Michigan

Brian J. McKeen

South Haven, 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

Grand Rapids, 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.

VEN JOHNSON

Flint, MI

For nearly 40 years, Ven Johnson has been going toe-to-toe against insurance giants, corporate behemoths, and government monoliths-and winning big on behalf of his clients in courtrooms across the country. As a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney, Ven represents victims in both state and federal courts, specializing in civil rights, police misconduct, product liability, trucking and automobile negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice cases and more. Over the course of his career, Ven has achieved national recognition and solidified a reputation as one of America’s fiercest trial lawyers. His remarkable track record includes more than $1.5 billion in jury verdicts and settlements, with 30+ verdicts in excess of $1 million and multiple decisions ranging from $10 million to almost $25 million. He graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1983 and University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1986. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Michigan Association for Justice, State Bar of Michigan, and Detroit Bar Association. He has received numerous awards including Inner Circle of Advocates Inductee, Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, and Super Lawyers.

Perry Weitz

Detroit, MI

Perry Weitz, co-founder of Weitz & Luxenberg, is a prominent mass tort lawyer known for his pioneering work in asbestos litigation. He was inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2022 and has secured over $8.5 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients exposed to asbestos. He also founded the Perry Weitz Mass Tort Institute at Hofstra Law.

Lawrence J. Buckfire (Larry Buckfire) earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986 and his juris doctor degree from Wayne State University School of Law in 1989. He has been in private practice since successfully completing the bar exam in 1989. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, State of Ohio, and in the United States District Court. Lawrence is the lead trial attorney and managing partner at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. He specializes in child lead paint poisoning, wrongful death, nursing home neglect, medical malpractice, and other serious injury cases. He is a highly skilled trial attorney with a reputation for meticulous trial preparation and presentation. He has won substantial verdicts over his career, including a $5 million verdict in an assisted living wrongful death lawsuit. He is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. He also serves as a mediator with the Wayne County Mediation Tribunal. He is a contributing author to Forbes Legal Council and is often quoted legal expert by writers covering news stories on established news and information websites.