Michigan

John G. Simon

St. Louis, MO

John G. Simon’s work as Managing Partner at the firm has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars for past clients. Well-respected in his field, John’s career includes several published works, frequent community involvement, and the role of adjunct professor at Saint Louis University School of Law. During more than three decades of practicing law, John Simon has built a remarkable record of courtroom victories and incredible settlements for thousands of clients - oftentimes when the odds are not in his favor. The National Law Journal named the firm he founded in 2001 as one of the “winningest firms” in the U.S. In 20 recent months alone, John’s firm achieved four nine-figure verdicts totaling nearly $2 billion. The firm now has more than 50 dedicated professionals, with a focus on plaintiff’s litigation including personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, business litigation and class action cases. John’s approach is simple: The client always comes first and prepare every case as if it’s headed to trial. These principles have driven unparalleled success in the courtroom including record setting verdicts in multiple states. It has also inspired meaningful change across multiple industries and has helped Simon Law become known as the firm where cases become causes. John’s verdicts have held some of the largest corporations in the world accountable for their misconduct and shined a national spotlight on critical, often ignored industry safety issues. That’s what John means when he says his firm is where cases become causes. John’s honors and awards reveal what John’s clients already know - he stands among the best litigators in the United States.

Brian J. McKeen

Detroit, MI

Brian McKeen began practicing law in 1982. During his career, he has become a powerful advocate for his clients and one of the foremost medical malpractice attorneys in Michigan. He has tried cases throughout the United States. He currently sits on the executive boards of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ) and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Mr. McKeen formerly served as chair of the AAJ Professional Negligence Section, Medical Negligence Exchange Group and Birth Trauma Litigation Group (BTLG). Since 2001, McKeen & Associates has generated the year's top verdict in Michigan four times, including securing the state's largest medical malpractice verdict on record in 2001, when a jury rendered a verdict award of $55 million in the case of Hall v Henry Ford Health System. McKeen & Associates also topped all Michigan verdict awards in 2002, with an award of $22.5 million in the case of Blazo v McLaren Regional Medical Center, et al; in 2006 with an award of $16 million in the case of Lowe v Henry Ford Health System; and in 2007, with an award of $35 million in the case of Oppenheim v Aeneas C. Guiney. Mr. McKeen was recently inducted to The Inner Circle of Advocates and named Top Attorneys in Michigan as published by The New York Times in September 2012.

David E. Christensen

Southfield, MI

David Christensen is the founding partner of Christensen Law, known for his client-first approach, extensive trial experience in personal injury, auto accident, and traumatic brain injury cases, and his leadership in shaping Michigan's no-fault law. He has achieved record verdicts, including a $17.8 million award, and is recognized with numerous legal honors.

Lawrence J. Buckfire is the President and Lead Trial Attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., specializing in child lead paint poisoning, wrongful death, nursing home neglect, medical malpractice, and other serious injury cases. He earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University School of Law in 1989. He is highly awarded, including 'Super Lawyer,' 'Best Lawyer in America,' and 'Lawyer of the Year' for Product Liability Litigation.

William Mattar is the Owner and President of William Mattar Law Offices, a firm he founded in 1990. He earned a B.S. in psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1986 and his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in 1988. Admitted to practice in New York in 1989 and numerous other states, William focuses his practice on motor vehicle accident cases, driven by a goal to make a difference for injured people. He has over 30 years of experience, collected over half a billion dollars for clients, and is actively involved in various community and charitable organizations.

Mark W. Haigh

Sioux Falls, SD

Mark's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and serious personal injury litigation, with extensive experience in health care law and medical malpractice defense. He has tried over 50 jury trials and has been recognized as a Sioux Falls Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America® multiple times. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.