Michigan Auto Law

Attorney Steven Gursten

Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law has been selected a Michigan Lawyer of the Year and has been voted consistently among the top 50 attorneys in Michigan (out of over 65,000 lawyers) by Super Lawyers.

Steven Gursten is the current President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Distracted Driving Litigation Group. He is a past-President of the Belli Society, the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, the AAJ Truck Accident Litigation Group, and the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. He has also been selected annually since 2018 as a JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award winner – Top Author in the Insurance category for his writing on Michigan’s auto No-Fault laws and insurance litigation. Steven Gursten speaks throughout the country every year, teaching lawyers on such subjects as trial advocacy, traumatic brain injury, truck accident litigation, and on maximizing auto accident settlements.

Auto accident attorney Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law has recovered the largest ever auto and truck accident settlement of any Michigan lawyer or law firm. He has also received the top reported auto accident and truck accident settlements and jury verdicts in Michigan over multiple years, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Verdict Reporter.

Attorney Lawrence E. Gursten

Lawrence E. Gursten’s legal career as one of the top car accident lawyers in the country spans more than 40 years. He is the founder of Michigan Auto Law. Larry started his career with the highest score on the Michigan Bar Exam, and continues to passionately advocate for victims of car accidents and truck accidents throughout Michigan.

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School
  • Graduated with high distinction
• Wayne State University
  • Graduated Cum Laude

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Association for Justice
  • Sustaining Member
  • Member – Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group
• Michigan Association for Justice
  • Past Executive Board Member
  • Past Chair, Auto Attorney Committee
• Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America
  • Past National Advisory Board Member

Attorney Thomas S. Baker

Tom has obtained substantial settlements and verdicts for his clients over the past 25 years, including a $2 Million settlement for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a semi-truck in Kent County. He also obtained a $1 million verdict in Huron County for a serious car accident in which the insurance company refused to pay anything for rehabilitation costs for the teenage auto accident victim. Tom was also named to Grand Rapids Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers for 2022.

Tom also has unique insights into settling cases and maximizing value for his clients, having started on the defense side at two respected insurance defense law firms. He has taken dozens of cases to trial and specializes in recovering unpaid and overdue medical expenses from No-Fault insurance companies.

Bar Admissions:

• State Bar of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Education:

• University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law – J.D.
• Hillsdale College – B.A.

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Negligence Law Section – State Bar of Michigan

Attorney Jordan A.W. Barkey

Within the past year Jordan has collected over $1.5 million in settlements for his clients including $250,000 in uninsured motorist benefits from a Monroe County accident. Jordan also wrote a brief which was awarded $825,000 through disputed arbitration for a case involving a roll-over auto accident.

Jordan has extensive experience representing hundreds of auto accident victims for first-party and third-party cases, as well as handling appeals, legal writing, and assisting on complex litigation cases. Jordan has also consulted with other law firms on significant cases, drafting complex appellate briefs and doing supporting research. Jordan has successfully appealed several orders in both state and federal appellate courts, even prompting a Michigan Court of Appeals panel to cancel oral arguments and issue a favorable opinion on the briefs alone.

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School – J.D.
  • Editor-in-Chief of Wayne State University Moot Court Program
  • Dean’s Scholar
  • Awarded second place Individual Appellate Advocate at the Arthur Neef Moot Court Competition
  • Semi-Finalist in Arthur Neef Moot Court Competition
  • Semi-Finalist in Wayne State University’s Law Day Moot competition
  • Served as Teaching Assistant in Contracts
• Adrian College – B.A.
  • Dean’s Scholar
  • Member of Theta Alpha Phi honors fraternity

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Eastern District of Michigan
• Western District of Michigan
• Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Attorney Todd C. Berg

As editor of Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Todd made sure Michigan’s most important legal news was analyzed and reported by managing a full staff of reporters, copy editors and designers. He also personally covered many of the state’s most pressing topics, such as Michigan Supreme Court rulings, the Michigan No-Fault law, and legislative developments that affected both Michigan courts and law.

