The firm is pleased to announce that Robin Wagner has joined our firm as an associate. Before joining the firm, Robin served as a law clerk for the Hon. Judith E. Levy of the Eastern District of Michigan. And prior to clerking for Judge Levy, Robin clerked for the Hon. Michael H. Dolinger, Magistrate Judge, Southern District of New York. A native of Baltimore and a third-generation woman lawyer, Robin graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 2014, summa cum laude and Order of the Coif, with a certificate in public interest law. During law school, she received a scholarship from the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago to intern at Lambda Legal after her 1L year. She also received a scholarship from the Public Interest Law Association of Chicago to intern at the ACLU of Illinois after her second year of law school. Robin was a staff member of the DePaul Law Review and authored, "Are Gay Rights Clearly Established? The Problem with the Qualified Immunity Doctrine," 63 DEPAUL L. REV. 869 (2014). Before finally accepting the fact that she needed to follow in her mother and her grandmother's footsteps, Robin's career path was in academia. For many years, she worked in higher education administration as an associate dean, dean, and vice president at various institutions. She has been responsible for new curriculum development at both non-profit and for-profit colleges, directed study abroad programs in Asia, and conducted strategic planning at the University of Chicago. She also developed educational programs at the Field Museum in Chicago and is a self-professed dinosaur geek. (Her favorite is Archaeopteryx) Robin's undergraduate degree is in East Asian Studies from Princeton University, and she earned her Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University. Robin is fluent in Mandarin. Robin and her wife Sharon live in Ann Arbor, where Sharon works as Professor and Chair of Architecture Programs at the University of Michigan. They enjoy playing golf together and traveling. Their recent adventures include Berlin and Prague, southwest China, and Greece.
Legal News -- "On the Front Line: Attorney Fights to Right Injustices"
Channing Robinson-Holmes was featured in a biographical profile published by the Legal News. Read the full profile of Channing here.
WJRT/ABC/Flint -- "See How $600 Million Will be Distributed to Flint Residents"
Michael Pitt and Ted Leopold were quoted in coverage by television outlet WJRT/ABC/Flint regarding the process for filing claims in the Flint Water Crisis class action, in which the State of Michigan announced a proposed $600 million settlement....
Traverse City Record-Eagle -- "Whitmer: $600M Flint Water Deal a Step Toward Making Amends"
MIchael Pitt was cited in an article published by the Traverse City Record-Eagle regarding the State of Michigan's proposed $600 million settlement in the Flint Water Crisis class action. Read the full report here.
The Hill -- "Michigan Agrees to $600M Settlement with Flint Residents"
Michael Pitt and Ted Leopold were quoted in The Hill (daily newsletter covering the federal govt. and national issues) as part of its coverage of the State of Michigan's proposed $600 million settlement in the Flint Water Crisis class action....
The Hill -- "Michigan Agrees to $600M Settlement with Flint Residents"
Detroit Free Press -- "Flint Water Crisis Legal Settlement Totals $600M, Creates Victim Compensation Fund"
Michael Pitt and Ted Leopold were cited in a Detroit Free Press report on the proposed $600 million settlement in the Flint Water Crisis class action and how the funds will be distributed. Read the entire article here.
Detroit News -- "Here's How Flint Families Will Get Paid in Water Crisis Settlement"
Michael Pitt and Ted Leopold were quoted in a Detroit News article reporting on the process to be used for making claims in the Flint Water Crisis class action in which a $600 million settlement has been proposed. Read the entire article...
NBC News -- "Michigan Officials Announce $600M Settlement in Flint Water Crisis"
Michael Pitt and Trachelle Young were quoted in NBC News coverage of the State of Michigan's announcement of a proposed $600 million settlement in the Flint Water Crisis class action. Read the entire report here.
WNEM/CBS/Saginaw -- "AG Announces $600M Preliminary Settlement for Flint Water Civil Lawsuit"
Michael Pitt and Ted Leopold were cited in WNEM/CBS/Saginaw coverage of the announcement by the State of Michigan on a proposed $600M settlement in the Flint Water Crisis class action. Read the entire report here.
Law360 -- "Unemployment Surge Draws Lawyers to the Front Lines"
Jennifer Lord was quoted in a Law360 "Access to Justice" feature examining problems experienced by thousands of Americans trying to collect unemployment benefits due to COVID-19-related layoffs and ongoing issues with automated...
Bridge Michigan -- "Relief, Optimism and Mistrust Greet $600M Flint Water Lawsuit Settlement"
Michael Pitt was quoted in a Bridge Michigan report on reaction to the announcement of a $600M Settlement in the Flint Water Crisis class action. Read the entire report here.
Washington Post -- "Whitmer: $600M Flint Water Deal a Step Towards Making Amends"
Michael Pitt was quoted in a Washington Post report on the announcement of a $600 millon settlement in the Flint Water Crisis class action. Read the entire report here.
Legal News -- "Michigan Court of Appeals Affirms $388K Verdict for Jackson Educator in Whistleblower Lawsuit"
Megan Bonanni was quoted in a Legal News report on the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmation of a $388K verdict in the Pennie Davis whistleblower case against Jackson Schools. Read entire article here.
M. Pitt Cited in MLive Report on Midland Area Couple's Claim Filed Against the Federal Energy Resource Commission in Edenville Dam Collapse
Michael Pitt was quoted in MLive coverage of the claim filed against the Federal Energy Commission by a Midland Couple for property and personal damages caused by flooding after the collapse of the Edenville Dam in May 2020. The firm is representing Dan and Cathy Miller and filed a $1.25 million claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Read entire article here.
M. Pitt Cited in Bridge Magazine Report on Lawsuit Firm Filed Against Federal Energy Resource Commission
Michael Pitt was cited in Bridge Magazine coverage of the lawsuit filed by the firm against the Federal Energy Resouce Commission. The plaintiffs are Sanford, Mich. couple Cathy and Dan Allen whose home was severely damaged in mass flooding following the collapse of the Edenville Dam in May 2020.
Midland Daily News -- "Lawsuit Blames State Agencies for Dam Failures"
Mike Pitt, Ted Leopold and Paul Stephen were referenced as plaintiffs' attorneys in a Midland Daily News report on the lawsuit filed June 25 in the Michigan Court of Claims. The coverage notes that the suit's 15 plaintiffs owned property and homes which were damaged or destroyed in the May 19 Midland area flooding caused by the collapse of the Edenville Dam. Read full article here.
Detroit News -- "Feds Didn't Review Finances or Fine Edenville Dam Owner"
Michael Pitt was cited in Detroit News coverage examining the lack of maintenance and repairs at the Edenville Dam and related issues regarding regulation of the dam prior to its collapse and subsequent flooding in the Midland area. Read full article here.
Bridge Magazine -- "Whitmer Administration Names Outside Team to Probe Edenville Dam Failure"
Micheal Pitt was cited in a Bridge Magazine report on the appointment of an independent team of investigators to look into the Edenville Dam failure which resulted in massive flooding and property damage in the Midland, Mich....
GOVERNING -- "Michigan's Ineffective Unemployment System is Nothing New"
Jennifer Lord was cited in an article published by GOVERNING magazine regarding the breakdown in customer service at the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. Read full article here.
Crain's Detroit Business -- "Nonprofit Sues Canton Apartment Complex, Alleging Discrimination of Recovering Substance Abusers"
Robin Wagner and firm client Joseph Paliwoda were quoted in Crain's Detroit Business coverage of the Personalized Nursing LIGHT House vs. Crossings of Canton housing discrimination suit:
Read full article here.