Representative Cases

Notable Results

Unanimous Supreme Court Win in A Catastrophic Injury Trucking Case: On Leave Granted, the Supreme Court decided a novel issue of Michigan law in favor of Mr. Diemer’s client. The Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion resulted in total exoneration of the client who was held entitled to summary disposition under a legal theory of first impression. McMaster v DTE, 509 Mich 423; 984 NW2d 91 (2022).
Appellate Reversal of Order Certifying Class of More Than 16,000 Claimants: Jacobs and Diemer were hired to contest a District Court’s Order that certified the claims of more than 16,000 current and former prisoners to be tried as a class action against Wayne County. Obtaining a reversal of the class certification decision presented two significant hurdles: (1) interlocutory review is disfavored in the federal system, and (2) the order appealed from was reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Jacobs and Diemer overcame both obstacles as the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Granted the Interlocutory Petition for Permission to Appeal and then later Reversed the Order Certifying the Class, without exception and without an opportunity to re-formulate the class on remand. Woodall v Wayne County, unpublished opinion of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, issued November 17, 2021 (Case No. 20-1705).
Even before a judgment was entered, Tim Diemer leveraged a novel legal theory to successfully persuade the trial court to overturn a jury verdict exceeding $5.5 million against a trucking company and its driver. His innovative approach rendered an appeal unnecessary, as the trial court granted a new trial based on his compelling motion upon entry of judgment. Dean v S.A. Express Inc., unpublished opinion and order of the Wayne Circuit Court, issued April 10, 2024 (Case No. 20-005442-NI).
Summary Judgment Granted in Favor of Policy Holder on Duty to Defend; Costs, Attorney’s Fees and Penalty Interest Awarded: When a municipality was faced with a civil rights lawsuit for money damages, it faced the additional, daunting prospect of defending the claim without any liability insurance protections. After the city’s insurer carrier declined to cover the claim, Tim Diemer was hired to pursue a breach of contract and declaratory judgment action in federal court. After a year and a half of litigation, the carrier was compelled to live up to its insurance commitments by the grant of summary judgment in favor of the municipality, which also required reimbursement of the city’s out-of-pocket defense costs coupled with an award of penalty interest. City of Grosse Pointe v. U.S. Specialty Ins. Co., Case No. 18-cv-13428 (ED Mich, Sep. 24, 2020).
Successful Reversal of Judgment With More Than $2 Billion At Stake: When a major American company was tagged with a multi-billion dollar exposure in a major health care regulatory matter, Mr. Jacobs was retained to seek a reversal of this staggering liability. Mr. Jacobs′ appeal resulted in the “bet the company” judgment being completely wiped off the books as the Michigan Appellate Courts vacated the award. The staggering liability was completely eliminated when John Jacobs was Lead Counsel. See In re 1987 88 Medical Doctor Provider Class Plan, 203 Mich App 707; 514 NW2d 471 (1994), lv den, 448 Mich 869, 530 NW2d 748 (1995).
$20 Million Wrongful Death Verdict Eliminated, New Trial Ordered: The elimination of this enormous verdict owes to Mr. Jacobs′ active participation in the early stages of this trial, beginning with jury selection where the error that ultimately compelled a reversal in the Michigan Supreme Court was committed. Mr. Jacobs worked hand in hand with the trial attorney to preserve the issue that ultimately carried the day in the Supreme Court of Michigan, which held that plaintiff’s counsel and the trial court committed a constitutional error by using race as a criterion during the jury selection process. The benefit of Mr. Jacobs′ early involvement in this case is further reflected in his fleshing out of the error during post-trial motions where the trial court made a number of inflammatory statements on the record, which were used to help convince the Supreme Court to reverse the $20 million judgment. See Pellegrino v Ampco Sys Parking, 486 Mich 330; 785 NW2d 45 (2010).
$38 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict Vacated on Appeal: Mr. Jacobs’ vigorous advocacy on behalf of an OB-GYN who specialized in high-risk labor and deliveries resulted in the Supreme Court of Michigan ultimately vacating the jury verdict and compelling entry of a Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict. The judgment was staggering but ultimately held to have been predicated on an invalid causation theory that did not pass the requisite Davis-Frye standard for admissibility. For this appellate reversal, Mr. Jacobs was honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as “Lawyer of the Year.” See Craig v. Oakwood Hospital, 471 Mich 67; 684 NW2d 296 (2004). Click here to read the profile of Mr. Jacobs′ published by Michigan Lawyers Weekly which named him a Lawyer of the Year for his reversal in the Craig decision.

