. In addition to her private practice, she believes in serving the community, and currently gives her time to the State Bar of Michigan’s Board of Commissioners, where she currently serves as vice-president. Bryant is a past president of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, a past affiliate chapter representative, and past Region VI director.
Bryant has received recognition for her accomplishments, including the State Bar of Michigan’s and Wolverine Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Awards, as well as Presidential Awards from the National Bar Association. In 2017, she was recognized among Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Women in the Law.
Bryant earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School (1998), and her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Amherst College (1995), where she majored in Black Studies and Political Science.
Jason P. Klingensmith is the assistant general counsel at General Motors, where he is responsible for advising Company Leadership on all legal issues related to the Company’s North American operations, including litigation, regulatory, governance, risk mitigation, and policy. Prior to joining GM, Klingensmith spent 18 years as a commercial trial lawyer and deputy CEO of Dickinson Wright PLLC in Detroit, Michigan. His practice specialties included Commercial Litigation and International Arbitration.
Klingensmith earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
Lee B. Reimann is a CPA and an attorney who spent much of her career in real estate planning. She also believes in serving the community that has given her so much.
Reimann is a past president of Ingham County Bar Association; Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council; and Rotary Club of East Lansing. She previously served on the boards of Legal Services of South Central Michigan; Helping Women Period; and the Capital Region Community Foundation.
Jeffery V. Stuckey is a member at Dickinson Wright with assignments as regulatory and appellate counsel on matters involving commercial interests and regulated industries in the areas of gaming, insurance, telecommunications, energy, elections, tax, and business. His more than 40 year legal career includes key roles including law clerk to the Michigan Supreme Court and research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals. He served on the Michigan Board of Law Examiners and the State Bar’s Judicial Qualifications Committee.
Stuckey received his law degree from Notre Dame Law School. His work reflects a commitment to legal excellence and expanding access to justice.
The Michigan State Bar Foundation, established in 1947, provides leadership and grants to improve the administration of justice and increase access to justice for all in the civil legal system.
• • •
Kemp Klein was honored by Common Ground with the Kay White Legacy Award at the Celebration of Hope Gala. Ralph Castelli, CEO emeritus, accepted the award on behalf of the firm.
The Kay White Legacy Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership and commitment embody Common Ground’s mission to help move people from crisis to hope. Recipients demonstrate exceptional dedication through leadership, business expertise, volunteerism, and community engagement.
Common Ground is a nonprofit organization based in Michigan that provides critical crisis intervention and support services to individuals and families in need. The organization operates a 24-hour crisis and resource helpline, a crisis residential unit, and a range of programs offering mental health support, shelter, victim assistance, and youth services. Common Ground is also a key partner in the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, ensuring that Michiganders have immediate access to compassionate, life-saving help whenever they need it.
Kemp Klein is proud to be a Legacy Society Benefactor and an active member of Common Ground’s Circle of Hope. To date, the Kemp Klein Foundation has contributed more than $200,000 in pro bono legal services to support Common Ground’s vital work. In addition to the firm’s legal and financial support, Kemp Klien has partnered on several community initiatives, including the Adopt-A-Family program, The Ride 2 End Suicide, and multiple blanket-making and volunteer events that benefit individuals and families in need.
In his remarks at the event, Castelli shared, “We look forward to continuing our relationship with Common Ground as it continues to provide much-needed services to those in crisis. In two more years, that relationship will hit the 20-year mark.”
• • •
Honigman’s CEO and Executive Committee Chairman David Foltyn was recently featured by Crain’s Detroit Business in its “Who’s Who in Detroit Business” list.
Foltyn oversees the firm’s more than 350 legal professionals throughout Michigan, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. as well as a growing national client base.
Under his guidance, the firm has instituted strategies to become a leader in the marketplace. He has enhanced the recruiting functions of the firm and has implemented ongoing development opportunities for attorneys and business professionals.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that the firm’s litigation practice, along with several attorneys, is recognized in the Benchmark Litigation United States 2026 Edition.
