overview
Daniel J. Ferris feels privileged to be called upon to assist companies and individuals across a range of industries and with a wide variety of issues.
Practice Areas
Bio
Dan handles matters involving class action, commercial disputes, corporate law, employment law, insurance, licensing, litigation, products liability, and professional liability defense, and has particular experience in non-compete and sales representative contracts. Dan handles high-stakes and high-profile lawsuits in both trial and appellate courts.
His industry-specific experience includes:
- Representing corporations and individuals involved in health care including dentists, hospitals, medical device manufacturers, and physicians, and serving as Co-Chair of the Professional Liability & Health Care Section of Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
- Representing automotive manufacturers and serving as a member of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association Young Leadership Council
Dan has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a “Leader in the Law,” by Best Lawyers in America (a distinction earned by no more than 5.3% of lawyers in the United States), and by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” (a distinction earned by no more than 2.5% of Michigan lawyers). He was elected into the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation (a distinction limited to 1% of Michigan attorneys) and the Michigan State Bar Foundation Fellows Program (a distinction limited to 5% of Michigan attorneys).
Dan is passionate about education, is a lifelong learner, and works hard to stay at the leading-edge of knowledge, training, and tactics in the legal profession so as to provide clients with the best service, work product, and results possible. In addition to his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan, he completed a trial advocacy program at the Northwestern University School of Law. Dan has served as an instructor at the University of Michigan and as an editor of Michigan Law of Damages and Other Remedies, a treatise published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He has served as a member of Kerr Russell’s Continuing Legal Education Committee and as a judge for moot court competitions at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law Schools. Dan has also served as a “Barrister” in the American Inns of Court, which is an organization that promotes legal education. He has presented on topics relating to commercial litigation, health care, and legal research. In recognition of his vision, initiative, and leadership skills, Dan was appointed to serve on Kerr Russell’s Strategic Planning Committee.
Dan is also passionate about civic service. He was first appointed and then elected to serve as a member of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly, which is the final policy-making body of the State Bar. As Chair of the Drafting Committee, Dan worked closely on a proposal that was adopted by the Michigan Supreme Court and constituted the most significant reform of the Michigan Court Rules in more than 30 years. He is also a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, which promotes increased access to and understanding of the legal system. Dan has supported homeless youth as a member of the Covenant House Michigan Associate Board. He additionally volunteers with Kerr Russell’s Giving Back program, represents nonprofit corporations, and represents clients on a pro bono basis. Dan previously held a leadership position in a community service organization and has traveled to multiple sites around the United States to perform volunteer work.
Articles
- “Taylor v University Physician Group: Michigan Court of Appeals Allows Expert Testimony that Conflicts with Eyewitness Testimony,” Michigan Defense Quarterly (2020)
- “Can My Client Sue My Expert? Michigan Court of Appeals Addresses Witness Immunity Doctrine,” Michigan Defense Quarterly (2019)
- “The Michigan Litigation Addressing the Vaping Epidemic,” Detroit Medical News (2019)
- “Navigating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly (2018)
White Papers
credentials
Affiliations
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Detroit Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan
- Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, Co-Chair, Professional Liability & Health Care Section
- Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Oakland County Bar Foundation, Fellow
- State Bar of Michigan
- Washtenaw County Bar Association
Bar and Court Admissions
- Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Sault St. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
- Associate Editor, Michigan Journal of International Law
- University of Michigan, A.B.
- with high distinction
- Phi Beta Kappa
- James B. Angell Scholar
Insights & News
August 17, 2023
Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized By Best Lawyers In America© 2024 And Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch
August 18, 2022
Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
September 18, 2020
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
September 17, 2020
Meet Kerr Russell's Expanded Medical Malpractice Defense Team
March 17, 2020
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity: A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends
January 7, 2020
The Michigan Litigation Addressing the Vaping Epidemic
September 3, 2019
15 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized on the 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers List
June 3, 2019
Kerr Russell Attorneys Discuss Client - Expert Suits in Michigan Defense Quarterly
September 7, 2018
15 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers
September 5, 2018
Daniel Ferris serves as editor of "Damages and Remedies in Michigan" (4th edition) for Institute of Continuing Legal Education
September 5, 2018
Daniel Ferris serves as editor of "Damages and Remedies in Michigan" (4th edition) for Institute of Continuing Legal Education
July 20, 2018
Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd's "Navigating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs" included in OESA News publication
June 18, 2018
Michigan Lawyers Weekly publishes "Negotiating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs" by attorneys Daniel Ferris, Derek Boyd
June 4, 2018
Download our white paper "Negotiating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs" by Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd
April 23, 2018
Kerr Russell colleagues and family members spend Earth Day 2018 volunteering at Votrobeck Playground
April 5, 2018
Fred Herrmann honored at Michigan Lawyers Weekly's "Leaders in the Law" luncheon
March 14, 2018
New laws for prescribing controlled substances in Michigan: Are you ready?
January 26, 2018
Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services
December 18, 2017
Kerr Russell team makes holiday donations to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, and Children's Hospital of Michigan
November 30, 2017
Merry and bright ... Kerr Russell welcomes the holiday season
November 30, 2017
Kerr Russell, Boulevard Investment lunch and learn
November 21, 2017
Detroit Bar Honors Mayor Mike Duggan at 2017 Archer Award Gala; Kerr Russell a Silver Sponsor
November 16, 2017
Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness
November 4, 2017
Daniel Ferris appointed Chair of the Drafting Committee of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly
November 3, 2017
Kerr Russell launches new advertising in upcoming issues of dbusiness and Crain's Detroit
November 1, 2017
Kerr Russell ranked in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in 1 practice area and regionally in 17 practice areas
September 12, 2017
16 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers
September 11, 2017
Daniel Ferris, part of Original Equipment Suppliers Association's Young Leadership Council graduating class
August 21, 2017
Daniel Ferris inducted into Covenant House Michigan Young Professionals Society
August 10, 2017
A culture of giving
August 4, 2017
Daniel Ferris appointed Co-Chair of the Professional Liability & Health Care Section of Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
November 1, 2016
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers
Representative Matters
Represented international nonprofit corporation in various courts across Michigan, including the Michigan Supreme Court, in support of the emergency rules that made Michigan the first state in the nation to ban nicotine vaping products
Obtained dismissal of federal suit relating to sophisticated international transactions involving an automotive supplier and sales representative, which was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Obtained seven-figure judgment in favor of health care corporation for breach of non-compete agreement following an arbitration proceeding, which was upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court
Obtained favorable settlement of products liability class action suit against automotive manufacturer
Obtained injunction and favorable settlement of matter involving former employees of automotive supplier who allegedly misappropriated trade secrets
Investigated financial and other wrongdoing allegedly committed by employees of nonprofit corporation
Obtained injunction in favor of distributor of automotive parts for breach of non-compete agreement
Obtained favorable settlement of automotive supply chain dispute involving request for injunctive relief
Obtained dismissal of medical malpractice suit prior to trial based on causation defense. The Michigan Court of Appeals opinion upholding the trial court’s decision has become a leading authority in this area as identified by a prominent legal treatise