Richard M. Apkarian, Jr.

Member

PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS

Represented automotive manufacturers and suppliers in numerous cases involving breach of contract, business torts and stop shipment threats, including pursuit of injunctive relief to maintain production of critical component parts and avoid plant shutdowns.

Represented employers and employees in non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, and trade secret disputes.

Represented condemning agencies and landowners in eminent domain litigation.

Represented businesses and individuals in personal injury, auto negligence and products liability litigation.

Represented businesses and individuals in contracts and business torts litigation.

Negotiated, drafted and counseled clients on various commercial agreements, including automotive supply contracts, purchase orders, standard terms and conditions, non-competes, non-solicitation agreements, nursing home resident contracts, landlord/tenant leases, confidentiality agreements and releases.

Counseled clients on litigation avoidance and good legal practices.

Successfully defended Magna Powertrain USA, Inc. and achieved no cause verdict after two-week trial where plaintiff, a tier II auto supplier, was seeking $20 million in lost profits.

Successfully Defended professional basketball player in four personal injury lawsuits arising out of the infamous "Palace Brawl" and achieved two summary dismissals and no cause jury verdict at trial.

Successfully represented 17 former officers and directors of healthcare management company in defense of $83 million lawsuit filed by providers of HMO, and achieved summary dismissal of 15 clients and favorable settlement of remaining two clients.

REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS

AutoNation USA

Chrysler LLC

Delphi Corporation

Lawrence Technological University

Life Time Fitness, Inc.

Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.

Oakland County Road Commission

Sodexo Management, Inc.

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

American Inns of Court, Oakland and Washtenaw County Chapters
Armenian-American Bar Association
Warrior Bar Association, Brother Rice High School Alumni
Oakland County Bar Association
Washtenaw County Bar Association, Co-Chairman of Trial Practice Section 2010 -2012

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Armenian General Benevolent Union, Special Projects Group
Manoogian Manor, Armenian Home for the Aged, Board of Trustees

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

“Proof is in the Pudding. How to Defend Against a Lost Profits Claim.” Michigan Bar Journal, November 2011.
Seminar Presenter, “Purchasing Pitfalls - How to Avoid Supplier Conflicts and Legal Problems”, Spring 2011.