Center Line Animal & Dog Lawyers

Timothy Smith graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Pre-Law. He then earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in downtown Detroit. During law school, Tim clerked for a metropolitan Detroit-based insurance defense firm. He was also fortunate to complete a federal judicial externship with the Honorable Bernard A. Friedman in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Prior to joining the Mike Morse Law Firm in 2022, Tim was a successful litigator with more than 25 years of experience in...

Eric Steinberg has almost 20 years of experience litigating personal injury cases throughout Michigan. He has handled all types of cases, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, Michigan no-fault benefit denials, medical malpractice, dog bite, slip and fall injury, premises liability, construction accidents and others. Mr. Steinberg is proud to have obtained millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients. He is the managing partner of the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., which has offices located throughout Michigan. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has been representing Michigan clients for almost 50 years. Mr. Steinberg is currently the...

Robert J. Lantzy received his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University in 1993 and graduated cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 1997. Mr. Lantzy is an experienced trial attorney and has concentrated his practice in several areas of civil litigation, including lead paint exposure, trucking accident cases, premises liability cases, and wrongful death lawsuits. Robert is licensed to practice law in Michigan and Ohio. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Michigan Association for Justice, and the Macomb County Bar Association.

Lawrence J. 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 is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the State of Ohio. He was recently named a "Best Personal Injury Lawyer" by a Detroit business magaizne. Lawrence is a highly skilled trial attorney with a reputation for meticulous trial preparation and presentation. Mr. Buckfire has achieved the highest possible rating for ability and integrity in the legal profession. He specializes in child lead paint poisoning, wrongful...

Franci Silver graduated from Oakland University, with a degree in Political Science. After graduating Oakland University, she attended the Detroit College of Law, receiving her Juris Doctorate in 1988. She immediately went to work for a personal injury law firm before coming to work for the Law Offices of Lee B. Steinberg in 1991. During her law practice, she has obtained several jury verdicts and awards against numerous defendants. Ms. Silver specializes in social security disability (SSD) appeals, helping numerous clients obtain SSD awards after initially being denied by the Social Security Administration. She also specializes in premises liability law and...

Thomas N. Economy received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1996, and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 1999. His practice is devoted to representing seriously injured persons in cases involving no-fault insurance, automobile negligence and premises liability. He has successfully handled numerous important cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is an active member of both the American Association for Justice and Michigan Association for Justice. Email: tom@buckfirelaw.com

Lee Steinberg graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967. After graduating Wayne State University, he taught in the Detroit School System while going to night school at the Detroit College of Law. After graduating from the Detroit College of Law, he worked for personal injury firms before opening his law practice 1976. Lee has obtained substantial jury verdicts and awards against defendants, both local and national including British Petroleum, the City of Detroit and numerous insurance companies. He also tried cases in the State of Texas and obtained the first medical malpractice verdict in San...

Born, raised and educated in Michigan. Married with two adult children. Active in local civic and athletic organizations and charities. I have devoted my entire 30 year practice to representing victims of all types of accidental injuries for 30 years. I do not represent large corporations or insurance companies. I help level the battlefield so my clients can take on the biggest and best-funded opponents and still get the compensation they deserve. I never charge my clients to talk to me. I always answer and return calls promptly. Give me a call. Let's talk about your case today.

Michael R. Shaffer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1995 from Michigan State University. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1999 from Wayne State University Law School. Shaffer joined Buckfire Law in September 2022 with extensive experience in Michigan’s No-Fault Law and auto accident litigation. Prior to joining Buckfire Law, he worked for 17 years for a well-known plaintiff firm specializing in auto law. Shaffer’s primary focus will be on first-party automotive claims, third-party auto negligence, and motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. He also handles other personal injury claims including dog attacks, slip and falls, and wrongful death lawsuits.

Eric Steinberg graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor in Business Administration in 2001. After graduating, he worked as a financial consultant in Chicago. Not satisfied with spending his days in the financial field, Eric turned to the law. He attended the Chicago-Kent College of Law and earned a law degree in 2006. While receiving his legal education, Eric worked in the employment discrimination law clinic at Chicago-Kent, helping victims of discrimination receive just compensation and peace of mind. Eric joined the Law Offices of Lee B. Steinberg, P.C. full time in 2006. As a member of the Michigan...

Tony Chapman graduated from the University of Michigan in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education. He was awarded the Maize and Blue Scholarship, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior, for outstanding academic achievement and community service. Tony then graduated Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006 with his Juris Doctor. He is our Senior Intake Attorney and keeps very busy interviewing and meeting with new clients every day. Tony joined the firm in 2010, and he has a vast understanding of personal injury law. He takes pride in helping our new clients...