Other Matters

Petitions for Certiorari in the Supreme Court of the United States

Elia v. Gonzales, U.S. 126 S. Ct. 2019; 164 L. ed. 2d 779 (2006)
Production Finishing Company v. Shields, 488 U.S. 955, 109 S. Ct. 392, 102 L. ed. 2d 381 (1988)
Awrey v. Progressive Insurance Company, 474 U.S. 920, 106 S. Ct. 250, 88 L ed. 2d 258 (1985)
E.R. Squibb & Sons, Inc. v. Abel, 469 U.S. 833, 105 S. Ct. 123, 83 L ed. 2d 65 (1984)
Cramer v. Metropolitan Savings & Loan, Inc., 436 U.S. 958, 98 S. Ct 3072, 57 L. ed. 2d 1123 (1978)

Federal Appellate Cases

Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula v Peninsula Township, Docket No. 22-1534 (6th Cir 2022)
Smith v Brea Property Management, 490 Fed Appx 682 (6th Cir 2012)
Kawecki v. County of Macomb, 367 F Supp 2d 1137 (DC Mich 2005); 312 Fed. Appx. 752 (6th Cir. 2009)
Sloan v. Finsilver Associates, Inc., 208 F. Supp 2d 744 (DC Mich 2002)
Jackson v. American Building Maintenance Co., 203 F. Supp 2d 801 (DC Mich 2002)
Sloan v. Finsilver Assoc., 211 F. 3d 1270 (6th Cir 2000)
Coregis v. Hamtramck, 12 F Supp 2d 650 (DC Mich 1998)

