Michigan Lawyers Weekly

01/09/2026

A defendant that conducted a fireworks presentation on the Michigan State campus should not have been awarded summary disposition in a negligence suit brought by a student who suffered an eye injury, the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled in an unpublished decision.

The Michigan Court of Appeals revives a negligence lawsuit after a student suffered permanent eye injury during a fireworks show on Michigan State’s campus.

01/09/2026

A complaint filed by a plaintiff challenging the state’s withholding of interest under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act should not have been dismissed for lack of standing, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

The 6th Circuit rules a plaintiff has standing to challenge Michigan’s failure to pay interest on unclaimed property under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

01/08/2026

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced appointments to the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County and the 15th District Court in the City of Ann Arbor.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointments of Tanya Grillo to the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County and Magistrate Tamara Garwood to the 15th District Court in the City of Ann Arbor.

01/07/2026

The state’s revocation of an electronic wagering platform’s license under the Michigan Horse Racing Law (MHRL) should be not be enforced given the preemptive effect of the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA), the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

The 6th Circuit ruled Michigan cannot enforce its horse racing law against TwinSpires, finding the Interstate Horseracing Act preempts state licensing rules.

01/05/2026

A loan guarantor who was ordered to appear at a creditor’s exam should not be allowed to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, a Business Court judge has decided.

A loan guarantor who was ordered to appear at a creditor’s exam should not be allowed to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, a Business Court judge has decided.

12/29/2025

A law firm was entitled to dismissal of an employment retaliation suit on qualified immunity grounds because no clearly established law put it on notice that firing one of its attorneys under the circumstances would violate the First Amendment, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has decided.

The 6th Circuit ruled a law firm had qualified immunity in a First Amendment retaliation suit, finding no clearly established law barred the firing.

12/26/2025

An underground utility contractor’s failure to obtain a license under the Residential Builders Act did not preclude it from seeking payment for the construction of a pump station and related infrastructure work on vacant lots, a Business Court judge ruled.

An underground utility contractor’s failure to obtain a license under the Residential Builders Act did not preclude it from seeking payment for the construction of a pump station and related infrastructure work on vacant lots, a Business Court judge has ruled.

12/23/2025

A Business Court judge has decided to disqualify an attorney who engaged in a lengthy settlement conference without first obtaining the consent of opposing counsel.

A Business Court judge has decided to disqualify an attorney who engaged in a lengthy settlement conference without first obtaining the consent of opposing counsel.

12/19/2025

⚠️ Tomorrow is the nomination deadline for our Hall of Fame and Up & Coming Awards!⚠️

These awards recognize Michigan’s established legal leaders along with rising stars who have made an impact in their first 10 years of practice.

Nomination 🔗: https://bit.ly/4nHxocQ

12/18/2025

A former employee fired for alleged time-card falsification may pursue a retaliation claim under a “cat’s paw” vicarious-liability theory after the 6th Circuit reversed summary judgment for the employer and remanded the case for trial.

The 6th Circuit reinstated an ADA retaliation suit, holding that a supervisor’s selective reporting could support a cat’s paw theory of vicarious liability.

12/17/2025

A plaintiff seeking to recover unpaid expert witness fees in connection with a patent infringement case handled by a law firm has sufficiently stated a claim for unjust enrichment, a U.S. District Court judge has determined.

A federal judge ruled that an engineering firm’s unjust enrichment claim over unpaid expert witness fees in a patent case may proceed despite the law firm’s bid to dismiss.

12/10/2025

⚠️ Nominate by Dec. 20 for our Hall of Fame and Up & Coming Awards!⚠️

These awards recognize Michigan’s established legal leaders along with rising stars who have made an impact in their first 10 years of practice.

Nomination 🔗: https://bit.ly/4nHxocQ