Overview
Mitch is a commercial trial lawyer and strategic advisor who focuses primarily on business counseling and litigation. Mitch leverages his legal and business acumen to pro-actively manage conflict and avoid litigation by identifying potential risks before they become issues. Mitch has extensive experience aggressively litigating business disputes, if it becomes necessary. Mitch is licensed in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, and has appeared in state and federal courts throughout the country, including jury and non-jury trials. In addition, he has represented clients in many arbitration disputes. Mitch also serves as chief legal counsel to a century-old Detroit-based stone company in which he supervises corporate governance and business policies and directly advises the board of directors and corporate officers on all legal matters.
Mitch earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, with minors in Philosophy and Law, from Michigan State University. Mitch earned his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from the University of Illinois – Chicago School of Law, where he served as a member of both the Moot Court Honors Council and the Executive Board, as production editor of the Law Review. Prior to joining McDonald Hopkins, Mitch worked as a law clerk for the Hon. James P. Flannery Jr., presiding judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, for the late Hon. John W. Darrah, of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. In addition, Mitch has attained accreditation in Negotiation and Entrepreneurship from Harvard Business School.
Mitch has been recognized by his peers for his professional achievements by being named to the Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list for 2023, which comprises less than 2.5% of eligible lawyers.
Representative Cases & Matters
- Second chair on federal criminal jury trial against the Department of Justice, involving charges for conspiracy to defraud the United Stated by filing false tax returns. Jury returned Not Guilty verdicts on all counts.
- Successfully briefed and defended national steel manufacturer at evidentiary hearing against Emergency Motion for Immediate Possession of Tooling filed by Tier 1 automotive supplier, which was denied by the court.
- Regularly review and draft contracts for business clients and advise on contractual issues and risk-transfer.
- Successfully obtained preliminary and permanent injunctive relief and monetary damages through the enforcement of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements.
- Obtained dismissal of all causes of action against business client, following a prolonged bench trial; awarded judgment on counterclaim for breach of contract.
- Drafted successful motion for summary judgment on behalf of commercial manufacturer in Utah state court on the issues of fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent nondisclosure, and breach of warranty.
- Successfully drafted and argued motion to set aside default seeking a judgment in excess of $250,000 against national general contractor client, on the bases of improper notice and procedural defect.
- Drafted successful motion to dismiss miscellaneous action in federal court seeking to issue and enforce subpoena against Fortune 100 client
- Successfully negotiated prompt payment of considerable outstanding invoices on behalf of corporate client and advised on contractual revisions so as to prevent further dispute.
- Drafted successful motions for summary disposition on the bases of lacking personal jurisdiction over individual and corporate clients
- Drafted successful motion for summary judgment in defense of legal malpractice matter
- Successfully voided and vacated, through motion practice and oral argument at multiple bench trials, a default plenary order of protection against business client on the bases of lacking jurisdiction and improper service of process
- Acted as outside general counsel for Fortune 50 Company with its Chicago business operations, including defense of 15 municipal code citations carrying exposure in excess of $100,000. Settled for $4,000
- Advised national utility and construction company throughout transition process from C-Corporation to LLC
- Obtained outright dismissals of multiple municipal code violations on behalf of national utility contractor against the City of Chicago, Department of Transportation
- Obtained directed verdict and costs for the defense in insurance fraud / bad faith counterclaim jury trial
Honors & Recognition
Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023)
Credentials
Education
University of Illinois – Chicago School of Law
Michigan State University
Admissions – Court
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Admissions – State
- Michigan
- Illinois
- Indiana
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
Detroit Bar Association
News & Insights
External News & Publications
“The Technology Revolution in the Construction Industry: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence,” Monograph, IDC Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 4 (2019).
“Contractor Freedom: Restatement 414 Requires Control Over Means and Ends,” Construction Law Cases, IDC Survey of Law (2019).
"The Wolf of Law Street: The Litigation Finance Industry and the Ethics of Investing in Justice." IDC Quarterly, Vol 28, No. 3 (2018).