Overview
Mitch is a commercial trial lawyer and strategic advisor who counsels businesses and individuals, including Fortune 500 and other public companies, as well as privately held corporations and entrepreneurs, on complex legal and business matters. His practice spans high-stakes litigation, business counseling, and sports and entertainment advisory work. Known for his pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach, Mitch works closely with clients to identify risk early, resolve disputes efficiently, and, when necessary, advocate zealously in the courtroom. Mitch regularly handles matters across the country in both state and federal courts, including jury and bench trials, as well as arbitrations. He is licensed to practice in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana.
In addition to his litigation practice, Mitch advises clients in the sports and entertainment industry on commercial opportunities, strategic transactions, and compliance. He represents athletes, brands, and sports-related businesses in negotiating and structuring marketing, endorsement, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements. Mitch also counsels clients on evolving NIL regulations and compliance considerations, helping navigate a rapidly developing legal landscape while maximizing commercial opportunities.
Beyond his client work, Mitch also serves as chief legal counsel to a century-old Detroit-based stone company, where he advises the board and leadership team on legal strategy, corporate governance, risk management, and key business initiatives. He also previously served as anti-trust counsel to the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association.
Mitch earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, where he was active on the Moot Court Honors Council and served as editor for the Law Review. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University, with minors in Philosophy and Law. He has also completed executive programs in Negotiation and Entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School.
Before joining McDonald Hopkins, Mitch clerked for several respected judges in both state and federal court, and worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. He has been recognized on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for three consecutive years—a distinction earned by fewer than 2.5% of eligible attorneys. Mitch is an Associate Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only honorary society limited to fewer than one-half of one percent of American lawyers, recognizing effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, and superior ethical reputation. He is further recognized in the 2026 Edition of Marquis Who’s Who in America.
Representative Cases & Matters
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Achieved a complete victory for an individual client after a months-long evidentiary hearing, securing enforcement of a $1.8 million cognovit note (plus attorneys’ fees), defeating a fraudulent forgery defense, excluding a purported expert witness, obtaining deemed admissions, and prevailing on a motion to dismiss all counterclaims.
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Secured a $1.4 million settlement on behalf of steel supplier client in complex commercial automotive and supply chain dispute through mediation, achieving a result substantially above the Defendant Tier 1 auto supplier’s pre-mediation offers and favorably resolving the matter without the need for trial.
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Advised two NCAA Division I basketball players and a major energy drink brand on a marketing and endorsement agreement, including counseling on applicable NCAA, conference, and institutional compliance considerations.
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Negotiated the NIL arrangement between a NCAA Division I basketball player and a local startup.
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Advised on the formation and launch of a minor professional hockey club in the Detroit metropolitan area, including corporate formation and league filings, negotiation with league officials, arena agreements, and player contracts.
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Successfully briefed and argued a motion to dismiss under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) in federal court (E.D. Mich) on behalf of a corporate defendant in a putative data breach class action, securing complete dismissal of all claims in their entirety, including negligence, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, and injunctive relief, based on plaintiffs’ failure to adequately plead present injury and causation traceable to the alleged data breach.
- Successfully briefed and argued a motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(8) in Michigan state court on behalf of a corporate defendant in a putative data breach class action, obtaining dismissal of all claims in their entirety, including negligence, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and consumer protection theories.
- Drafted successful dispositive motion on behalf of business client against breach of contract and negligence claims stemming from a business email compromise.
- Drafted successful motions in limine based on Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37 in which federal court granted default judgment in favor of client and against plaintiff’s complaint seeking $3 million in damages; and precluded plaintiff from admitting any nondisclosed witnesses and exhibits during trial on client’s counterclaim.
- Drafted multiple successful motions for summary disposition against class action lawsuits filed against major healthcare clients, stemming from unrelated cyberattacks, resulting in complete dismissal of those complaints and establishing a significantly favorable line of case precedent in the State of Michigan.
- 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 (2023-2025)
Associate Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
Marquis Who’s Who in America (2026 Edition)
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
State Bar of Michigan
Illinois State Bar Association
Indiana State Bar Association
Detroit Economic Club
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).