During his practice in Illinois, Todd’s primary focus was on criminal defense. He was an attorney for the Illinois State Appellate Defender’s Office, defending indigents who were facing the death penalty. In private practice, Todd represented clients in criminal court as well as in child-protection and juvenile court. Todd has tried lawsuits before juries and judges, and he has argued cases in the Illinois appellate court.

Education:

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, IL
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Bachelors in Economics and French

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Michigan Association for Justice
• American Association for Justice
• Illinois State Bar Association

Attorney Jeffrey A. Bussell

Jeffrey A. Bussell has been an auto accident attorney in Michigan Auto Law’s pre-litigation unit since 2004. Jeff works closely with auto accident victims in the early stages of their lawsuits, helping them recover important No-Fault insurance benefits and making certain they receive the necessary medical treatment for a full recovery.

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, MI – Juris Doctor
• Wayne State University, Detroit, MI – Master of Business Administration
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI – Bachelor of Business Administration

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Association of Justice
• Michigan Association of Justice

Attorney Jordan M. Ewald

Jordan is an attorney in Michigan Auto Law’s litigation division, handling first-party cases for unpaid No-Fault benefits and third-party cases for pain and suffering compensation. She is committed to protecting her clients’ legal rights and helping them secure the best possible results in their cases. Jordan prides herself on making clients feel comfortable, being accessible to her clients and helping them understand the legal process.

Jordan’s legal career has been focused exclusively on helping people who have been injured in car, truck and motorcycle accidents, helping them recover the benefits they need to heal from their injuries and rebuild their lives and helping them hold negligent drivers and vehicle owners accountable for the harm they cause.

Bar Admissions:

• State Bar of Michigan

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School – Juris Doctor
  • Graduated Order of the Coif, Top 10% of Class
  • Note and Comment Editor of The Wayne Law Review 
  • Teaching Assistant to Professor Sarah Abramowicz
  • Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Outstanding Female Law Student Award Winner
  • Walter Nussbaum Award Winner
  • Women’s Law Caucus and Student Board of Governors Member  
  • Represented clients with Wayne State University Law School’s Appeal and Post-Conviction Advocacy Clinic in partnership with the State Appellate Defender Office
• University of Michigan – Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Screen Studies and Communications
  • Graduated with High Distinction
  • 4 Year Starter and 2 Year Captain of the Women’s Varsity Softball Team
  • University of Michigan  Difference Maker
  • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics A.O. Duer Award Winner
  • United States Representative at the Federation of International University Sports Forum

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Michigan Association of Justice
• American Association of Justice
• Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys

Attorney Brandon M. Hewitt

Brandon Hewitt is an attorney and the Chief Operating Officer at Michigan Auto Law. His top priority is ensuring the best possible client experience for everyone, from the initial consultation to the final settlement check. Brandon began his career with Michigan Auto Law as a law clerk in 2005 and he has extensive experience working at every level within the firm. Brandon is also an accomplished trial attorney, even holding the record for the largest pain and suffering jury verdict in Ottawa County history.

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School
  • Graduated Cum Laude, Top 15% of class
  • Sports and Entertainment Law Society, Vice President
  • Christian Legal Society, Vice President
  • Moot Court Invitee
• Ferris State University
  • Graduated Summa Cum Laude, Top of class
  • Golden Key International Honor Society, Chartering Officer
  • Ferris State University Student Government, Finance Committee
  • Ferris State University Honors Program, Alumni Keynote Speaker
  • Music Industry Management Association, President

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Michigan Association of Justice – Executive Board
• Michigan Association of Justice – Co-Chair: Autonomous Vehicles Committee
• American Association of Justice
• Center for Progressive Leadership
• Michigan State Bar
• California State Bar
• United States District Court – Western District of Michigan
• United States District Court – Eastern District of Michigan

Attorney Timothy A. Holland

Tim has successfully brought nearly 40 cases to trial, including multiple wrongful death and serious injury claims involving millions of dollars in damages.  His intimate knowledge of Michigan No-Fault law and insurer policies and practices allows him to obtain full compensation for his clients, including penalty interest and attorney fees from insurance companies that wrongfully deny benefits and cause harm and delay for his clients.