In Michigan, Benchmark Litigation recognized Dickinson Wright as Highly Recommended for Dispute Resolution. Michigan attorneys recognized include:
Phillip DeRosier – United States (National) and Local Litigation Star
Timothy Howlett – United States (National) and Local Litigation Star
Brandon Hubbard – United States (National) and Local Litigation Star
James Martone – 40 & Under List, Midwest
Nolan Moody – 40 & Under List, Midwest
Daniel Quick – United States (National) and Local Litigation Star
Scott Petz – Future Star
COMMENTARY: State should reject ‘repetitive sickness’ as a bar to physician disability claims
November 07 ,2025
Law, it seems, is
changing rapidly at the state and federal level. It can be difficult to
keep up with the transformation of entire areas of substantive law.
There is a kind of reordering of things, which includes revisiting established precedents to correct perceived legal errors in prior rulings.
:
There is a kind of reordering of things, which includes revisiting established precedents to correct perceived legal errors in prior rulings.
By John Joseph (J.J.) Conway
Law, it seems, is changing rapidly at the state and federal level. It can be difficult to keep up with the transformation of entire areas of substantive law.
There is a kind of reordering of things, which includes revisiting established precedents to correct perceived legal errors in prior rulings.
The Michigan Supreme Court has distinguished itself nationally by taking a measured approach. Although the justices are popularly elected, the Court doesn’t appear to be actively looking for ways to take up controversial issues. The Court has shown a willingness to reexamine precedent, however. One case the Court should look at is Nehra v. Provident Life and Accident Company, 454 Mich. 110 (1997) involving the interpretation of disability insurance contracts for professionals like surgeons.
If the case sounds unfamiliar, it is.
Even seasoned Supreme Court advocates hadn’t heard of it. Nehra is rarely cited and even more rarely followed. Most cases that cite it, distinguish it. Nehra is a decision that proves again the old adage that ‘bad facts can make bad law.’ The problem with Nehra – in addition to being a bad decision – is that it serves to undermine the long-term financial security of professionals in certain industries, particularly medicine.
In Nehra, the plaintiff, a dentist, filed an insurance claim with his long-term disability insurance carrier. His policy provided coverage in the event he could not regularly perform his specific occupation — dentist — if he became ill or he had suffered “injuries.”
The issue in Nehra centered on what constitutes an “injury” in a disability insurance contract. The contract in Nehra states that the term “injuries” means “accidental bodily injuries occurring while your policy is in force.” As contrasted with the term “sickness,” which under the contract “means sickness or disease which is first manifested while your policy is in force.” The contract did not define the term “accidental bodily injuries.” Nehra, 454 Mich. at 112.
In his application, the plaintiff listed “bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome” as being one of the causes of his disability along with “duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage.” His claim was approved, and he began collecting benefits.
The decision suggests that Nehra had not realized that his disability contract made a distinction regarding the cause of his disability. Under the contract, if his disability were a “sickness,” his monthly benefits would end at age 65. If his disability stemmed from “injuries,” on the other hand, he could receive benefits over a lifetime.
After collecting benefits for years, Nehra attempted to change the cause of his disability to “injury” from “sickness.” Nehra argued that his diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome was the result of a series of repetitive motion injuries that qualified him for the lifetime benefit under the “injuries” provision of his contract. The medical record on this point was seemingly underdeveloped.
Nehra’s claim was denied, and a lawsuit followed. The trial court dismissed his case, but the Michigan Court of Appeals reinstated it, finding there was an issue of fact as to the cause of Nehra’s disability. From there, the Supreme Court granted leave and reversed the Appeals Court reinstating the dismissal.
