Wayne County Lawyers

John Fernandez is a lawyer with a difference, having over 28 years of practice as a member of the Michigan/Great Lakes Regional bar and invaluable experience as a litigator for people with disabilities, including Social Security Title II and Title XVI claims, Workers Compensation Claims, and Special Education/School Law Claims under IDEA. winning over 1000+ cases at federal and state hearings. Mr. Fernandez advocates legal equality as fundamental to the principle of the law. Mr. Fernandez received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. Upon returning to...

Melanie graduated from the Detroit College of Law Cum Laude in 1986. She received her BS in Business Management from Detroit College of Business Magna Cum Laude in 1982. She then practiced at corporate law firms and insurance defense law firms for the next 35 years. Over that time, she managed an insurance defense law firm for one large insurance company. She has also tried more than 100 lawsuits to a jury verdict. She was one of the prominent trial attorneys for a large national insurance company. Melanie is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation...

In 2005, Jake Yeater graduated cum laude from the University of Findlay, where he attained bachelor degrees in Law and Liberal Arts and Criminal Justice. That fall, he attended Thomas M. Cooley School of Law where he later graduated in the top 5% of his class, cum laude. While a law student, Jake participated in Law Review as the Scholarly Writing Editor, Law Journal, Moot Court, and Mock Trial. He was also awarded the Eugene Krasicky Award for his significant contributions to the publication of the Law Review. Before coming to the Mike Morse Law Firm, Jake spent several years clerking...

Paul Wheatley graduated from Michigan State University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in environmental journalism. During his time at MSU he worked as a reporter for the state news. He later worked as a city reporter for the Petoskey news-review in Petoskey, MI., and the Vindicator newspaper in Youngstown, Ohio. Paul earned a scholarship to the Thomas m. Cooley law school and earned his law degree with a concentration in environmental law. He interned, clerked, and worked as an attorney for the Liblang law firm, pc where he aided clients with consumer law –...

Mr. Randy L. Calvin was born and raised in Dearborn, MI, and graduated from Dearborn High School. He then went on to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA where he received a bachelor's degree in business. He attended law school at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. During his time there he interned at the Portsmouth Commonwealth Attorney's Office in Portsmouth, VA. He focuses his practice on Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability. He has been a great advocate for all his clients. Mr. Calvin has helped clients wipe hundreds of thousands of debt through...

Brent Thomas graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law concentration. Also, while at Northeastern University he was a member of the Northeastern University, Division I Men’s Ice Hockey team. After college, he attended Suffolk University Law School, in Boston, where he earned his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude in 2003. During law school, Brent worked with the Michigan State Appellate Defender’s Office and the Environmental Protection Agency where he honed his writing and advocacy skills. After law school, Brent has spent his entire career fighting insurance companies and helping...

Eric M. Simpson has been dedicated to protecting the rights of the seriously injured and their families for his entire legal career. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts. He then graduated Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1997 with his Juris Doctor. Not only is Eric a licensed member of The State Bar of Michigan, but also The North Carolina State Bar and The State Bar of Texas. He has practiced law in many different States and throughout the State of Michigan. He has extensive knowledge of...

Alex Kassa graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science in General Management. He went on the earn his law degree from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where he graduated cum laude. At Detroit Mercy, Alex earned a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in U.S. Basic Federal Income Tax and received the Ayar Law Group Scholarship for Tax Excellence. As an attorney at the Mike Morse Law Firm, Alex has dedicated his career to protecting accident victims across Michigan. In his free time, Alex enjoys spending time with family, golfing, and playing basketball.

Julia F. Opiela graduated from Michigan State University, James Madison College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. During her undergraduate studies, she was one of ten U.S. students selected as a President Clinton Scholar and spent one year of international study at American University Dubai. Thereafter, she attended law school at Michigan State University College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in May 2015. While in law school, Julia was a member of the international law society and recipient of the Trustee Fieldman and Weiner Endowed Scholarships. She spent a semester...

Robert S. Silverman graduated with High Distinction from the University of Michigan, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology in 1992. He earned his Juris Doctor Degree Magna Cum Laude from The Detroit College of Law in 1995. While a law student, Robert was on Law Review and was a published author in The Detroit College of Law Review. He is currently licensed in Michigan, New York, and the Federal District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. At the beginning of his legal career, Robert represented local hospitals and physicians in medical malpractice litigation. Later, Robert worked for State Farm Insurance for 10...