Tim attended Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon and clerked for Federal Judge Robert E. Jones (Author of noted treatise “Jones On Evidence”) on the 9th Circuit.

Before joining Michigan Auto Law, Tim was named Executive Partner of another state-wide firm (the youngest lawyer in the 100 year history of the law firm to hold that title), and he was a managing attorney of another.  He is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences throughout Michigan, teaching lawyers about litigation trial strategies and the Michigan No-Fault laws.

Tim is the father of a teenage son whom he shares his love of music, kung-fu, and video games with.  He lives and is actively involved in the Grand Rapids community.   He brings passion and experience to work for the injured people of West Michigan. 

Education:

• Lewis and Clark Law School – J.D.
  • Editor, International Legal Perspectives Law Journal
  • Editor and Research Assistant to Art LaFrance, Healthcare Law and Human Rights
• Western Michigan University  – B.A.

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Attorney Rick J. Houghton

Rick is an attorney in the firm’s litigation division. He prides himself on providing excellent client service, communication, and protecting the rights of injured auto crash victims.   Rick and Brandon Hewitt partnered to achieve a $520,000 Ottawa County pain and suffering verdict for a car accident — the largest in West Michigan in 2018.

Bar Admissions:

• State Bar of Michigan
• State Bar of Minnesota

Federal:

• • Western District of Michigan
  • District of Minnesota

Education:

• University of Minnesota School of Law, Juris Doctor
  • Cum Laude
  • Dean’s List
• Willamette University College of Law
  • Top 20
• Universita Commerciale Luigi Bocconi – Milan, Italy
  • Studied EU Law
• Michigan Technological University, Bachelor of Science – Marketing and Management

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Michigan Association for Justice

Attorney Christopher C. Hunter

Chris is a highly skilled trial lawyer who is fiercely devoted to his clients’ best interests. Since 1993, he has been focusing his practice on automobile accident injury and No-Fault cases. Chris is widely respected among the plaintiff and defense bar for his many trials. He has tried nearly 50 cases to verdict. Many of Chris’ trial jury verdicts have been chosen for publication in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and the Michigan Trial Reporter. Excellent trial results allow Chris to achieve faster and bigger settlements for his clients than the many lawyers who the insurance companies know will not take a case to trial.

Bar Admissions:

• State Bar of Michigan
• State Bar of Ohio

Education:

• University of Akron School of Law
  • Juris Doctor
• Alma College
  • Bachelor’s Degree

Attorney Thomas W. James

Tom has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in America for 2022. This honor is limited to the top 5 percent of all attorneys in America. He has also been selected to the Michigan Super Lawyers list since 2013. He obtained this recognition for his work advocating for his clients and volunteering within the legal community as an educator in the fields of trucking litigation and auto accident law. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement and is limited to the top 5% of Michigan attorneys.

Tom was also named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up and Coming Lawyer. According to the legal newspaper, Up and Coming Lawyers are attorneys who have been practicing for a decade or less, but who have already distinguished themselves from the thousands of other Michigan attorneys with their accomplishments. Tom was chosen for his extensive work as a trial attorney, as he had tried more than 25 cases, and has earned several multimillion-dollar, record-breaking jury verdicts for people injured in auto accidents within his first years of practice.

Tom was named a Michigan Association for Justice Pacesetter. This is a recognition that highlights noteworthy Michigan attorneys excelling in their fields. Tom received this award because of his work in the legal community assisting other attorneys in the field of No Fault and Truck collision cases. The Michigan Association for Justice is an organization of more than 2,000 personal injury attorneys who are dedicated to helping accident victims.

