Appeals

Legal Services

Appeals

Kerr Russell’s appellate practice is highly regarded, and has amassed an impressive record of success, both on behalf of clients who are appealing an unfavorable judgment, and those who are defending a decision after winning in the trial court.

In appellate work, as in all the litigation and dispute resolution services performed by our attorneys, we focus on delivering results in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.

Our appellate attorneys are seasoned litigators, who have a wide breadth of substantive legal and industry knowledge, and can quickly evaluate the merits of the case and determine whether it is likely to result in a favorable outcome on appeal. We represent corporations, governmental entities, and individuals in a wide variety of appeals related to a multitude of legal matters. We handle appeals at the Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court, and federal appeals level.

+Practicing Attorneys & Staff

Attorneys

James E. DeLine
James E. DeLine

Member

Daniel J. Ferris
Daniel J. Ferris

Member

Jacquelyn A. Klima
Jacquelyn A. Klima

Member

Patricia C. Schabath
Patricia C. Schabath

Member

Joanne Geha Swanson
Joanne Geha Swanson

Member

Rachel Hanson-Hervey
Rachel Hanson-Hervey

Associate

Kevin A. McQuillan
Kevin A. McQuillan

Associate

Abram G. Miller
Abram G. Miller

Associate

+Related Insights

May 17, 2023

The Value of an Appeal

You spent tens of thousands of dollars in litigation, or even went to trial, and at the end of the day, all you have to show for that investment is a judgment requiring you to pay out even more. You feel like the verdict was unfair, but is it worth spending more money on attorney fees to appeal?

December 21, 2022

Factors to Consider in Hiring Outside Counsel

The importance of the attorney-client relationship cannot be overstated. Within that relationship, a lawyer has many roles.

February 23, 2021

Best Practices: Giving Voice to Amici Curiae

Joanne Geha Swanson discusses the benefits of an amicus brief and how one is best leveraged in the latest issue of the Michigan Bar Journal (February 2021).

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.

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)
+Related News

November 3, 2022

Kerr Russell Ranked As U.S. News “Best Law Firm” 2023

Kerr Russell is once again ranked as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. Firms included on the list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

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.

August 12, 2022

Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Eleven Kerr Russell members have been included among the 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers.

November 15, 2021

16 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized As DBusiness 2022 Top Lawyers

A total of 16 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named DBusiness magazine Top Lawyers for 2022. The attorneys are selected through a peer review process, polling more than 18,000 attorneys across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties.

November 4, 2021

Kerr Russell Ranked As U.S. News “Best Law Firm” 2022

Kerr Russell is once again ranked as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers®.  Firms included on the list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

August 19, 2021

Kerr Russell Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® List

Kerr Russell is pleased to announce that 17 lawyers have been included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

November 16, 2020

22 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness 2021 Top Lawyers

A total of 22 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as DBusiness Magazine 2021 Top Lawyers. The attorneys are selected through a peer review process.  DBusiness polled more than 18,000 attorneys across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties. 

November 9, 2020

Kerr Russell Ranked As U.S. News “Best Law Firm”2021

Kerr Russell is once again ranked as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.  Firms included on the list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

August 20, 2020

Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2021 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Seventeen Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. Notably, twelve of the named attorneys have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than five years.

July 14, 2020

15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Recognized as Leading Lawyers 2020

A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named to the 2020 list of Leading Lawyers in Michigan. Only those lawyers who are most often recommended qualify for this honor.

April 7, 2020

Joanne Geha Swanson Discusses Bar Association Shifts Due to COVID-19

The Detroit Legal News recently interviewed Joanne Geha Swanson to discuss shifts in legal events and programs. Joanne is president of the Detroit Bar Association. 

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 16, 2020

Patricia Schabath, Jeffery May Featured in Crain's Detroit Business

Congratulations to Patricia Schabath and Jeffrey May for being featured in this week’s Crain’s Detroit Business “People on the Move.” Both were named members (partners) of the firm, effective January 1. You can view the Crain’s piece online HERE.

January 6, 2020

Patricia Schabath and Jeffrey May named members at Kerr Russell

Attorneys Jeffrey A. May and Patricia C. Schabath were recently named members (partners) at Kerr Russell. The two were selected at the end of 2019 and their promotions are effective as of January 1, 2020.

November 15, 2019

19 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness Top Lawyers for 2020

A total of 19 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as dBusiness Magazine 2020 Top Lawyers. The attorneys are selected through a peer review process.  dBusiness polled 19,000 attorneys across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties.

November 4, 2019

Kerr Russell Ranked as U.S. News “Best Law Firm”2020

Kerr Russell is once again ranked as a "Best Law Firm" by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.  Firms included on the list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

August 15, 2019

15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Are Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America© 2020

A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named to the prestigious 2020 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©. The award is given annually in recognition of being named as part of the “top legal talent in the U.S.”

August 9, 2019

Kerr Russell Attorneys Prevail in Case Before the Michigan Court of Appeals

William C. Blasses and Daniel G. Beyer recently obtained a favorable opinion from the Michigan Court of Appeals, affirming and upholding a Macomb County Circuit Court judge’s decision. 

July 29, 2019

Kerr Russell Attorney Joanne Geha Swanson Interviewed by Legal News

Joanne was recently interviewed by Legal News about her new appointment as president of the Detroit Bar Association.

June 20, 2019

Kerr Russell Attorney Installed as Detroit Bar Association Board President

Joanne Geha Swanson is the new President of the Detroit Bar Association Board.