Overview
Tim is co-chair of the Firm's Business Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Litigation Department. Tim has extensive experience in the areas of business and commercial litigation with particular emphasis on non-compete/ trade secret, data security litigation, manufacturing and supply chain, automotive, business, employment, and sales representative disputes. Tim has litigated non-compete, non-disclosure, and trade secret matters in nearly every industry and across the United States, including successful results in state and federal courts of appeal. Tim has also litigated a variety of employment disputes for companies in a wide range of industries. He has represented Tier I and Tier II automotive suppliers on a wide range of legal matters, including tooling disputes and supplier disputes involving pricing and commercial terms. Tim also litigates matters involving data security and data privacy, including matters involving wire fraud, ransomware and class action defense. Tim has defended class action lawsuits arising out of data breaches, cybersecurity incidents, and the use of advertising technology in state and federal courts across the country.
Tim’s expertise is providing real-time advice to businesses before disputes cannot be resolved. This includes drafting and reviewing contracts and terms and conditions to identify potential risks, and counseling clients to best position them in the event of a dispute.
Tim also has experience defending privately held corporations in shareholder oppression disputes, defending individual directors and officers, defending construction disputes involving the design and construction of factories and assembly lines, and defense of companies in ERISA benefits litigation.
Tim earned a J.D. from Wayne State University, graduating magna cum laude as part of the Order of the Coif in 2005. He received a B.A. from Aquinas College, graduating magna cum laude in 2002.
Representative Cases & Matters
- Regularly advises manufacturing clients in issues related to the supply of parts both up and down the supply chain. This includes analysis of purchase orders and supply agreements to determine the best strategy to meet the clients goals, and the litigation of supply disputes when a resolution cannot be achieved.
- Successfully obtained preliminary and permanent injunctive relief and monetary damages while enforcing non-competition agreements in a variety of industries.
- Represented automotive clients in commercial disputes related to product recalls.
- Counseled manufacturers of consumer products on issues related to product safety recalls including requirements for government notification and potential liability.
- Represented logistics suppliers in a variety of industries in the provision of logistics services, including just-in-time delivery of parts, kitting, sequencing, and other related services.
- Represented automation contractor in a dispute involving the construction of a facility for the manufacture of airplane wings.
- Successfully represented multiple manufacturing companies in supply disputes related to the termination of contracts from both the customer and supplier perspective. Successfully obtained injunctive relief requiring suppliers to both ship parts and release tooling.
- Successfully defended global logistics company in defense of claims related to failed MRO program involving issues related to on-time delivery and electronic ordering and delivery processes.
- Obtained summary judgment for bank accused of fraudulently approving commercial loans.
- Favorably resolved claim involving multimillion dollar escrow from purchase and merger of international company.
- Won arbitration award for software and controls company related to construction of an assembly line to manufacture munitions.
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Obtained dismissal of class action complaint against regional hospital district after data security incident.
Honors & Recognition
Selected for inclusion in Michigan Super Lawyers (2013-2017)
Selected for inclusion in Michigan Rising Stars (2012)
Credentials
Education
Wayne State University Law School
Aquinas College Grand Rapids Michigan
Admissions – Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Admissions – State
- Michigan
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
State Bar of Michigan
Federal Bar Association
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
News & Insights
External News & Publications
"How sales representative agreements can provide both a shield and a sword," Smart Business Detroit, September 2011
"Sales Rep Agreements, are you protected?" HBMA Billing, December 2010
"U.S. Supreme Court Decides Issue of Arbitrability of Contract," McDonald Hopkins Alert, July 2010
Events
Speaking Engagements
The Refractories Institute 2017 Fall Institute Meeting, October 2017
Non-Compete and Trade Secret Law Update, The Transformer Association 2018 Spring Meeting, April 2018