About the MDTC

Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) was established in 1979 to enhance and promote the Defense Bar.

MDTC exists to facilitate greater exchange of views and advance the interests of civil defense

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Summer Meeting Boyne Highlands

06/12/2009 08:00
06/13/2009 16:00

Thinking Outside the (Jury) Box

Using Jury Selection Strategies To Evaluate and Prepare Your Case from Answer Through Trial 

Trial attorneys have long used mock juries to evaluate jury reactions to their evidence and arguments before a case goes to trial. But, what if we could tap into the minds of jurors during discovery and even before mediation or case evaluation?

According to a joint survey released in September 2008 by the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Institute for Advancement of the American Legal System, 83 percent of the nearly 1,500 lawyers who responded found that costs, not merits, were the deciding factor in settling a case. Wouldn’t it be nice to know whether a case is worth the cost of trial early on?

At the MDTC Summer Meeting, you can:

Robert Schaffer's picture

Message from MDTC President

Thinking Ahead About Your Practice and Our Organization

If you litigate cases in Michigan, MDTC is a resource that should be a part of your tool kit. Drawing on the work of its many remarkable leaders and contributors, MDTC is committed to providing the best educational programming, up to date information, and networking tools designed to promote success for all MDTC Members.

While the economy has adversely impacted our industry like most others, MDTC remains strong. Why?

Seventeenth Annual Excellence in Defense Award

For Immediate Release Contact: Madelyne C. Lawry Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, Inc. (517) 627-3745 March 12, 2009 MICHIGAN DEFENSE TRIAL COUNSEL ANNOUNCES RECIPIENT OF SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL “EXCELLENCE IN DEFENSE AWARD”

Lansing, MI, March 12, 2009—The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) has announced that Lansing attorney James E. Lozier has been selected to receive the Seventeenth Annual Excellence in Defense Award.  He will be honored Saturday, June 13, 2009 at the annual award banquet as a highlight of MDTC’s Annual Meeting and Conference that is being held at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Sean Fosmire's picture

Electronic Discovery

Court rules affected - 2.302, 2.310, 2.313, 2.401, 2.506
Adm. no. - 2007-24
Issued - 12-16-08
Effective - 1-1-09

The previously proposed amendments were adopted.

1. New subsections (5) to (7) have been added to MCR 2.302, governing the Scope of Discovery:

(5) Electronically Stored Information. A party has the same obligation to preserve electronically stored information as it does for all other types of information. Absent exceptional circumstances, a court may not impose sanctions under these rules on a party for failing to provide electronically stored information lost as a result of the routine, good-faith operation of an electronic information system.

Robert Schaffer - 2008 MDTC President

 

Robert Schaffer - 2008 MDTC PresidentMichigan Defense Trial Counsel, Inc. Announces 29Th President.

Robert H S. Schaffer has been elected President of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) for 2008-2009. Mr. Schaffer the founder of Robert H S. Schaffer, PC in Flint, Michigan and is also Chief Legal Officer for Radiology Business Solutions, LLC, also headquartered in Flint.

Public Notice of Reappointment

United States District Court Eastern District of Michigan

Public Notice of Reappointment of Incumbent Magistrate Judge Charles E. Binder

2009 Excellence in Defense Award

The Seventeenth Annual Excellence in Defense Award Nominations Packet is now available for download here, see attached PDF.

Golden Gavel Award 2009

06/13/2009 12:00

The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel is pleased to announce its Fifth Annual presentment of the Young Lawyers Section -- Golden Gavel Award which will be presented on Saturday June 13, 2009. Download the information packet here.

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