Michigan Defense Trial Counsel

2026 Defense Networking Reception (Summer)
2026-06-12 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Detroit) | Double Tree Suites, 525 W. Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States
Register Here: Registration
Join us after the 2026 Annual Summer Meeting to meet and greet the MDTC leaders and local attorneys.
This event is open to all Members, Non-Members, or Prospective Members. This is a chance for Members to connect with the MDTC Board and grow their professional network.

2026 Annual Summer Meeting + Conference
2026-06-12 09:00 - 17:30 | Double Tree Suites, 525 W. Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States
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Onsite Program
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Join us for the 2026 Annual Summer Meeting + Conference: For the Sake of Trial – Elevating the Craft of Trial Practice

Opening Session
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
presented by Frederick Livingston (McDonald Baas and Livingston PLLC) & Shawn Lewis (Hewson & Van Hellemont PC)

AI in the Courtroom: Practical Tools for Modern Trial Lawyers
9:30 – 10:20 a.m.
presented by Scott Carvo – Partner, Warner Norcross & Judd

[No Fault] Social Media Solutions for the Innovative Insurance Adjuster
10:35 – 10:50 a.m.
Social media isn’t just for sharing updates – it’s shaping the outcome of claims every day. This dynamic course uncovers the hidden influence of social platforms and shows you how to turn online insights into actionable intelligence. You’ll discover just how prevalent social media really is, learn ethical and proven methods for investigating digital footprints, and see the powerful impact these findings can have on a claim. Plus, we’ll share practical strategies for monitoring, preserving, and leveraging social media evidence effectively.
presented by Mike Huntsman & Jack Sanders – Command Services

[Employment Law] Artificial Intelligence, Authentic Liability
10:50 – 11:05 a.m.
If you represent an employer of just about any size, their employees are using ChatGPT to do their work for them. Not all of them, but a lot of them. This presentation will discuss what employers need to know about the risks of restrictionless AI use in the workplace, what policies can be implemented to control liability risk, and what liability might result from failing to properly monitor and train employees.
presented by Andrew Cascini – Henn Lesperance PLC

[MedMal] Top 5 Motions In Limine
11:05 – 11:15 a.m.
Motions in limine are a vital but sometimes overlooked part of preparing for trial. They can lead to dispositive rulings on critical issues such as the scope of damages, admissibility of expert testimony, and exclusion of harmful hearsay evidence. We will explore the top 5 motions in limine to position you for success in defending the case at trial—or eliminating the need for trial altogether.
presented by Karen E. Beach – Nauts, Dwaihy, Beach & Moran, PLLC

[No Fault] Anatomy of a Fraud Ring
11:15 – 11:30 a.m.
This session will discuss a year and half investigation of what it took to break open a fraud ring, the players involved, the multiple claims across numerous carriers, and how attention to detail matters.
presented by Robert Abramson – McDonald Baas & Livingston PLLC

[Employment Law] Reports of the Death of Non-Competes Are Greatly Exaggerated
11:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Defense attorneys who have represented employers know that when it comes to litigation, non-compete prosecution and defense are, well – a little bit unique. This presentation will bring attendees up to date about the legal status of non-competes in Michigan, discuss some special wrinkles that practitioners need to keep in mind when litigating cases, and provide some practical advice about drafting good agreements that are (hopefully!) enforceable.
presented by Andrew Cascini – Henn Lesperance PLC

Property/Premises
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Premises liability claims are evolving, and include more claims by invitees. The Michigan Supreme Court is considering the elimination of the three classes of visitors, which could affect this practice area yet again. This presentation will discuss how to prepare cases under the current case law while also preparing for the anticipated change in classification. Preparation through discovery and voir dire are essential to the successful defense of premises liability claims.
presented by Noah Zeidan – Vandeveer Garzia

Supreme Court Updates
1:25 – 1:35 p.m.
Stay current on the latest developments shaping Michigan law. This session will highlight key Michigan Supreme Court decisions, emerging issues in pending cases, and other notable rulings that may impact trial practice.
presented by Carlos Escurel – Foley Baron Metzger & Juip

Service of Process is Changing: Digital Service and Evasion in Modern Litigation
1:35 – 2:15 p.m.
A look at how avoidance is evolving, the role of digital touchpoints, and how courts are beginning to approach alternative and digital service. We’ve been actively developing a Virtual Digital Service framework around this, which gives some practical context to what’s coming next.
presented by Dan Klimek – Sherlock Investigations

View from the Bar (Practitioner Panel)
2:30 – 3:05 p.m.
Moderator: Laura Canfield – Secura Insurance
Panelists:

