Kimberly J. Ruppel

Member, Telehealth Task Force Chair, and Health Care Litigation Task Force Co-Chair
Kimberly Ruppel is a Member of Dickinson Wright’s Troy, Michigan office. For over 20 years, Kim has provided counsel and representation to clients in a range of commercial and business disputes and litigation. Known as a trusted advisor with a skill for developing efficient and cost-sensitive solutions, Kim represents clients in matters related to healthcare litigation and disputes, licensing and regulatory matters, governmental fraud and abuse investigations, telemedicine issues, HIPAA compliance, ERISA and insurance claims and coverage disputes and probate, fiduciary and trust litigation pending before state and Federal courts and agencies.

Education & Credentials

Education

University of Michigan

B.A., 1990

Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University)

J.D., 1998
Yeshiva University

Bar Admission

  • Michigan

Acknowledgements

  • Best Lawyers in America®
    • Commercial Litigation, 2021-2024
  • AM Best Directory
    • Recommended Insurance Attorneys and Adjusters
  • Michigan Super Lawyers®
    •  "Rising Star," 2008

Representative Clients

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
  • Companion Life Insurance Company
  • Covenant Medical Center, Inc.
  • Continental Insurance Company
  • Dearborn National Life Insurance Company
  • The Dow Chemical Company
  • E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
  • Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership
  • Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
  • International Medical Clinic
  • JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
  • Lawrence Technological University
  • MassMutual Life Insurance Company
  • Mott Community College
  • The Hartford
  • TiaTech
  • Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
  • William Beaumont Hospital

Prominent Assignments

Commercial litigator with experience in class actions, electronic discovery, ERISA, probate and healthcare disputes.

Co-lead counsel for charter school in a million dollar contract dispute pending before the American Arbitration Association.

Co-lead discovery counsel for Ford Motor Company in a multi-billion dollar ERISA stock drop putative class action brought by 401k plan participants.

Counsel healthcare clients involved in governmental agency investigations related to Anti-Kickback, Stark and False Claims allegations.

Lead counsel for IndyMac Bank in a jury trial in Oakland County Circuit Court involving claims that a negligent real estate appraiser was partly responsible for the bank's damages arising from a mortgage default.

Successfully defended Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada against an appeal to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals involving whether the "Safe Harbor" regulatory exemption precluded the application of ERISA to an employer provided disability insurance policy.  

Represented Michigan’s largest health care company and insurance subsidiaries as part of the discovery team in a ten million dollar breach of contract and tortious interference litigation brought by a physical therapy provider group.

Co-lead counsel for a specialty film manufacturer in a fifty million dollar breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secret litigation. 

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in an ERISA claim involving issues of insurance coverage, employment discrimination, negligence and fiduciary duties.

Multiple successful representations of non-profit entities involving recovery of charitable gifts in disputes over donor mental capacity or undue influence.

Successfully represented fiduciaries and individuals in disputed probate and Trust litigation proceedings involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty, undue influence and self-dealing.

Professional Involvement

  • American College of Healthcare Executives, Member

Community Involvement

  • Steeplechase Condominium Homeowner’s Association, Board of Directors
  • Children's Advocacy Centers of Michigan
    • Board of Directors

Publications/Presentations

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