Litigation
Supreme Court Amends Discovery Rules
By: Christopher J. Ryan, Esq.On June 19, 2019, the Supreme Court issued an order amending multiple Court Rules in ways that will significantly alter the daily practice of attorneys engaged in civil litigation. 11 of the 16 rules contained in subchapter 2.300 (addressing discovery in civil proceedings) were amended. The amendments take effect January 1, 2020. This article highlights some of what
Religious Land Use Case Survives Summary Judgement, Heads to Trial
FBMJ client, River of Life Ministries, defeated a motion brought by defendant Clinton Township to have their claims under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) dismissed at a hearing in U.S. District Court on May 22. This follows River of Life previously obtaining land use approval and recovering $62,000 in attorney fees in costs in the case, which now likely will head
Supreme Court Declines to Hear RLUIPA Matter
The Supreme Court of the United States of America (SCOTUS) declined this week to hear an Ohio case that alleged violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA. That the Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals keeps in place a split among the circuit courts of appeal as to how to address RLUIPA’s equal terms claims. RL
Nicholas J. Tatro Joins Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC as a Senior Associate
Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC (FBMJ) is pleased to announce that Nicholas J. Tatro has joined the firm as a Senior Associate. Clyde M. Metzger, Managing Member, made the announcement.Nick’s practice focuses on environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, and defending against alleged violations of envir
2019 Michigan Non-Economic Damages Caps
On January 18, 2019, the State of Michigan Department of Treasury announced the 2019 Non-Economic Damages Caps for medical malpractice claims. Michigan has placed these limitations on the total amount of damages for non-economic loss that are recoverable in a medical malpractice action since 1993. The limitations are enacted by statute in MCL § 600.1483, which defines “non-economic loss” as d
FBMJ Client Prevails in RLUIPA Matter
FBMJ attorneys have been successful in recovering all attorney fees spent by their client, River of Life Ministries, in securing formerly denied land use approval to operate their church in Macomb County. The fees were incurred as part of their federal lawsuit, Dorman et al v Clinton Township, alleging violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA.In an 8-page o
COA: On Campus, (but) Off the Hook
On August 9, 2018, attorneys from Foley, Baron, Metzger and Juip scored a significant win at the State of Michigan Court of Appeals (COA) in the case of Abigail Schmitt v Genesys Regional Medical Center. The appeals court panel reversed a lower court’s decision and granted summary disposition to Genesys Regional Medical Center on the lack of ostensible agency between the hospital and an indepen
Fruchey Co-Presents “A Legal Perspective on PFOS/PFAS Contamination Issues”
FBMJ attorney Ben Fruchey co-presented “A Legal Perspective on PFOS/PFAS Contamination Issues” to the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM) on July 10, 2018. The presentation provided an overview of the physical properties, regulation and remediation of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with an emphasis on sites and regulation in Michigan. The presentatio
COA: If It Doesn’t Change Your Mind . . .
On May 3, 2018 the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its opinion in the matter of Teri Luten v Genesys Regional Medical Center, et al., one which may provide some ammunition to Defendants in attacking Plaintiff proximate causation theories, especially in cases involving “chain of command.” In a 2-1 decision, the panel reversed the trial court’s denial of the Defendant’s Motion for Summary
McGill and Cupples Co-Author Article for CLM – “Defending Carbon Monoxide Exposure Claims”
FBMJ attorneys Joe McGill and Jennifer Cupples co-authored “Defending Carbon Monoxide Exposure Claims,” published in the May, 2018 issue of CLM Magazine. The article focuses on winning a carbon monoxide exposure claim with a thorough investigation based on recognized scientific methodology.“Defending Carbon Monoxide Exposure Claims,” discusses key elements of a successful defense of carb