Troy, MI

David E. Christensen

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.

Fred J. Fresard

Fred J. Fresard is a highly experienced trial attorney focusing on defending complex, high-exposure litigation in the United States and Canada, including class action, product liability, and Multi-District Litigation. With over 30 years of experience, he advises Fortune 500 companies and serves as national and local counsel for global manufacturing enterprises. Mr. Fresard is recognized for his technical expertise in automotive crashworthiness and his work in alternative energy sectors.

Michael W. Cianciolo

As a 30-year veteran of the practice of law, Attorney Michael W. Cianciolo is one of the firm's most seasoned litigators. He has defended clients throughout Michigan in a variety of cases including asbestos and toxic tort claims, medical and dental malpractice, premises liability and other civil litigation. His extensive experience in defending businesses and professionals from all manner of civil liability has earned him a reputation for excellence among the business community and his fellow attorneys.

Steven M. Hickey

Steve Hickey has more than 37 years of experience in the practice areas of business law, insurance coverage and civil litigation of commercial disputes, personal injury and property loss claims. He has been active in product liability litigation, including mass tort and industry-wide lawsuits involving toxic exposures and traumatic injury in the workplace. Mr. Hickey has defended title abstractors and title searchers since the firm first developed this area of practice.

Matthew R. Van Steenkiste

Matthew R. Van Steenkiste is a Partner at Garmo & Kiste, PLC, having joined as a managing partner in 2008. He earned his J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law and is admitted to practice in Michigan state and federal jurisdictions. He has received numerous awards including multiple Super Lawyers Rising Star and Super Lawyers recognitions, National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40, and Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Shereef Akeel

Shereef H. Akeel is one of the nation’s most respected civil rights and employment attorneys. Recognized among the Forbes Top 200 Lawyers in America (2024), Akeel has built his reputation on litigating complex, high-stakes cases that deliver justice for individuals harmed by powerful institutions. He has been named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), Lawyer of the Year by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, and a Super Lawyer for 20 consecutive years in civil rights law. He is nationally ranked as a Tier One Civil Rights Lawyer by U.S. News & World Report. Over his 28-year career, Akeel has handled some of the most consequential civil rights and employment cases in the country. He has led high-profile class actions involving age, race, and religious discrimination, secured million-dollar verdicts and settlements in both federal and state courts, and represented the wrongfully convicted in their pursuit of justice. Akeel is also a leading voice in False Claims Act (Qui Tam) litigation, advocating on behalf of whistleblowers exposing fraud against the U.S. government. What sets Akeel apart is his unwavering commitment to using the law as a tool for systemic change. He has brought cases that not only secured justice for individuals-but changed policies, industries, and institutional behavior. Early in his career, he filed a landmark lawsuit under the Graham Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act after a defective pool drain led to the tragic death of a young child. The case sparked nationwide reforms, requiring dome-shaped drains in hotels, public pools, and fitness centers to prevent future tragedies. In another case, Akeel sued a national department store after his client-wrongly suspected of shoplifting-was subjected to a cross-gender search. The lawsuit resulted in a corporate policy change requiring same-gender searches, safeguarding the dignity of future customers. He also challenged U.S. Customs and Border Protection for questioning travelers about their religious practices, ending the unconstitutional practice nationwide. Akeel’s litigation against a fortune 500 company over a forced-distribution performance evaluation system revealed a disparate impact on minority groups. As a result, the company abandoned the program. He successfully challenged a local police department’s policy of forcing a women to remove their hijabs during mug shots, leading to a revised procedure that now respects religious rights. In the financial sector, Akeel filed suit against a national bank accused of discriminatory targeting based on religion and ethnicity-resulting in the cessation of those practices. Akeel’s impact extends internationally. He has led human rights class actions against corporate contractors accused of profiting from torture at Abu Ghraib and has played a central role in legal challenges to the federal no-fly list and invasive border interrogation protocols. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from Detroit College of Law (now affiliated with Michigan State University), an M.B.A., and is a Certified Public Accountant. His unique combination of legal skill, financial insight, and moral clarity positions him as a powerful advocate in the fight for accountability and justice. Currently, Akeel focuses his practice on employment law, civil rights, whistleblower protection, and personal injury-fighting tirelessly for individuals whose voices would otherwise go unheard.

Brandon Abro

Brandon Abro is a trial attorney at Christensen Law with 10 years of experience, specializing in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and trucking cases. He is known for his fair yet aggressive defense of plaintiffs' rights and his commitment to open communication.