Mary Catherine Rentz

Representative Client Work

• Defends insurers and self-insurers in high exposure first party no-fault cases
• Defends insurers in coverage litigation and provides coverage opinions
• Defends corporations and individuals in large damages motor vehicle accident cases
• Provides pre-litigation/claims stage advice to insurers
• Has established important caselaw for no-fault insurers

Notable Trials and Case Law

• Tevepaugh v Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company, Monroe County Circuit Court case number 08-26247 NI [No cause for action verdict as to plaintiff's claim for $106,000 in Michigan no-fault benefits and for $450,000 in underinsured motorist coverage based on jury's finding that plaintiff was not a resident of Frankenmuth's insureds' household]
• Pearsall v Rieber, Wayne County Circuit Court case number 06-619634 NI [verdict of $48,750 as to plaintiff's claim for $7 million for closed head injury/economic damages in a motor vehicle accident; pre-trial defense offer through second day of trial of $100,000; case evaluation sanctions awarded to defendants of $100,000]
• Walker v Enterprise Leasing Company of Detroit and Waters, Wayne County Circuit Court case number 05511794 NI [No cause for action verdict as to plaintiff’s claim for $150,000 in bicyclist/auto accident]
• Hetrick v St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Wayne County Circuit Court case number 01 130542 NF [No cause for action verdict as to plaintiff's claim for more than $450,000 in Michigan no-fault benefits; sanctions awarded to St. Paul of $50,000]
• Reed v Enterprise Leasing Company of Detroit, Wayne County Circuit Court case number 00 038288 NF [No cause for action verdict as to plaintiff's claim for approximately $50,000 in Michigan no-fault benefits; sanctions awarded to Enterprise of $17,000]
• LaCross v Continental Insurance Company, Wayne County Circuit Court case number 98 838350 NF [No cause for action verdict as to plaintiff’s claim for more than $500,000 in Michigan no-fault benefits]
• Affourtit v Enterprise Leasing Company of Detroit, Genesee County Circuit Court consolidated case numbers 01-71461 NI and 01-71801 NF [Verdict of $601.29 as to plaintiff’s claim of more than $1,300,000 on the consolidated claims for Michigan no-fault benefits and third party auto negligence with admitted liability]
• Wynn v State Auto, 856F. Supp.330 (ED Mich 1994) [No-fault insurer has no legal duty to advise an insured of the benefits available under a no-fault policy]
• Lam v Arnold Brothers Transport, Ltd., United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, case number 96-CV-72902-DT [No cause for action verdict; plaintiff claimed closed-head injury; jury found plaintiff sustained no injury in the accident]
• Demelis v Broadway Trucking, Inc., Wayne County Circuit Court case number 96-619046 NI [No cause for action; plaintiff injured left hip in accident, requiring hip replacement; jury found no negligence by truck driver]
• Butzer v Bob Dusseau Lincoln Mercury, Inc., Wayne County Circuit Court case number 95-502279-NI [No cause for action; jury found no negligence by car dealer employee]
• Berry v Cmar; United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, case number 97-CV-74973 [No cause for action; jury found no negligence by Canadian driver]

Professional Affiliations

• Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan (Negligence Law and Insurance Sections)
• Michigan Defense Trial Association

Community Involvement

• Central Michigan University Development Board (1999 – 2011; Chair, 2002 – 2004)
• Federalist Society, Michigan Chapter (Secretary, 1999 – 2006; Second Vice President, 2006 and 2012)
• University of Detroit Law Alumni Association
• University Liggett School Development Board (1995 – 2000; Chair, 2000)
• St. Clare of Montefalco, Church Christian Service Commission (1996 – 2002 and 2010 – Present; Secretary, 1998 – 2002)
• University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Parent Participation Fund (Committee Member, 2004 – 2005; Co-chair, 2005 – 2006 & 2006 – 2007)

Publications and Lectures

• “Overview of No-Fault in Michigan - First Party Benefits,” author, Without Prejudice, the official journal of the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association, April 2010
• “Michigan No-Fault Law,” lecturer, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, 2000 - 2006
• “Liens in the Michigan Personal Injury Case,” author, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association publication, 2000
• “Liens in Michigan Personal Injury Cases,” lecturer, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1999
• “Construction Accident Litigation,” co-author, Lawyers Co-Operative Publishing Co., 1990
• “Michigan Construction Accident Litigation” by Dwight G. Conger and Michael T. Lynch, editor, Lawyers Co-Operative Publishing Co., 1988

Sororities

• Sigma Iota Epsilon
• Phi Chi Theta
• Sigma Sigma Sigma