Lewis decided to become personal injury attorney because he enjoys protecting the rights of the seriously injured. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor Science in Biology. While at the University of Michigan, Lewis developed an interest in the areas of anatomy and physiology. He then attended Loyola University’s School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he graduated Cum Laude. After law school, Lewis lived and practiced law in San Francisco and San Diego before returning home to Detroit. He has experience in the areas of personal injury litigation, insurance defense litigation and patent prosecution. He is...

Daresha McCloud graduated from Bowling Green State University with honors in 2007. She went on to earn her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. During law school, Daresha was awarded a Certificate of Merit for receiving the highest grade amongst her peers in Torts II and Civil Procedure II. She graduated from law school cum laude in 2012. Since graduating law school, Daresha has primarily devoted her practice of law to representing individuals who have been involved in auto accidents, slip and falls, and dog bites. Daresha also had an opportunity to work as an insurance defense attorney....

Cole Schmidt graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2009, and went on to earn his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 2014. While attending law school, Cole interned with the Owosso city attorney and performed criminal prosecution in accordance with Michigan’s court rules; he also assisted with many matters both municipal and civil. After law school, Cole clerked for Oakland County’s corporation counsel before joining a small private practice firm specializing in home/auto insurance defense and dram shop actions. As a social security attorney at the Mike Morse Law Firm, Cole has successfully helped hundreds of...

Perry graduated from Michigan State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While attending Wayne State University Law School, he clerked for the Hon. Alice L. Gilbert who handled a diverse civil and criminal docket at the Oakland County Circuit Court. During that clerkship, he gained immeasurable courtroom experience assisting the judge with trials that ranged from complex contract disputes to first-degree felonies. That experience informed his decisions as an attorney and has led to a 20-plus year career working as an advocate for people in such areas as: real estate law including landlord tenant; personal injury law...

Joshua Shope earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Michigan, Magna Cum Laude, in 2006. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2010. During his time at the University of Michigan Law School, he was an Associate Editor on the Michigan Journal of Race and Law, and he interned at the Chippewa County Prosecutor’s Office. Prior to joining the Mike Morse Law Firm, Joshua worked for a large firm handling civil litigation cases. In his free time, Joshua enjoys spending time with family and reading.

Allen Ayoub graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with high distinction in 2010. He went on to earn his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he graduated third in his class of 329. Allen has represented accident victims for his entire legal career, recovering millions for his clients. He recently obtained a large trial verdict in Macomb County Circuit Court for over $300,000.00. In his free time, Allen enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and working out.

Madeline “Maddy” Sinkovich studied history and played softball at Kalamazoo College. While at K, Maddy studied abroad at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. She then received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. While at WSU, Maddy was the Chair of the Damon J. Keith Students for Civil Rights and awarded the Outstanding Law Student award by the Detroit chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. Maddy is a passionate advocate who believes in using the law for positive social change. Maddy is on the appellate team at the Mike Morse Law Firm where she uses her skills in...

Following completion of his undergraduate degree, Jim elected to stay in East Lansing for his legal studies. During law school he worked with the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office and Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Since 2010 his practice has focused on civil litigation, specifically premises liability, automobile negligence and No-Fault law. In his free time Jim enjoys playing sports, going to movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Attorney Katherine R. Sikorski graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelors degree in political science. After graduating, she attended Wayne State University Law School where she received her Juris Doctor. She also earned an LLM degree in taxation. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Eastern District of Michigan, and the Northern District of Illinois. Additionally, she is a state certified small claims mediator.

Katherine spent two years working for an esteemed firm in downtown Detroit which focuses pimarily on medical malpractice defense. Since founding The Sikorski Law Firm, Katherine has focused primarily on family law....

In 2005, Katrina graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors in Political Science. She then enrolled in Thomas M. Cooley Law School at their Grand Rapids campus. While at law school, Katrina was awarded the Certificate of Merit for her Advanced Trial Skills course. She was also on the Deans list for 4 consecutive terms. She participated in Moot Court and Mock Trial. She also did an externship with the Kent County Prosecutor’s office. After graduating law school and being sworn in to the bar, Katrina worked in a general practice firm for two years before moving to the Detroit area. Since...

