What motivated you to become a trial lawyer? I was motivated at a young age to become a trial lawyer after my father was unfairly laid off by the railroad leaving him unemployed. He was fortunate to eventually get a job as a union employee with Ford, where he retired. I learned to appreciate the value of hard work and the importance of fairness in employment, which led me on the path to becoming a trial lawyer representing individuals discriminated against on the job.

When did you become a member of MAJ?  Why did you decide to join? I became a member in 2008. As an attorney with a small plaintiff’s practice, it is important to become connected with other plaintiff’s lawyers. MAJ provides a unique opportunity to build valuable relationships with other lawyers who also go against large corporations and insurance companies.

Why do you feel it is important for trial lawyers to be a part of MAJ? MAJ provides members with important resources such as relationships with other members, educational opportunities, list server, and legislative action. By harnessing these resources through MAJ membership, plaintiffs’ attorneys can level the playing field with our adversaries who have large firms, large corporate resources, and insurance money at their disposal.    

Why do you feel supporting the PAC is important? It is important to have the right individuals in office who will protect our civil justice system. The constitutional right to a jury trial in civil cases must be preserved. Legislation must be maintained and passed, which allows individuals to hold bad actors, such as large corporations and insurance companies accountable. My individual campaign contributions count, but contributing to the Justice PAC allows for my contribution to be combined with others to make significant contributions to those races most impacting the civil justice system. Like Helen Keller said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

What is distinctive about your practice?  And your firm? For the past 26 years, I have specialized in representing individuals in employment discrimination cases. Employment law can be unique and challenging. The cases are very fact specific. My firm is distinctive for being successful in representing individuals discriminated or retaliated against in employment.

What is your most memorable case? Amenson v Michigan State Police (Oakland County Circuit Court). My most memorable case was a jury trial from this year (2022) involving a disability discrimination case brought on behalf of a Michigan State Police (MSP) Trooper. MAJ Past President Debra Freid was co-counsel on the case. The MSP Trooper was forced to retire after 17 years of employment because he lost his sense of smell in an off-duty injury.

During trial, we successfully argued smelling was not an essential job duty of a MSP Trooper, but a tool, and the plaintiff had other tools, such as his years of experience and training to effectively perform his job. The plaintiff had economic damages of $1.4 million and also suffered emotional distress damages due to the loss of his career as a MSP Trooper. The jury returned a verdict in the plaintiff’s favor for over $6.4 million.

What was your most satisfying case? Battle v Hurley Medical Center (Genesee County Circuit Court). My most satisfying case helped remedy racism in healthcare. In 2013, I represented a 20-year neonatal nurse who was told she could not care for her patient (a newborn) based solely on her race. The case was the first of many brought by my office on behalf of African American healthcare workers discriminated against due to a patient request for care based on race.

The lawsuit brought nationwide attention, inspiring a New York Times bestselling book (Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult) and a segment on the Katie Couric show.

The case settled with a monetary settlement and an agreement by the hospital to undertake a “root cause analysis” of race discrimination at the hospital, the implementation of an Employee Advocate to specifically address race discrimination claims, and a joint statement by the parties regarding the resolution.

Please provide a brief description of your interests outside the practice of law. Outside of practicing law, my interests include volunteer service. I have served on several volunteer boards. Currently, I am a board member and Secretary for the International Action Network for Gender Equity and Law (IANGEL). IANGEL is an international network of lawyers dedicated to gender equity and justice.

I also enjoy spending time with my family, long walks on the beach, kayaking, golfing, reading, and sunrises.

Is there anything else that you would like to share? MAJ is an invaluable resource for any plaintiff’s lawyer at any stage of his or her career.