State Appellate Cases

Rector v Pulaski, Court of Appeals No. 348759 (December 22, 2020)
Pederson v Meijer Stores, Inc, Court of Appeals No. 348684 (May 1, 2019)
Watland v Dearborn Surgery Center, Court of Appeals No. 331563 (December 26, 2017)
Pellegrino v AMPCO System Parking, 486 Mich 330; 785 NW2d 45 (2010)
DaimlerChrysler Corp. v. Wesco Distribution, Inc., 281 Mich App 240; 760 NW2d 828 (2008)
Zaremba Equip., Inc. v. Harco Nat’l Ins. Co., 280 Mich App 16; 761 NW2d 151 (2008)
Angott v. Chubb Ins Co, 270 Mich App 465; 717 NW2d (3415) (2006)
Hashem v. Les Stanford Oldsmobile Inc., 266 Mich App 61; 697 NW2d 558 (2005)
Craig v. Oakwood Hospital, 471 Mich 67; 684 NW2d 296 (2004)
English v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield, 263 Mich App 449; 688 NW2d 523 (2004)
Mann v. Shusteric Enterprise Inc., 470 Mich 320; 683 NW2d 573 (2004)
Valcaniant v. Detroit Edison Co., 470 Mich 82, 679 NW2d 689 (2004)
Veltman v. Detroit Edison, 261 Mich App. 685; 683 NW2d 707 (2004)
Auito v. Detroit Edison Co., 2004 WL 1254193
Stamplis v. St. John Health Care System, Inc., 2004 WL 1198250
Morales v. Auto Owners Ins Co, 469 Mich 487 672 NW2d 849 (2003)
Hurt and Hicks v. Michael’s Food Center, 249 Mich App 687, 644 NW2d 387 (2002)
Durcon Corp. v. Detroit Edison, 250 Mich App 553; 655 NW2d 304 (2002)
Travelers Ins. Co v. Detroit Edison Co., 465 Mich 185; 631 NW2d 733 (2001)
Powell v. St. John Hospital Corp., 241 Mich App 641; 614 NW2d 666 (2000)
McDougall v. Schanz, 461 Mich 15;597 NW2d 148 (1999)
Mudge v. Macomb County, 458 Mich 87; 580 NW2d 845 (1998)
Matthews v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, 456 Mich 356; 572 NW2d 603 (1998)
Gelman Sciences, Inc v. Freeman’s Fund Ins Co, 183 Mich App 445; 455 NW2d 328 (1998)
Paul v. Lee, 455 Mich 204; 568 NW2d 510 (1997)
Poffenbarger v. Kaplan, 224 Mich App 1; 568 NW2d 131 (1997)
Hurt and Hicks v. Michael’s Food Center, Inc, 220 Mich App 169; 559 NW2d 660 (1997)
Dresden v. Detroit Macomb Hospital Corp, 218 Mich App 292; 553 NW2d 387 (1996)
Heinz v. The Chicago Road Investment Co, 216 Mich App 289; 549 NW2d 47 (1996)
Scots Ventures v. Hayes Township, 212 Mich App 530; 537 NW2d 610 (1995)
Lakeshore Community Hospital v. George Perry, 212 Mich App 396; 538 NW2d 24 (1995)
Wischmeyer v. Schanz, 449 Mich 469; 536 NW2d 760 (1995)
In the Matter of the Appeal of the 1987-88 Medical Doctor Provider Class Plan
Determination Report Pursuant to 1980 P.A. 350, 203 Mich App 707; 514 NW2d 471 (1994)
Skinner v. Square D Co., 445 Mich 153; 516 NW2d 475 (1994)
Isbell v. Brighton Area Schools, 199 Mich App 188; 500 NW2d 748 (1993)
Admiral Ins Co v. Columbia Casualty Ins Co, 194 Mich App 300; 486 NW2d 351 (1992)
Domako v. Rowe, 438 Mich 347; 475 NW2d 30 (1992)
Atlanta Int’l Ins Co v. Bell, 438 Mich 512; 475 NW2d 294 (1991)
Auto Owners Ins Co v. Winter, 188 Mich App 230; 469 NW2d 314 (1991)
Shields v. Reddo, 432 Mich 761; 443 NW2d 145 (1989)
Gianetti Bros Constr Co v. City of Pontiac, 175 Mich App 442; 438 NW2d 313 (1989)
American Casualty Co. v. Costello, 174 Mich App 1; 435 NW2d 760 (1989)
May v. William Beaumont Hosp, 180 Mich App 728; 448 NW2d 497 (1989)
Gracey v. Grosse Pointe Farms Clerk, 182 Mich App 193; 452 NW2d 471 (1989)
Michigan Mut. Ins. Co. v. CNA Ins. Companies, 181 Mich App 376; 448 NW2d 854 (1989)
Glazier v. Lee, 171 Mich App 216; 429 NW2d 857 (1988)
Baltrusaitis v. Cook, 174 Mich App 180; 435 NW2d 417 (1988)
McNeil v. Caro Community Hosp, 167 Mich App 492; 423 NW2d 241 (1988)
American Employers Ins Co v. Medical Protective Co, 165 Mich App 657; 419 NW2d 447 (1988)
McManus v. St. Joseph Mercy Hosp. Corp., 167 Mich App 432; 423 NW2d 217 (1988)
Matter of O’Brien, 430 Mich 323; 422 NW2d 685 (1988)
Riley v. Richards, 428 Mich 198; 404 NW2d 618 (1987)
In re: Contempt of Dougherty, 429 Mich 81; 413 NW2d 392 (1987)
Granger v. Fruehauf Corp., 429 Mich 1; 412 NW2d199 (1987)
Production Finishing Corp. v. Shields, 158 Mich App 479; 405 NW2d 171 (1987)
Ravery v. Reed, 163 Mich App 447; 415 NW2d 240 (1987)
Trpcevski v Kelley, 158 Mich App 148; 404 NW2d 642 (1986)
Gage v. Ford Motor Co, 423 Mich 250; 377 NW2d 709 (1985)
Kubiak v. Hurr, 143 Mich App 465; 372 NW2d 341 (1985)
Hobrla v. Glass, 143 Mich App 616; 372 NW2d 630 (1985)
Ross v. Consumer Power Co., 420 Mich 567; 363 NW2d 641 (1985)