Joshua B. Farr graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy and Political Science in December of 2003. He attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he graduated Cum Laude in January of 2010. He began his career in general practice with the Landau group where he had interned during Law School. From there he was hired as an Assistant General Counsel of an International Property Ownership and Management company. He was moved into the General Counsel role managing the legal affairs and overseeing litigation throughout the country. He served a dual role during this time as...

James has been with the Mike Morse Law Firm since 2014. He grew up in Troy Michigan and has been a lifelong Michigan resident. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and won regional competitions as a member of Moot Court and Commercial Arbitration as well as individual awards in trial and appellate advocacy. He earned his law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law, from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He has extensive experiencing in handling auto litigation cases. In his spare time, James is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hiking, hunting, and fishing.

Eakta Dave is a litigation attorney who loves to work hard for her clients. She graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, she worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Terrance Berg at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Eakta joined the Mike Morse Law Firm in 2022 and is eager to work hard to be the best advocate for her clients. She takes pride in the fact...

Attorney at The Mike Morse Law Firm.

Austin Bruce graduated from Michigan State University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in Economics. He then attended Wayne State University Law School, where he graduated in 2019 with his Juris Doctor. While attending law school, Austin clerked at law firms throughout Metro Detroit gaining experience in a variety of fields including criminal defense, medical malpractice, and personal injury. He also participated in a year long civil rights clinic offered through Wayne State. Austin joined the Mike Morse Law Firm in 2021, where he works in personal injury. In his free time, Austin enjoys spending time...

Adrienne Brown graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. While there she was actively involved in community outreach by volunteering throughout the city of Cleveland. She then earned her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University-Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she oftentimes was recognized on the Dean’s List. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, reading, shopping, event planning and traveling to new places. She is also a die-hard basketball fan.

Howard Eisenshtadt is a 1986 graduate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Detroit in 1989. He began his legal career as a No-Fault automobile negligence attorney in Southfield, Michigan. He’s secured large settlements for victims of car accidents, motorcyclists, defective products, dog attacks, and premises injuries. Howard’s legal experience also includes two decades in the title insurance and settlement services industry. He is a licensed title agent in several states, served as general counsel, and lead national enterprise sales executive with Detroit’s Amrock. Outside of the office Howard enjoys Michigan Football and...

Keith is an associate attorney who primarily handles the firm’s appellate practice. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he was a Centralis Scholarship and a State of Michigan Competitive Scholarship recipient. Keith then attended Wayne State University Law School where he achieved Honors Distinction in Legal Research and Writing and received a WSU Board of Governors’ Scholarship. Since 2001, He has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court. Over the...

Matt Bates has spent his entire career helping individuals injured in personal injury accidents. He pursued his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University. He graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2008. While at Wayne State, he won numerous mock trial competitions and served as the President of the Student Bar Association Board of Governors as well as Law School Representative to the University Student Counsel. Following graduation, Matt served on the Executive Board for the Wayne State Law School Alumni Association. In 2008, Matt joined the Mike Morse Law Firm as a litigation attorney. He currently specializes in auto,...

Chris Filiatraut has been an expert trial lawyer for his entire 26 year career. He has personally tried over 100 cases in the area of personal injury and No-Fault. He has numerous million and multi-million dollar verdicts to his credit and is widely known and respected by both plaintiff and defense counsels for his accomplishments in the courtroom. He has several of the largest trial verdicts in the state since joining the Mike Morse Law firm in 2010. Chris has testified before the Michigan Legislature on No-Fault issues and is a regular speaker at seminars around the state ranging on issues...

Nick's practice focuses on environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, and defending against alleged violations of environmental regulations. He also has experience in Real Property litigation, injury law and Default Servicing litigation.

Nick began his career with a commercial litigation and insurance defense firm in Chicago, Illinois, where he managed a national corporate compliance and insurance defense team responsible for defending claims on behalf of large industrial clients in several states across the country. His experience there included the defense of workers’ compensation matters, litigating and trying cases involving industrial accidents...

