Carolyn M. Jereck

Carolyn M. Jereck currently serves as the firm’s Litigation Department Leader, a position she has held since 2002. A member of the firm’s Litigation and Labor and Employment practice groups, she concentrates her practice in the areas of employment law, municipal law, retail, premises and loss prevention litigation, liquor liability and product liability.

Ms. Jereck has represents numerous corporate and individual clients directly as well as through various insurance carriers and third party claim administrators. Her litigation practice includes matters throughout Michigan in both state and federal courts. She is also a frequent speaker/lecturer concerning issues, updates and pertinent changes in Michigan law pertaining to her areas of expertise.

She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Defense Research Institute where she serves as a member of the Employment Subcommittee, the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, the State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program and the American Law Firm Association’s Retail Steering Committee.

Representative Client Work

• Tried over 30 cases to verdict on behalf of clients in federal and state courts located throughout Southeastern Michigan
• Obtained favorable rulings and/or dismissals in numerous significant dram shop cases on behalf of liquor licensees based upon application of well-established statutory, common law and/or indemnification principles governing liquor liability in Michigan.
• Obtained dismissal in a case of first impression regarding a handicap discrimination claim brought against a retail client in which the plaintiff sought to recover significant damages arising from injuries allegedly sustained when using a “non compliant” self serve check out aisle
• Successfully represented various municipal clients in both state and federal courts against alleged violations of civil rights, procedural and substantive due process, as well as state and federal employment laws, including but not limited to, Title VII, FLMA, Michigan Whistleblowers Protection Act, Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act and handicap discrimination laws
• Obtained dismissal in a death case pursued against a national rental car company associated with the decedent’s questionable rental and application of the State of Michigan Owner’s Liability Law
• Successfully defended and obtained dismissal of numerous cases handled on behalf of national retail clients based upon application of the “open and obvious” and/or “notice” doctrines
• Defended and obtained dismissal of a product liability action brought against a national ladder manufacturer in which the plaintiff sought to recover damages exceeding $1,000,000
• Obtained defense verdict in high exposure premises liability case on behalf of a retail client in which the plaintiff claimed a closed head injury and requested a significant damage award exceeding $1,000,000

Professional Affiliations

• Oakland County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan (Litigation Section and Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program)
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Association of Trial Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute (Employment Subcommittee)

Public Service

• Former Assistant City Attorney/ Prosecutor- City of Northville

Academic Position

• Former Adjunct Professor - University of Detroit Mercy

Community Involvement

• Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association - Pro Bono Program
• Volunteer Lawyers Program
• MELL Substance Abuse Program
• Literacy Volunteers of America
• Reading to Reduce Recidivism Literacy Program – Oakland County Bar Association
• Officer - Indian Oaks Association
• American Bar Association (Litigation Section)
• The University of Michigan Alumni Association

Fraternities

• Delta Theta Phi

Publications

• Personnel Records: Access and Disclosure
• Public Safety Officers Injured by Drunk Patrons Can Sue Bar Owners for Their Injuries