Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP | Professionals

Represents publicly and privately owned corporations, real estate developers, landlords, national retailers, property owners, taxpayers, brokerage firms, and individuals in state and federal trial and appellate courts, the Michigan Tax Tribunal, arbitrations, and mediations.
Extensive trial and litigation experience in property tax appeal litigation, complex commercial litigation, real estate litigation, landlord-tenant disputes, NASD arbitrations, and trademark and copyright litigation.
Extensive experience in trademark, service mark, copyright, domain name, trade secret, and related technology and intellectual property matters.
Property Tax Appeals
- Represents both commercial and industrial clients in achieving millions of dollars of property tax savings in Michigan and outside the state.
- Trial counsel for taxpayer in property tax appeal of Michigan's largest chemical facility resulting in a refund in excess of $30 Million.
- Trial counsel for taxpayer in property tax appeal of a Michigan headquarters complex resulting in a refund in excess of $4 Million.
- Trial counsel for taxpayer in property tax appeal of a Michigan headquarters building resulting in a refund in excess of $100,000.
- Prosecuted property tax appeal for Michigan hotel, which resulted in a negotiated refund in excess of $200,000.
- Trial counsel for taxpayer in property tax appeal of golf country club.
- Trial counsel for taxpayer in property tax appeal of mobile home park.
- Appellate counsel for taxpayer in “mistake of fact” claim seeking refund of erroneously paid taxes resulting in favorable published Michigan Court of Appeals decision. Eltel Associates, LLC v. City of Pontiac, 278 Mich App 588 (2008).
- Represented property owner in dispute with city regarding Industrial Facilities Exemption Tax Certificates resulting in favorable settlement.
Commercial Litigation
- Trial counsel in arbitration representing plaintiff regarding the sale of a private company, which resulted in arbitration award and payment to client in excess of $850,000.
- Trial counsel in federal district jury trial representing defendant regarding the purchase of an automotive tier two supplier.
- Defended claims of defective industrial manufacturing machinery and other UCC Article 2 disputes.
- Obtained multi-million dollar judgment in enforcement of loan agreements on behalf of lender.
- Defended pawnbroker in defense of various claims.
- Defended client in million dollar claim by insurance company regarding alleged theft of jewelry.
Entertainment, Trademark, and Copyright
- Defended claims of trademark and copyright infringement and false advertising regarding the release and sale of best-selling exercise videos.
- Obtained summary dismissal of trademark infringement and false advertising claims for national restaurant/bar chain.
- Defended royalty fee claims regarding retail sales of best-selling children’s video and horror movie series, as well as recording artists.
- Managed and filed federal, state, and international trademark and service mark registrations for over 1,300 marks, including responding to office actions, and file copyright registrations.
- Counsels clients regarding trademark, trade dress and copyright issues inherent in package and product designs, and in comparative advertising and false advertising matters.
Real Estate Litigation
- Represents numerous commercial landlords in complex summary proceedings eviction matters and unpaid rent actions. Recovered millions of dollars in unpaid rent from delinquent tenants.
- Trial counsel for plaintiff in jury trial in Oakland County Circuit Court relating to construction of residential home which resulted in jury verdict of 100% of client's demand.
- Trial counsel in arbitration relating to construction of luxury home resulting in favorable award to client.
- Trial counsel in arbitration relating to delay claim by general contractor against owner.
- Represented client against contractor regarding mold claims in multi-unit apartment complex resulting in summary disposition on liability and million dollar settlement.
- Represented luxury home builders in connection with various building disputes.
- Defended actions regarding easement and right-of-way disputes.
- Defended owners, general contractors and trades in lien foreclosure actions.
Securities Litigation
- Defended brokerage firms in numerous NASD arbitrations regarding customer disputes.
- Defended officers and directors in federal securities action arising out of claims of shareholder oppression by minority shareholders.
- Defended securities class action lawsuit regarding FDA approvals of medical device.
- Trial counsel in arbitration representing corporate officers and directors in shareholder oppression claims resulting in a no-cause award in favor of clients.

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