Michael Jaafar is an accomplished and highly sought-after attorney who has made a name for himself as a tenacious litigator and skilled advocate. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and an unrelenting drive to win, Michael has earned a reputation as one of the most formidable attorneys in the field. Michael's impressive track record of success includes settling a personal injury case for $2 million when the initial offer was only $25,000, as well as securing one of the largest class action settlements in history against McDonald's Corporation. He has also been recognized for his outstanding legal skills and accomplishments, having...

Attorney Lukas M. Sikorski graduated from the University of Michigan - Dearborn with a bachelors degree in anthropology and a minor in psychology in 2007. Lukas also attended the Warsaw School of Economics (Szkola Glowna Handlowa) in Warsaw, Poland. After graduating, he attended Wayne State University Law School where he received his Juris Doctor. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Eastern District of Michigan. He is also a state certified small claims mediator.

Before joining The Sikorski Law Firm, Lukas spent two years working for a solo practitioner in Wayne, Michigan. He also worked a...

Ben’s practice focuses on environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, assisting with chemical release response and cleanup and defending and resolving actual or potential regulatory violations. He also has experience defending against personal injury lawsuits, class action lawsuits relating to alleged nuisance odors, particulate matter and groundwater and soil contamination. Ben’s extensive practice also includes business issues and commercial litigation. He has assisted clients in their efforts to obtain environmental permits, resolving permit violations, and litigating denied permits under Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). He also has considerable...

Rich is a Founding Member of Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC. He has a national civil litigation practice with special emphasis on environmental litigation, products liability and chemical exposure matters. He has considerable experience in spill response and forensic analysis at historical sites of contamination. His experience also includes property transactions including environmental due diligence, hazardous waste, CERCLA and RCRA issues, and Michigan’s Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). Rich’s extensive practice also includes business issues and commercial litigation, construction law, mass torts, product liability, aviation law and due diligence and regulatory work on cannabis licensing

After practicing law...

Gary M. Wilson began trying cases in 1988 in the Office of the Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney in Detroit, Michigan. In 1992 he entered private trial practice as a criminal defense lawyer. Licensed to practice in Michigan and Massachusetts, he has also been admitted to practice before the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan. With 30 years of criminal trial practice, 26 for the defense, Gary has represented clients on a wide range of misdemeanor and serious felony charges. He is particularly experienced in the trial of vehicular- related cases, especially those involving extensive...

A staunch champion of injury victims throughout her career, Kira Damusis has a wealth of pre-litigation and litigation experience which she gained working as an attorney at a number of Detroit area law firms before joining The Smith Law Offices, where she has brought her expertise in handling automobile accidents, premises liability, dog bites, and has further expanded into family law, bankruptcy, debt negotiation and collections.

Kira first entered the world of personal injury practice before becoming licensed to practice working as a law clerk while she studied for the Michigan State Bar Exam. With both personal and professional experience of...

I have a small practice centered on clients who know the value of individual service and competent legal counsel. I avoid the hype of mass marketing and focus my time and energy on clients looking for honest advice and assistance with their legal problems. The phone consultation is free because I want to make sure I am the right lawyer for your problem and want you to feel the same way.

My firm represents people accused of crimes, traffic offenses, felonies, misdemeanors, assaultive crimes, drug crimes and financial charges (embezzlement, theft, larceny, conversion, etc.). I have tried many...

Canon J. Thomas graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies. During Canon’s undergraduate studies, he was very involved in his community. He co-founded the organization ReliveTheBAR, which is dedicated to strengthening the community between Black students and alumni of U of M through book drives and apparel. Canon was also a recipient of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit Award. Canon received his Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. During law school, Canon was a Dean’s Fellow, the inaugural Thurgood Marshall...

Lisa Screen practiced criminal law for over ten years before transitioning into the auto insurance arena in 2012. Screen has aggressively tried over 250 cases to a jury, and while as an assistant prosecuting attorney, she litigated several high-profile cases and was specially assigned to the Homicide Division for most of her tenure at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in Detroit, MI. She successfully convicted two individuals of murder despite the victim’s body never being located. Prior to working at the Prosecutor’s Office, she was an associate at a medical malpractice insurance defense firm. Up until she joined...