Wealth & Finance July 2017

Wealth & Finance International 42 The Complex Nature of Life ienner & Gould, P. C’s attorneys are highly regarded as practical and creative trial and appellate specialists. Judges and opponents respect the firm’s work, because of their excellent work product and winning strategies. Clients, both large and small, count on this firm to be their advocates. In terms of their expertise, they act as your agent and advocate during all stages of a case, the first stage of which is pre-trial dispositive motions as Dan K. Beitz explains to us. “W&G’s attorneys appreciate the time and cost associated with trying a lawsuit. In every appropriate case, we quickly and expertly collect rel- evant evidence and seek to obtain a pre-trial judgment in favour of our clients. In one recent case, for example, a prominent automotive client discharged its counsel from a large Detroit law firm in mid-litigation and retained W&G to get faster and more efficient results in a high-profile federal lawsuit brought by three dealers against this manufacturer. “Shortly after becoming involved in this case, W&G’s attorneys collected helpful deposition testimony and filed a motion seeking dismissal of all claims for damages allegedly totalling $8 million. Persuaded by W&G’s creative arguments, the federal court granted summary judgment in our client’s favour, enabling this manufacturer to avoid significant liability exposure at trial as well as ‘big firm’ litigation costs.” Dan then goes on to detail the next two stages of how the firm can assist you with a case, around the areas of trials & arbitrations and appeals. “Admittedly, however, we are happiest in the courtroom trying a case before a judge and jury. W&G attorneys won’t push you to settle a meritorious claim or defence. In one case, for example, our client relied upon our advice in deciding to reject several attractive settlements offers and then proceeded at trial to recover a multi-million-dollar judgment against a large Detroit hospital that was more than double the amount of the highest offered settlement. “In another case, W&G’s attorneys, through effective cross-examination at trial, compelled plaintiff’s own retained expert to contradict and ulti- mately undermine that party’s $6 million dollar claim against a national lease finance firm. “We also capably handle substantial appeals. In one recent appeal, before the Michigan Supreme Court, W&G briefed a very complicated issue involving principles of statutory construction. The result was that we obtained a favourable ruling for a large automotive firm, that poten- tially will affect every future fraud claim filed in the State of Michigan.” The firm’s attorneys have extensive first-chair trial experience representing Fortune 500 corporations, closely held companies, and individuals. They are supported by an experienced and talented staff and state-of-the-art technology, which permits the firm to effectively manage massive volumes of information pertaining to their cases. They work as a team to determine how best to achieve a significant and meaningful result for you. One seasoned member of the firm’s staff today is Daniel Beitz. In terms of his career background, he graduated from Michigan State University in political science in 1988 and from the University of Michigan Law School in 1992. After admission to the bar in 1992, Mr. Beitz joined the Detroit firm of Kitch, Sauerbier, Druchas, Wagner & Kenney, P.C. as a member of the insurance coverage team. At Kitch, he specialised in commercial general liability and errors and omissions policy analysis. Mr. Beitz also was appointed managing and contributing editor of the Michigan Insurance Bulletin, a firm publication. In closing, Mr. Beitz tells us more about his career background. “In 1994, I formed my own firm, Daniel K. Beitz, P.C., where I repre- sented a broad range of small and large businesses, specialising in commercial, employment and tort litigation. In 2004, I joined the Erskine Law Group, P.C., to focus solely on automotive litigation. At Erskine Law Group, I gained substantial recognition from clients and peers for my success in the trial courts, appellate courts, and before private arbitra- tion tribunals. I was also involved in sales tax recovery litigation. “I certainly have a broad range of litigation experience, as both a first and second chair trial counsel. I have handled hundreds of commercial, employment and tort matters, before state and federal trial courts. This includes appellate practice before the appeals courts in several states. I have also practiced before numerous public agencies, including tax tribu- nals, unemployment agencies and the Worker’s Compensation Agency. “I have advised auto suppliers and vehicle manufacturers on both pub- lic policy and regulatory compliance issues. I was certified by the U.S. government as a neutral EO investigator and was retained by both the Social Security Administration and the Transportation Security Agency to conduct independent inquiries of employment discrimination claims. “I am also a member of the Michigan State Bar and a member of the American Bar Association. I am admitted to practice before all Michigan state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan and I have been admitted to practice in other state and federal jurisdictions. I served on the board of directors of Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, a non-profit recreational charity.” Wienner & Gould, P. C. is a litigation boutique with an emphasis on complex business litigation, primarily in the areas of automotive, bankruptcy, class action, contracts, employment, franchise, shareholder, trade secret, securities and banking litigation. After their success in the 2017 Best in Dispute Resolution Awards, we interviewed Dan K. Beitz to find out more about the firm and his own career background. W 1706WF10