L. Ladd Culbertson – Secura Insurance
Cameron Getto – Zausmer PC
John Whitman – Garan Lucow Miller PC

View from the Bench (Judges' Panel)
3:05 – 3:55 p.m.
Moderator: Judge David Groner – Ret.
Panelists:

Judge Susan DeClercq – U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Michigan
Judge James Jamo – 30th Circuit Court Judge
Judge Michael Warren – Oakland County Circuit Court – Business Division

Closing Remarks
3:55 – 4:00 p.m.
presented by Fred Livingston – McDonald Baas & Livingston PLLC

2026 Past Presidents Reception
2026-04-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Detroit Golf Club, 17911 Hamilton Rd, Detroit, MI, 48203, United States
This is an Invite Only Event
This reception will also celebrate and honor the 2026 Annual President’s Special Recognition Award Recipient, Anita L. Comorski Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient, and the President’s Award Recipient. View Award Recipient History below:
Awards

Appellate Section Webinar
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:00
REGISTER HERE: Appellate Section Webinar Registration

Attend MDTC’s Appellate Section webinar on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. It will be hosted on zoom, allowing anyone to attend from anywhere.

Title: Preserve It or Lose It: Creating a Record that Works

The path to a successful appeal begins in the trial court. In this panel presentation, appellate attorneys will discuss some of the record-building decisions that can control the outcomes on appeal and what they often wished happened at the trial court level. Intended for both trial and appellate practitioners, this presentation will provide insight into protecting issues for review, framing arguments strategically, and creating a record that withstands appellate scrutiny.

Panelists:

Phillip J. DeRosier – Dickinson Wright PLLC
Drew W. Broaddus – Smith Haughey
Adam T. Ratliff – Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Nathan S. Scherbarth – Zausmer PC
Moderator: Grant O. Jaskulski – Hewson & Van Hellemont PC

2026 Legal Excellence Awards
2026-03-19 18:00 - 21:00 | The Gem Theatre, 333 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States
Please join us for an MDTC event to honor this year’s award recipients!

2026 Defense Network Reception
2026-01-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Double Tree Suites, 525 W. Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States
Meet and greet the MDTC leaders and local attorneys
The MDTC leaders will be holding their annual Future Planning Meeting in the area and would like to hold a meet and greet for any Members, Non-Members, or Prospective Members. This is an opportunity for Members to get to know the MDTC Board and expand their professional connections.

2026 Future Planning
2026-01-16 13:00 - 17:00 | Double Tree Suites, 525 W. Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States
This is an Invite Only Event

2025 Annual Winter Meeting
2025-11-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel, 21111 Haggerty Road, Novi, MI, 48375, United States

29th Annual MDTC Open Golf Tournament
2025-09-12 08:00 | Mystic Creek Golf Course, Champions Circle, Milford Charter Township, MI, 48380, United States

Battle of the Bar III
2025-08-14 17:00 | The Corner Ballpark, 1680 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI, 48216, United States

2025 Annual Meeting and Summer Conference
2025-06-20

2025 Legal Excellence Awards
2025-03-20 18:00 - 21:00 | The Gem Theatre, 333 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States

The Defense Network
2025-01-17 18:00 - 23:30 | Grand Trunk Pub, 612 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States

2024 Annual Winter Meeting
2024-11-01 07:30 - 17:00 | Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel, 21111 Haggerty Road, Novi, MI, 48375, United States

2024 Meet the Judges
2024-10-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Detroit Golf Club, 17911 Hamilton Rd, Detroit, MI, 48203, United States

Golden Gavel Award - Nomination Deadline
2024-10-01

Excellence in Defense Award - Nomination Deadline
2024-10-01

2024 28th Annual Golf Outing
2024-09-13 08:00 - 14:30 | Mystic Creek Golf Course, Champions Circle, Milford Charter Township, MI, 48380, United States
Registration

Sponsorship

2024 MDTC & MAJ Softball Game
2024-08-22 | The Corner Ballpark, 1680 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI, 48216, United States

2024 Annual Meeting & Conference
2024-06-13 - 2024-06-14 | The H Hotel, 111 W Main St, Midland, MI, 48640, United States

2024 Past Presidents Reception
2024-04-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Detroit Golf Club, 17911 Hamilton Rd, Detroit, MI, 48203, United States

Back to the Courtroom
2024-02-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event on Zoom

MDTC Grand Rapids Regional Meet & Greet
2024-01-19 18:00 - 20:00 | The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States

2023 Annual Winter Meeting
2023-11-03 08:00 - 15:15 | Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel, 21111 Haggerty Road, Novi, MI, 48375, United States

Supreme Court Opinion Review: An Uphill Battle
2023-10-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event on Zoom

27th Annual Golf Tournament
2023-09-15 09:30 - 11:30 | Mystic Creek Golf Course, Champions Circle, Milford Charter Township, MI, 48380, United States