Education:

• Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan
  • Graduated with Honors
  • Dean’s List
  • Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business and Securities Law
• Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California
  • Master of Business Administration
• San Jose State University, San Jose, California
  • Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Michigan Association for Justice:  Executive Committee Member
• American Association for Justice:  Board Member of the Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway, and Premises Liability Section; Member of the Trucking Litigation Group
• Negligence Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan: Member
• American Civil Liberties Union: Member and Pro Bono volunteer

Attorney Jordan M. Jones

Jordan is dedicated to helping victims of serious truck accidents throughout Michigan. He prides himself on helping people after their lives have been shattered by unsafe truck companies. Jordan has a strong belief that the only way to make dangerous truck and bus companies safer is to hold them accountable for every injury and safety violation they’ve caused. Jordan also handles auto accident, bus, and motorcycle cases.

Jordan has achieved some of the top car and truck accident results in Michigan in recent years, according to published reports from Michigan Lawyers Weekly.  These include a $5.1 million Washtenaw County wrongful death car accident case, a $3.3 million Washtenaw County commercial vehicle accident, and a $2 million Oakland County head-on collision settlement.

Bar Admissions:

• State Bar of Michigan
• State Bar of California

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, MI
  • Juris Doctor, Cum Laude – Top 20% of class
  • Placed 2nd overall in a State Bar of Michigan writing competition
• University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Graduated with Honors

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Board Member, American Association for Justice Bus Litigation Group (2021 – present)
• Board Member, American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group (2020 – present)
• Broker Committee Co-Chair, American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group (2019-2020)
• Side Underride Guard Committee Co-Chair, American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group (2020-2021)
• Litigation Advisory Board Member, Institute of Continuing Legal Education (2019 – 2021)
• Michigan Association for Justice, member
• American Association for Justice, member
• American Association for Justice Minority Caucus, member
• Washtenaw County Bar Association, member

Attorney Alexander P. Kemp

Alex is an attorney in the firm’s litigation division. He’s dedicated to protecting and representing those who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents. Alex is passionate about holding negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable for their actions. Obtaining great results for clients, whether through trial or settlement, is what Alex believes will lead to safer roads and fewer victims of unnecessary car and truck accidents.

Recently, Alex assisted in a Bay County case that resulted in a $2 million settlement the week before trial was set to begin. The case involved a car accident victim who was rear-ended and sustained back and head injuries.

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, MI
  • Juris Doctor, Cum Laude – Top 20% of class
  • Dean’s Scholar (for recognition of high academic achievement)
  • Silver Key Award (for recognition of high academic achievement)
  • Commissioner, Mock Trial
  • TYLA Mock Trial Regional Champion (qualifying for the TYLA National Mock Trial Competition for the second time in school history)
  • Hon. Lewis F. Powell Mock Trial Award (for recognition of outstanding trial advocacy skills)
  • Book Award, Insurance Law
• Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science – Pre-Law
  • Dean’s List
  • Mock Trial Team, Outstanding Attorney Award
  • Pre-Law Society, Vice President

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Association for Justice
  • Trucking Litigation Group
  • Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group
  • Ride Share Litigation Group
• Michigan Association for Justice
• Negligence Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan

Attorney Richard A. Moore

Richard is an excellent litigator and trial attorney who has been handling cases under the Michigan No-Fault Act since 2013. He is committed to helping his clients through difficult times and holding those who caused these injuries accountable. Richard prides himself on helping his clients understand their insurance claims while also zealously advocating and protecting their legal rights.

Richard prides himself on treating every client with respect, honesty, and compassion. He believes that communication is the key to an excellent attorney-client relationship.  He works hard to always help his clients fully understand their legal rights and the litigation process. Richard strongly believes that great results follow from great communication. His settlements on behalf of his client show just how true this is.

Education:

• Michigan State University College of Law – J.D.
  • Magna Cum Laude
  • Member of the Journal of Business and Securities Law
  • Jurisprudence award, Business Enterprises
• Oakland University – B.A. Political Science
  • Dean’s List
  • Departmental Honors

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Michigan
• Michigan Association for Justice – member
• American Association for Justice – member

Attorney Kevin H. Seiferheld

Kevin has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in America for both 2021 and 2022. This honor is limited to the top 5 percent of all attorneys in America. He has also been selected to the Michigan Super Lawyers list since 2010. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The honor is limited to the top 5 percent of Michigan lawyers.