The Supreme Court reasoned that the case was governed principally by two statutes that have nothing to do with disability insurance. First, the Supreme Court looked to the provisions of the Worker’s Disability Compensation Act to determine the meaning of the word “injury.” The Court also looked to Michigan’s No-Fault Act to determine the meaning of an “injury.” The concept of a repetitive motion type injury was not supported by the Court’s reading of either statute. The Court found that an “injury” was a precipitating event that led to the claimant’s condition, not a pattern of micro-injuries over a sustained period of time.
Other courts have rejected this analysis. One federal court wrote that it had never heard of a “repetitive motion sickness.” Chapman v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of America, 555 F. Supp. 3d 713, 724 (D. Minn. 2021).
Nehra is not a particularly strong or persuasive decision, and upon closer examination, its underlying analysis is flawed.
Both the Workers Compensation Act and the Michigan No-Fault Act are statutes that regulate mandatory insurance systems. The two statutes cited mandate that individuals and businesses purchase specific forms of insurance, and the cited laws create a uniformity among huge segments of the state’s population.
A private disability contract is a contract that is voluntary and its purchase is discretionary. The terms that govern the contract are between the two contracting parties, and Michigan does not regulate the definitions that appear in a disability insurance contract.
The Nehra case is an outlier and makes little sense in our modern, professional world.
Here’s an example. Nehra is routinely cited to try to defeat the legitimate claims of surgeons who have suffered spinal injuries during the practice of their profession. Surgeons experience a significantly higher rate of spinal problems compared with the general population.
By some estimates, nearly 75% of all surgeons suffer from back problems. Some surgical specialties have a rate of spinal injuries as high as 65% of the entire occupational category. And this is a growing trend.
With the consolidation of medical practices, the specialization of surgical practices, and increased patient need, surgeons are seeing their caseloads increase. The more surgeons work, the greater the risk of injury to their own spines.
Compounding matters, surgeons work in physical positions where their bodies are contorted for long periods of time; further, they are required to wear equipment necessary to perform surgery, including magnetic loupes and heavy, protective lead aprons. Collectively, this contributes to putting pressure on the neck and back and often results in spinal injuries over time. Undoubtedly, their medical conditions are caused by “injuries,” not illnesses.
Nehra is a little known, rarely cited case; yet, it increasingly hangs out there as an impediment for legitimately disabled medical professionals within our state who entered into expensive disability contracts in the good faith understanding that their injuries (not just narrowly defined ones), would be covered.
Nehra is not good law, comparatively speaking, and serves little purpose to continue. The Michigan Supreme Court should give it another look and consider overruling it.
————————
John Joseph (J.J.) Conway is an employee benefits and ERISA attorney and litigator and founder of J.J. Conway Law in Royal Oak.
Law, it seems, is changing rapidly at the state and federal level. It can be difficult to keep up with the transformation of entire areas of substantive law.
There is a kind of reordering of things, which includes revisiting established precedents to correct perceived legal errors in prior rulings.
The Michigan Supreme Court has distinguished itself nationally by taking a measured approach. Although the justices are popularly elected, the Court doesn’t appear to be actively looking for ways to take up controversial issues. The Court has shown a willingness to reexamine precedent, however. One case the Court should look at is Nehra v. Provident Life and Accident Company, 454 Mich. 110 (1997) involving the interpretation of disability insurance contracts for professionals like surgeons.
If the case sounds unfamiliar, it is.
Even seasoned Supreme Court advocates hadn’t heard of it. Nehra is rarely cited and even more rarely followed. Most cases that cite it, distinguish it. Nehra is a decision that proves again the old adage that ‘bad facts can make bad law.’ The problem with Nehra – in addition to being a bad decision – is that it serves to undermine the long-term financial security of professionals in certain industries, particularly medicine.
In Nehra, the plaintiff, a dentist, filed an insurance claim with his long-term disability insurance carrier. His policy provided coverage in the event he could not regularly perform his specific occupation — dentist — if he became ill or he had suffered “injuries.”
