Firm News

Twenty-One Sommers Schwartz Lawyers Named to
Michigan Super Lawyers, Michigan Rising Stars and
Best Lawyers in America

Best Lawyers in America for 2011
Nine Sommers Schwartz lawyers have been named to the 2011 Best Lawyers in America for outstanding reputations and distinguished work in their practice areas. Read More

Michigan Super Lawyers for 2010
Sixteen lawyers from Sommers Schwartz were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in Super Lawyers for 2010 for their outstanding reputations and distinguished work in their practice areas. Read More

Michigan Rising Stars for 2010
Three lawyers from Sommers Schwartz were named as Michigan Rising Stars for 2010. Read More

Spotlight Attorney
Daniel D. Swanson

As a practicing attorney for over 30 years, Dan Swanson has successfully handled a wide variety of litigation matters, including employment law, where he has litigated discrimination claims, harassment cases, non-compete agreement disputes, breach of employment contracts, sales commission disputes, severance negotiations, Family and Medical Leave Act claims, Fair Labor Standards claims and whistleblower protection claims.

Dan primarly represents plaintiffs, but has also represented employers from time to time. He has additional experience in commercial litigation such as disputes between the owners of small businesses and breach of contracts matters. Associate, Jeff Pintar, recently sat down with Dan to discuss his legal career. Read More

Announcements
Introducing Our New Website

Sommers Schwartz is pleased to announce the launch of its new and improved interactive website. Check it out at www.sommerspc.com

Management Appointments
Sommers Schwartz is pleased to announce the following appointments to the Firm's management structure: Joseph Bourgon, a shareholder in the firm's business finance department, has been selected as its Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Bourgon will be responsible for strategic planning, operations and financial management of the Firm. Before becoming a shareholder at Sommers Schwartz, Mr. Bourgon had extensive experience as a commercial banker. Daniel D. Swanson was named Chairman of the Board of Directors. Swanson is a shareholder... Read More

Alternative Fee Arrangements
Justice is Still Accessible
in Troubling Economic Times

Lets face it, today's challenging economy is making times tough for those in the legal community and their clients. Nowhere is this more true than in the State of Michigan. Through the use of alternative fee arrangements, Sommers Schwartz is able to represent its individual and business clients in situations where the economic pressures would otherwise preclude the client from being able to preserve and protect its rights through litigation. Read More

If you would like more information about our alternative fee arrangements, please contact Dan Swanson or Kevin Stoops at (248) 355-0300.

Success Stories
Recent Settlements & Verdicts

$3,600,000 Jury Verdict
Attorneys Andrew Kochanowski and Jesse Young obtained a $3,600,000 jury verdict against a City for killing a landowner's deal to develop property.

$1,400,000 Settlement
Attorney Robert Sickels obtained a settlement of $1,400,000 in a medical malpractice case involving a 16 year-old boy who developed anaphylactic shock in response to an allergy shot that should not have been given. The severe allergic reaction to the shot caused a cardiopulmonary arrest in the doctor's office. Although the boy was resuscitated by emergency medical personnel, he incurred severe, global brain damage. The defendant doctor was only insured for one million dollars.

$1,215,000 Jury Verdict
Attorneys Scott Weidenfeller and Lisa Esser obtained a $1,215,000 jury verdict in Macomb County after a four week trial. The verdict was rendered on behalf of a 76 year old woman who suffered significant burns to her face and shoulder after a medical resident burned her. The medical resident was attempting to perform a cauterization procedure on her eyebrow, while she was on oxygen. Once he started the procedure, the oxygen ignited the flame which charred her entire face and shoulder.

More Settlements and Verdicts

Hot Legal News

Auto-Accident Victims Rights Restored:
Michigan Supreme Court Overturns Kreiner
in McCormick v Carrier

On August 1, 2010, the Michigan Supreme Court released Rodney McCormick v Larry Carrier and Allied Automotive Group, Indemnitor of General Motors Corp, a much anticipated opinion, which overruled the Michigan Supreme Court's 2004 decision of Kreiner v Fischer, and returned auto law to the way it was enacted by the Michigan Legislature in 1995. Read More

Community Endeavors

The Greening of Detroit

Detroit was once recognized as one of the first "City of Trees" for its lush landscape. However, over the years, disease and neglect wreaked havoc on our woodlands and parks, resulting in the loss of half a million trees. Therefore, on Saturday, May 15, 2010 Sommers Schwartz employees spent the day getting their hands dirty planting trees in a local Detroit neighborhood. Together with The Greening of Detroit and hundreds of local volunteers they planted over 100 trees. Read More.

To learn more about The Greening of Detroit and how you can get involved please visit their website at www.greeningofdetroit.com

Sommers Schwartz Golf Outing

Benefits Orchards Children's Services

Giving back to the community while enjoying a round of golf is a rewarding and worthwhile experience. On August 30, 2010, SommersSchwartz employees, along with other distinguished attendees, did just that as the firm held a golf outing to benefit Orchards Children's Services. Read More

In This Issue

Spotlight Attorney

Firm Announcements

Alternative Fees

Settlements & Verdicts

Hot Legal News

Community Endeavors

Golf Outing

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