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Daniel J. Ferris

Member

T 313-961-0200 F 313-961-0388

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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

Appeals

Automotive

Automotive Warranty and Supply Chain

Business and Corporate Law

Construction

Creditors' Rights

Health Care Law

Insurance Law

Labor, Employment, Employee Benefits and ERISA

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Michigan Business Court Litigation

Physician Licensing, Staffing and Contract Disputes

Sales Commissions

Shareholder / Member Disputes

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.

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 is an editor of Michigan Law of Damages and Other Remedies, a treatise published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He is a member of Kerr Russell’s Continuing Legal Education Committee and has served 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.

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

  • New Laws for Prescribing Controlled Substances in Michigan: Are you ready? (2018)

credentials

Affiliations

  • State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly
  • Detroit Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • Oakland County Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Washtenaw County Bar Association
  • Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, Co-Chair, Professional Liability & Health Care Section
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Super Lawyers

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 18, 2022

Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Eighteen Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023. Notably, fourteen of the named attorneys have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than five years.

September 18, 2020

Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers named 11 Kerr Russell members to the list of 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and included four Kerr Russell attorneys on the list of 2020 Michigan Rising Stars.

September 17, 2020

Meet Kerr Russell's Expanded Medical Malpractice Defense Team

Kerr Russell stands ready and able to handle all of your professional liability defense needs.

March 17, 2020

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity:  A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends

Kerr Russell is committed to its community, clients and people. As the world navigates through the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to assure you that Kerr Russell is committed to supporting our community, clients and people as effectively as we have through every other crisis our Nation has encountered over our firm’s nearly 150-year history. Our firm is fully operational: We have made sure that our lawyers and staff are able to safely and effectively serve our clients’ needs and continue operations on an uninterrupted basis. Most of our people

January 7, 2020

The Michigan Litigation Addressing the Vaping Epidemic

Kerr Russell attorney Daniel J. Ferris was recently published in the Detroit Medical News. His article discusses the litigation by the State of Michigan to end the vaping epidemic. The full article can be found HERE on page 22.

September 3, 2019

15 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized on the 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers List

A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as Thomson Reuters, 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers. The award is given annually to attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

June 3, 2019

Kerr Russell Attorneys Discuss Client - Expert Suits in Michigan Defense Quarterly

Attorneys Daniel J. Ferris and Derek R. Boyd address the question, "Can my client sue my expert,"  citing how the Michigan Court of Appeals addresses witness immunity doctrine. Michigan Defense Quarterly, the official journal of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (Volume 35, No. 4)

September 7, 2018

15 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers

Congratulations to the following attorneys who have been designated "Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters:

September 5, 2018

Daniel Ferris serves as editor of "Damages and Remedies in Michigan" (4th edition) for Institute of Continuing Legal Education

Kudos to Kerr Russell member Daniel Ferris who served as editor of the recently published Damages and Remedies in Michigan, a leading litigation treatise published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Fellow editors included Barbara A. Patek, Mark Granzotto, and David H. Freedman. You can order the publication here- from the website:

September 5, 2018

Daniel Ferris serves as editor of "Damages and Remedies in Michigan" (4th edition) for Institute of Continuing Legal Education

Kudos to Kerr Russell member Daniel Ferris who served as editor of the recently published Damages and Remedies in Michigan, a leading litigation treatise published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Fellow editors included Barbara A. Patek, Mark Granzotto, and David H. Freedman.

July 20, 2018

Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd's "Navigating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs" included in OESA News publication

Kudos to Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd whose article "Navigating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs" has been published in OESA News 2018 Third Quarter Edition 1.

June 18, 2018

Michigan Lawyers Weekly publishes "Negotiating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs" by attorneys Daniel Ferris, Derek Boyd

Kudos to Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd whose article “Negotiating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs," was picked up by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

June 4, 2018

Download our white paper "Negotiating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs" by Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd

Negotiating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs," written by Kerr Russell attorneys Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd.

April 23, 2018

Kerr Russell colleagues and family members spend Earth Day 2018 volunteering at Votrobeck Playground

In observance of Earth Day 2018, Kerr Russell colleagues returned to the garden at Votrobeck Playground in Detroit for spring planting and clean-up on Saturday, April 21. Thank you to Joanne Geha Swanson both for organizing the effort and for these beautiful photos - view the full album here. 

April 5, 2018

Fred Herrmann honored at Michigan Lawyers Weekly's "Leaders in the Law" luncheon

On April 5, Kerr Russell member Fred Herrmann (antitrust, litigation, dispute resolution) was honored at a luncheon, held at the Detroit Marriott - Troy, alongside the rest of Michigan Lawyers Weekly's "Leaders in the Law" Class of 2018. Kerr Russell attendees included Jim Cambridge, Jason Bank, Dan Schulte, Dan Ferris, Jeff May, Anna Valk, Ashley Racette, and Roy Sexton. Fred's wife Mindy Herrmann was there as well. (Picture left. To the left, Fred receives his award from Opinion Editor Agenique Smiley.)