The issue in Nehra centered on what constitutes an “injury” in a disability insurance contract. The contract in Nehra states that the term “injuries” means “accidental bodily injuries occurring while your policy is in force.” As contrasted with the term “sickness,” which under the contract “means sickness or disease which is first manifested while your policy is in force.” The contract did not define the term “accidental bodily injuries.” Nehra, 454 Mich. at 112.
In his application, the plaintiff listed “bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome” as being one of the causes of his disability along with “duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage.” His claim was approved, and he began collecting benefits.
The decision suggests that Nehra had not realized that his disability contract made a distinction regarding the cause of his disability. Under the contract, if his disability were a “sickness,” his monthly benefits would end at age 65. If his disability stemmed from “injuries,” on the other hand, he could receive benefits over a lifetime.
After collecting benefits for years, Nehra attempted to change the cause of his disability to “injury” from “sickness.” Nehra argued that his diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome was the result of a series of repetitive motion injuries that qualified him for the lifetime benefit under the “injuries” provision of his contract. The medical record on this point was seemingly underdeveloped.
Nehra’s claim was denied, and a lawsuit followed. The trial court dismissed his case, but the Michigan Court of Appeals reinstated it, finding there was an issue of fact as to the cause of Nehra’s disability. From there, the Supreme Court granted leave and reversed the Appeals Court reinstating the dismissal.
The Supreme Court reasoned that the case was governed principally by two statutes that have nothing to do with disability insurance. First, the Supreme Court looked to the provisions of the Worker’s Disability Compensation Act to determine the meaning of the word “injury.” The Court also looked to Michigan’s No-Fault Act to determine the meaning of an “injury.” The concept of a repetitive motion type injury was not supported by the Court’s reading of either statute. The Court found that an “injury” was a precipitating event that led to the claimant’s condition, not a pattern of micro-injuries over a sustained period of time.
Other courts have rejected this analysis. One federal court wrote that it had never heard of a “repetitive motion sickness.” Chapman v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of America, 555 F. Supp. 3d 713, 724 (D. Minn. 2021).
Nehra is not a particularly strong or persuasive decision, and upon closer examination, its underlying analysis is flawed.
Both the Workers Compensation Act and the Michigan No-Fault Act are statutes that regulate mandatory insurance systems. The two statutes cited mandate that individuals and businesses purchase specific forms of insurance, and the cited laws create a uniformity among huge segments of the state’s population.
A private disability contract is a contract that is voluntary and its purchase is discretionary. The terms that govern the contract are between the two contracting parties, and Michigan does not regulate the definitions that appear in a disability insurance contract.
The Nehra case is an outlier and makes little sense in our modern, professional world.
Here’s an example. Nehra is routinely cited to try to defeat the legitimate claims of surgeons who have suffered spinal injuries during the practice of their profession. Surgeons experience a significantly higher rate of spinal problems compared with the general population.
By some estimates, nearly 75% of all surgeons suffer from back problems. Some surgical specialties have a rate of spinal injuries as high as 65% of the entire occupational category. And this is a growing trend.
With the consolidation of medical practices, the specialization of surgical practices, and increased patient need, surgeons are seeing their caseloads increase. The more surgeons work, the greater the risk of injury to their own spines.
Compounding matters, surgeons work in physical positions where their bodies are contorted for long periods of time; further, they are required to wear equipment necessary to perform surgery, including magnetic loupes and heavy, protective lead aprons. Collectively, this contributes to putting pressure on the neck and back and often results in spinal injuries over time. Undoubtedly, their medical conditions are caused by “injuries,” not illnesses.
Nehra is a little known, rarely cited case; yet, it increasingly hangs out there as an impediment for legitimately disabled medical professionals within our state who entered into expensive disability contracts in the good faith understanding that their injuries (not just narrowly defined ones), would be covered.
Nehra is not good law, comparatively speaking, and serves little purpose to continue. The Michigan Supreme Court should give it another look and consider overruling it.
————————
John Joseph (J.J.) Conway is an employee benefits and ERISA attorney and litigator and founder of J.J. Conway Law in Royal Oak.
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