Miller v. C.A. Muer Corp., 420 Mich 355; 362 NW2d 650 (1984)
Young v. Everlock Taylor Corp., 137 Mich App 799; 359 NW2d 213 (1984)
McCarthy v. Belcher, 128 Mich App 344; 340 NW2d 848 (1983)
Cramer v. Metropolitan Savings Ass’n, 125 Mich App 664; 337 NW2d 264 (1983)
Cramer v. Metropolitan Savings Ass’n, 136 Mich App 387; 357 NW2d 51 (1983)
Gardner v. McDonagh, 124 Mich App 253; 333 NW2d 568 (1983)
Avery v. American Honda Motor Car Corp, 120 Mich App 222; 327 NW2d 447 (1982)
Ingraham v. Interstate Motor Freight Sys, Inc, 115 Mich App 559; 321 NW2d 731 (1982)
Veselenak v. Smith, 414 Mich 567; 327 NW2d 261 (1982)
Allstate Insurance Co. v. Citizens Ins. Co. of America, 118 Mich App 594; 325 NW2d 505 (1982)
Swindlehurst v. Resistance Welder Corp, 110 Mich App 693; 313 NW2d 191 (1981)
Reiterman v. Westinghouse, Inc, 106 Mich App 698; 308 NW2d 612 (1981)
DeGrazia v. Johnson, 105 Mich App 356; 306 NW2d 512 (1981)
Sanderfer v. Mt Clemens Gen Hosp, 105 Mich App 458; 306 NW2d 322 (1981)
Burnett v. Mackworth G. Rees, Inc., 109 Mich App 547; 311 NW2d 417 (1981)
Great American Ins Co v. Queen, 410 Mich 73; 300 NW2d 895 (1980)
Smith v. E R Squibb & Sons, Inc, 405 Mich 79; 273 NW2d 476 (1979)
Yoder Co v. Liberty Mut Ins Co, 92 Mich App 386; 284 NW2d 810 (1979)
McElmurry v. Nine, 89 Mich App 290; 279 NW2d 301 (1979)
Monfils v. City of Sterling Heights, 84 Mich App 330; 269 NW2d 588 (1978)
Callahan v. William Beaumont Hosp, 400 Mich 177; 254 NW2d 31 (1977)
Johnson v. City of Detroit, 79 Mich App 295; 261 NW2d 295 (1977)
Belfry v. Anthony Pools, 80 Mich App 118 (1977)
Fireman’s Fund American Ins Co v. General Electric Co, 74 Mich App 318 (1977)
Marquard & Karafilis, Inc. v. Detroit Osteopathic Hospital Corporation, 77 Mich App 728 (1977)
Crews v. General Motors Corp, 400 Mich 208 (1977)
Lanczyki v. Providence Hosp, 77 Mich App 732 (1977)
Burr v. William Beaumont Hosp., 67 Mich App 415; 241 NW2d 736 (1976)
Turner v. General Motors Corp., Fisher Body Plant, 70 Mich App 532; 246 NW2d 631 (1976)
Federoff v. Meyer Weingarden & Sons, Inc, 60 Mich App 382 (1975)
Smith v. Bordelove, 63 Mich App 384 (1975)
Hunter v. Doe, 61 Mich App 465 (1975)
Gellenbeck v. Sears Roebuck & Co, 59 Mich App 339 (1975)
Kujawski v. General Motors Corp, 56 Mich App 533 (1974)
Wilson v. Al-Huribi, 55 Mich App 95; 222 NW2d 49 (1974)
Hammond v. Weiss, 46 Mich App 717; 208 NW2d 578 (1973)
English v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, 263 Mich. App. 449, 688 NW2d 523 (2004)
Stamplis v. St. John Health Care Sysytem, Inc., 2004 WL 1198250
Auito v. Detroit Edison Co., 2004 WL 1254193
Craig v. Oakwood Hospital, 471 Mich 67; 684 NW2d 296 (2004)
Komajda v. Wackenhut Corp, 2002 WL 181765
Moceri v. Barretto, 2000 WL 3343225
Goldstein v Progressive Cas. Ins. Co., 218 Mich App 105; 553 NW2d 353 (1996)
Morales v. Auto Owners Ins Co, 469 Mich 487; 672 NW2d 849 (2003)
Skinner v Square D Co., 445 Mich 153; 516 NW2d 475 (1994)
Domako v Rowe, 438 Mich 347 475 NW2d 30 (1992)
Gracey v Grosse Pointe Farms Clerk, 182 Mich App 193; 452 NW2d 471 (1989)
Michigan Mut. Ins. Co. v CNA Ins. Companies, 181 Mich App 376; 448 NW2d 854 (1989)
McManus v St. Joseph Mercy Hosp. Corp., 167 Mich App 432; 423 NW2d 217 (1988)
Matter of O′Brien, 430 Mich 323; 422 NW2d 685 (1988)
In re: Contempt of Dougherty, 429 Mich 81; 413 NW2d 392 (1987)
Granger v Fruehauf Corp., 429 Mich 1; 412 NW2d199 (1987)
Production Finishing Corp. v Shields, 158 Mich App 479; 405 NW2d 171 (1987)
Riley v Richards, 428 Mich 198; 404 NW2d 618 (1987);
Hobrla v Glass, 143 Mich App 616; 372 NW2d 630 (1985)
Ross v Consumer Power Co., 420 Mich 567; 363 NW2d 641 (1985)
Miller v C.A. Muer Corp., 420 Mich 355; 362 NW2d 650 (1984)
Young v Everlock Taylor Corp., 137 Mich App 799; 359 NW2d 213 (1984)
Allstate Insurance Co. v Citizens Ins. Co. of America, 118 Mich App 594; 325 NW2d 505 (1982)
Burnett v Mackworth G. Rees, Inc., 109 Mich App 547; 311 NW2d 417 (1981)
Pearsall v Williams, 93 Mich App 231; 285 NW2d 806 (1979)
Copeman v Line, 90 Mich App 45; 282 NW2d 235 (1979)
Kujawski v Cohen, 83 Mich App 239; 268 NW2d 358 (1978)
Turner v General Motors Corp., Fisher Body Plant, 70 Mich App 532; 246 NW2d 631 (1976)
Burr v William Beaumont Hosp., 67 Mich App 415; 241 NW2d 736 (1976)
Hammond v Weiss, 46 Mich App 717; 208 NW2d 578 (1973)

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