Kevin has been listed among the top 1% of attorneys throughout the U.S. by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. The recipients of this prestigious award have demonstrated the highest ideals of the legal profession.

Kevin is a graduate of the Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course®: Art of Persuasion course, offered through the National College of Advocacy at Harvard Law School. Recognized as the gold standard in courtroom persuasion training for trial lawyers, the event is sponsored annually by the American Association for Justice (AAJ).

Kevin came to Michigan Auto Law from a top Detroit area law firm, where he represented victims of serious auto accidents and medical negligence. By deposing and cross-examining some of the most prominent expert physicians throughout the country, Kevin has developed a vast knowledge of medicine from both the physician and patient perspective.

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Michigan Association for Justice
• American Association for Justice

Attorney Sunny K. Sly

Sunny works in Michigan Auto Law’s litigation and trial division. Sunny specializes in legal research and writing, drafting pleadings, analyzing medical records, and preparing for trial. 

Sunny prides herself on connecting with the people she is entrusted with helping. She always stresses communication and caring with her clients and making sure they understand the legal process, as well as guidance on receiving their No-Fault insurance benefits and helping them make sure they get medical bills paid and receive lost wages quickly.

Sunny has more than 10 years of experience assisting in litigation and trial preparation with a special emphasis on auto negligence and No-Fault insurance, as well as other types of personal injury cases.

Sunny’s #1 priority is making sure that the clients she helps get the best possible results. Her research is always thorough and comprehensive. Her writing is persuasive, compelling, and succinct. Her attention to detail is exacting. But it is her compassion with clients, as well as the comfort, support,and reassurance she provides, that the people who work with Sunny value most. 

Education:

• Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., Cum Laude
• University of Michigan, B.A. in English

Attorney Joshua R. Terebelo

Joshua R. Terebelo works in the law firm’s litigation division, where he focuses on No-Fault insurance lawsuits and helps auto accident victims receive their first-party personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School; Detroit, Michigan
  • Juris Doctor, Cum Laude
  • Recipient of Bronze Key Award for Academic Excellence
  • National Moot Court Team Member
• Michigan State University, James Madison College; East Lansing, Michigan
  • Bachelor of Arts – Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy
  • Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Vice President
  • University Honors

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Michigan Association for Justice
• American Association for Justice
• Oakland County Bar Association

Attorney Jeremy R. Tiedt

Jeremy Tiedt is a trial attorney with over a decade of notable litigation experience. Jeremy has handled all aspects of litigation in personal injury cases and has recovered millions of dollars for his clients including a $2 million award for a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. He has made a name for himself with his expertise and unwavering dedication to his clients.

Jeremy focuses his practice on being an advocate and counselor for our West Michigan clients. He works in our Michigan Auto Law Grand Rapids office.

Bar Admissions:

• State Bar of Illinois
• State Bar of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Education:

• University of Denver
  • Sturm College of Law, Juris Doctor
• University of Wisconsin – Madison
• Bachelor of Science, Double Major in Political Science and Behavioral Science

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Michigan Association for Justice
• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Attorney Jeffrey H. Feldman

A distinguished personal injury lawyer of more than 35 years, Jeffrey H. Feldman concentrates his practice in the areas of complex civil litigation involving serious injury and wrongful death. His case load is primarily referred by other attorneys, in the areas of complex events involving motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians; as well as product liability, medical malpractice, highway design and maintenance and premises liability.

Bar Admissions:

• Michigan
• Florida
• Wyoming
• New York
• Michigan Federal Courts
• U.S. Court of Claims

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School
  • Graduated Cum Laude and with additional academic honors Boston University

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Michigan Association for Justice
• American Association for Justice
• Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association
• American Arbitration Association
• Wayne County Mediation Tribunal Association