George G. Burke, III is a licensed attorney in the State of Michigan and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Syracuse University where he graduated cum laude in 1989. He graduated from Boston College Law School in 1992. George's practice focuses on personal injury litigation, with an emphasis on automobile negligence and Michigan no-fault insurance cases. He is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice. Email: george@buckfirelaw.com

As a research and writing attorney, Debra Garlinghouse has dedicated herself to the representation of persons who have been seriously injured due to the negligence of others. Ms. Garlinghouse has authored numerous appellate briefs on cases decided by Michigan’s various appellate courts. She is also a member of the Michigan Association for Justice amicus committee, writing and submitting briefs to the Michigan Supreme Court on important issues in personal injury law. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and Michigan Association for Justice, and is a founding member of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Cooley Alumni...

Holland Locklear has represented thousands of clients and won millions of dollars on their behalf. A native son of metro Detroit, he is fiercely devoted to his community, which drives him to zealously represent their interests in court. Holland gained expertise while working for the Detroit region’s top civil litigation firms. Holland has successfully litigated automobile accidents, wrongful terminations, discrimination, police and government misconduct, civil rights, dog bites, premises liability, contract disputes, landlord/tenant disputes and more. Holland is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. In law school, Holland served on the boards of the National Lawyers Guild, Student...

Scott P. Mussin is a co-owner and partner of one of Downriver Michigan’s leading law firms specializing in Family Law, Product Liability, Lemon Law, Police Misconduct/Constitutional Law, Commercial Litigation, Contracts, Auto Accident, Negligence, and Personal Injury.

Mr. Mussin’s background as a Downriver Lawyer is one of extensive litigation and trial experience. Mr. Mussin has vast experience handling litigation cases and pursuing cases through trial. Working at Ford Motor Company in the Office of the General Counsel, Mr. Mussin is experienced with corporate structure and defense practices handling product and warranty litigation claims. After Ford Motor Company, Mr. Mussin...

A Legal Leader With A Reputation For Excellence As a former journalist and prosecutor, Allen Wolf, quickly built a reputation as a leader for his ability to dive into a case and gather important details. Now he leverages his experience, knowledge and skill to obtain optimum legal results for his clients.

Michelle McLean received her Bachelors of Science from Cornerstone University in 2002. She later received her Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 2007. While earning her law degree, Ms. McLean served both on the Inns of Court (Lansing) and also worked as an extern for Kent Countyâs 17th Circuit Judicial Court. Prior to practicing law, Ms. Mclean worked for a national mortgage lender and has over fifteen years experience in this capacity. She worked as an underwriter, collector, manager, and finally as an account executive. By combining her...

Jason Barrix founded the Barrix Law Firm in 1993 after Graduating from Thomas Cooley School. He was admitted tot he Michigan State Bar in 1993 as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Prior to Law School Jason Barrix attended and Graduated from Central Michigan University. There he majored in Political Science receiving his Bachelor's of Science in 1988. Mr. Barrix has focused his practice on Representing those injured do to the negligence of others including Personal Injury, Auto Accident, Dog Bite, Food Poisoning, Medical Malpractice, Trip and Fall, Social...

Tom Kuiper is an experienced litigator with proficiency in a variety of cases and forums. He practices in State district, circuit, probate, federal and appellate courts, and in arbitration and mediation settings. He represents a variety of clients, from billion-dollar corporations in commercial litigation disputes to the individual involved in a personal dispute or family breakup. He also mediates a wide variety of cases. Although the issues and forums may differ, Tom's approach remains the same: To relate to people, to communicate difficult legal concepts and information in a clear and simple manner, and to work on a personal...

T.J. was born and raised in Central Michigan, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is a proud Michigander, who was raised in a blue collar family and taught from the beginning the importance of hard work and giving back to the community. T.J. is a life member of the VFW, Military Order of Purple Heart and sits on the board of directors of a local non-profit organization. Shortly after graduating high school, T.J. enlisted in the Army where he would serve for nearly 11 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant. Some of the more notable highlights...

M. Timothy Gergely focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury and accident law. Mr. Gergely concentrates his practice on helping individuals who have sustained injuries as a result of automobile and semi-truck accidents (No-Fault automobile accident and insurance claims), dog bites, medical malpractice, premises liability, wrongful death, dram shop (bar/tavern liability), and workmen's compensation. Mr. Gergely has handled numerous cases involving serious personal injury in which he has recovered millions of dollars of compensation for his injured clients. Several of Mr. Gergely's significant recoveries for his clients have been featured in Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Janet M. Mistele, J.D. is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (1989), the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (1991), and the North Carolina State Bar (2003). Ms. Mistele earned her Juris Doctor degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she was a member of the National Trial Team, and earned American Jurisprudence Awards for top honors in seven of her law school courses. Upon graduation from law school in 1989, Ms. Mistele accepted a position with the Michigan Court of Appeals in Lansing, Michigan as a Prehearing Attorney,...