Michigan Lawyers Weekly

09.11.2015

Laurel F. McGiffert, a partner in the Detroit office of Plunkett Cooney, one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest law firms, was recently selected as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s "2015 Women in the Law." 

“Laurel is truly deserving of this award,” said Henry B. Cooney, Plunkett Cooney’s President and CEO. “She’s an outstanding trial attorney and a leader in our firm."

The honorees were recognized in a special section of Michigan Lawyers Weekly and were honored yesterday at the sixth annual Women in the Law luncheon at the Detroit Marriott in Troy.

A Lawyers Weekly editorial panel selected this year’s honorees, considering a number of criteria, including each nominee’s commitment to excellence in the practice of law; inspiration and accomplishment as leaders in the profession; mentorship other women; and significant contribution of time and effort to volunteerism and/or pro bono service.

A senior trial attorney in the public and private sectors, McGiffert concentrates her practice primarily in the areas of medical liability, labor and employment law, municipal law, civil rights and general litigation. In addition to her successful trial practice, McGiffert has extensive experience representing clients involved in Michigan's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system. She also has the distinction of serving as an independent arbitrator and mediator in ADR hearings. 

McGiffert is a founding member of Plunkett Cooney’s Diversity Committee and a former member of the firm’s Board of Directors.  Her involvement in professional organizations includes the State Bar of Michigan, the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, the Wolverine Bar Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel. McGiffert also serves on the Board of Directors for the Oakland Mediation Center and the Power Company Kids Club.

Listed among the Best Lawyers in America® for Medical Malpractice Law, McGiffert has received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating-AV Preeminent™ Peer Review rating and she received the Michigan Association for Justice Respected Advocate Award in 2012.

McGiffert received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1980 and her undergraduate degree from Vassar College in 1970.

Plunkett Cooney’s Torts & Litigation Practice focuses on the defense of civil litigation, including claims involving municipal law, construction disputes, employment law, motor vehicle negligence, liquor liability, product liability, toxic torts and premises liability, including slip and falls, trip and falls and open and obvious dangers.   

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney employs 150 attorneys in nine Michigan cities, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm, which provides a range of transactional, coverage and litigation services, has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed among the U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for 2015.

For more information about Laurel F. McGiffert’s selection as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s "2015 Women in the Law," contact the firm’s Director of Marketing and Business Development, John Cornwell, at (248) 901-4008; jcornwell@plunkettcooney.com.

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