Kerr Russell’s recognized strength in surety law is based on 50 years of experience with a broad range of bonds and issuers, as well as our deep background in construction and insurance law.
Moreover, the nature of our firm’s practice equips us to handle any surety matters that may arise in the context of banking, bankruptcy, workouts, construction, employment, secured transactions, environmental matters, securities, tax, workers’ compensation, commercial litigation, collections, and professional liability. Additionally, many members of our surety legal team are Certified Public Accountants as well as attorneys, with considerable depth of experience in corporate law and finance.
Our surety lawyers handle pre-default investigations and issues related to contractor defaults, validity of bonds, notices of default, scope of contract, overpayments, project completion, financing arrangements, indemnification, and subrogation and recovery. We are well-versed in matters arising under the federal Miller Act, as well as in all pertinent local and state laws governing public works for state departments of transportation and development.
We counsel and represent sureties in negotiations, mediations, and arbitrations, as well as in local, state and federal courts, including bankruptcy court. When guaranteed transactions fail, our attorneys strive to achieve resolution using alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) techniques, rather than pursue expensive and time-consuming litigation. Our litigation experience is extensive, and should litigation become necessary or advisable, we are well prepared to defend our clients’ interests in court, and to assist them at all stages of the litigation and appeals process in order to maximize recoveries.
The variety of bonds we handle on behalf of issuers of contract, commercial and financial institution surety bonds includes:
- Appeals bonds
- Auto dealer policies
- Construction bid, performance and payment bonds
- Custodian bonds
- Custom bonds
- License and permit bonds
- Lost instrument bonds
- Mechanics’ lien discharge bonds
- Probate bonds
- State, municipal and other public entity bonds
- Subdivision bonds
- Warehouse bonds
- Worker’s compensation bonds
- Indemnity agreements
- Public officials bonds
- Reclamation bonds
Attorneys

Michael D. Carroll
Member

Jacquelyn A. Klima
Member

Mark M. Cunningham
Of Counsel
January 26, 2018
Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services
January 15, 2018
Honoring the legacy of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
August 12, 2022
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
September 18, 2020
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
July 14, 2020
15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Recognized as Leading Lawyers 2020
March 17, 2020
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity: A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends
September 3, 2019
15 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized on the 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers List
July 16, 2019
Two Kerr Russell Attorneys Presenting at the Seventh Annual Midwest Surety & Construction Claims Conference
September 20, 2018
Kerr Russell recognizes our 2018 dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees
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
August 24, 2018
Kerr Russell member Mike Carroll (construction) ... one of Detroit's Real Men (who) Wear Pink
February 15, 2018
Jason Bank, new member of Detroit Athletic Club
February 9, 2018
Kerr Russell supports "Life is a Cabaret" American Cancer Society Relay for Life event
January 3, 2018
Kerr Russell highlighted in Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue
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 27, 2017
Jacquelyn Klima and Mark Cunningham present “Payment Bond: Beyond Labor and Material – Prompt Pay Act Liability, Interest, Service Charges, Time-Price Differential, and ‘Other’ Damages; and When is the Surety’s Consent Required..."
November 16, 2017
Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness
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
October 16, 2017
Kerr Russell supports Detroit Athletic Club (October 2017 DAC News)
September 12, 2017
16 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers
August 24, 2017
Jim Case and Mike Carroll featured in Associated General Contractors of America's Constructor Magazine
November 1, 2016