March 14, 2018

New laws for prescribing controlled substances in Michigan: Are you ready?

In an effort to further combat prescription drug and opioid addiction, the Michigan legislature recently enacted new legislation affecting the prescribing of controlled substances by physicians and other licensed prescribers.

January 26, 2018

Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services

Kerr Russell is proud of Detroit. We are proud to have had a seat at the table here since 1874. Our exceptional attorneys understand the unique challenges facing business leaders. Our legal solutions are prompt, accurate, economical, and focused around your needs in every area. We know Michigan business like the back of our hands.

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

One of our traditions here at Kerr Russell is to hold a holiday raffle to benefit three local charities as well as to conduct a toy drive for local children. This year's raffle (many of the beautiful and festive prizes picture here) raised a record total of $3,450 which will be divided equally among three organizations: Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc., and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor.

November 30, 2017

Merry and bright ... Kerr Russell welcomes the holiday season

It's a time to celebrate, reflect and remember. However you mark the holidays, we hope your days are filled with warmth and thankfulness, good times, and endless cheer. As another year draws to a close, we at Kerr Russell are grateful to you. You give purpose to our work and add meaning to our relationships. Your trust is a cherished gift. Enjoy these images as we get our offices ready to celebrate the holiday season. Design by Mandy Lark of Lark Interior Design.

November 30, 2017

Kerr Russell, Boulevard Investment lunch and learn

Kerr Russell hosted Royal Oak's Boulevard Investment Banking at our Detroit office for a lunch-and-learn event on Thursday, November 30. From Boulevard's website: "Boulevard is a boutique, investment banking and private investment firm focused on working with owners, operators, and businesses active in the middle market.

November 21, 2017

Detroit Bar Honors Mayor Mike Duggan at 2017 Archer Award Gala; Kerr Russell a Silver Sponsor

From the Detroit Bar Association: "Congratulations to Mayor Mike Duggan who was presented the Dennis Archer Public Service Award by the Detroit Bar Foundation Thursday, November 16 at the Detroit Yacht Club. Also congratulations to the Detroit Bar Legal Scholars for their original legal work product that advances the field of law and our Corporate Citizen Outreach Recognition of DTE Energy, Matrix Human Services, Ally Financial and General Motors Company."

November 16, 2017

Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness

Kerr Russell introduces the second ad in the new "Est. in Detroit 1874" series: "A culture of connection." The piece emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We are relationship focused. We know our people and our clients are the lifeblood of our firm."

November 4, 2017

Daniel Ferris appointed Chair of the Drafting Committee of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly

Daniel J. Ferris, member, has been appointed Chair of the Drafting Committee of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly. In 1971, the State Bar Board of Commissioners requested the Supreme Court create a "representative assembly".

November 3, 2017

Kerr Russell launches new advertising in upcoming issues of dbusiness and Crain's Detroit

With this month's issue of dbusiness, focused on Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Kerr Russell launches its new brand advertising with "A Track Record of Results." Working with Identity Public Relations and Marketing, Kerr Russell's marketing team developed the creative to emphasize the firm's longstanding place in Detroit's legal and business history.

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

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the eighth consecutive year, announce the "Best Law Firms" rankings.

September 12, 2017

16 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers

Congratulations to the following attorneys who have been designated "Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters.

September 11, 2017

Daniel Ferris, part of Original Equipment Suppliers Association's Young Leadership Council graduating class

Congratulations to Daniel Ferris (depicted fifth from the left on the back row in the above image) who is a member of the latest Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) Young Leadership Council's graduating class: "This week, we 'graduated' our 4th Young Leadership Council. Best of luck as you continue to grow in your careers."

August 21, 2017

Daniel Ferris inducted into Covenant House Michigan Young Professionals Society

Congratulations to Daniel Ferris who was inducted into Covenant House Michigan Young Professionals Society last week.

August 10, 2017

A culture of giving

If you want to know how a firm can thrive for over 140 years in a city that has faced considerable challenges, walk through the door of Kerr Russell’s suite on the 25th floor of the Detroit Center and get a feel for the people.

August 4, 2017

Daniel Ferris appointed Co-Chair of the Professional Liability & Health Care Section of Michigan Defense Trial Counsel

Congratulations to Daniel Ferris who was recently appointed Co-Chair of the Professional Liability & Health Care Section of Michigan Defense Trial Counsel. Dan handles matters involving class action, commercial disputes, corporate law, employment law, insurance, licensing, litigation, products liability, and professional liability defense.

November 1, 2016

Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers

Kerr Russell attorneys have been named SuperLawyers for 2016, two have been named to the Michigan Top 100 and four have been named as Rising Stars.

Representative Matters

Represents 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

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