On October 4, 2007, I spoke at the ICLE No Fault Update Seminar in Plymouth, Michigan.  My topic this year was “The Plaintiff Lawyers Perspective on Insurance and Defense Medical Examinations,” and in particular to discuss the recent case of Muci v. State Farm, 478 Mich 178 (2007).  I was also asked to talk about strategies lawyers should employ in dealing with these compulsory defense medical evaluations in auto accident cases.

The audience at these seminars predominantly consists of defense lawyers and insurance adjusters.   Most of these lawyers and adjusters were already familiar with Muci.  It has already been widely heralded to lawyers and insurance company adjusters alike as an important “defense win” for the insurance industry in Michigan (as if they need another one). 

On Thursday October 25, 2007, from 7pm to 9 pm there will be an important forum addressing the extreme partisanship and politics of the Michigan Supreme Court.  The legal forum will be held at the Oleson Center at Northwestern Michigan College.  The legal forum is entitled “Courting Trouble: Threats to a Fair, Open, and Independent Michigan Supreme Court.”  Organizers include the League of Women Voters, Michigan Campaign Finance Network, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, and other pro-consumer groups in Michigan.  The Traverse City Record-Eagle is a sponsor of the event.   Brian Dickerson, the award winning journalist who has covered many of this Court’s most controversial decisions, is going to present his insight on some of the cases this Court has decided.  Another panelist, Rich Robinson, will identify the money trail and talk about the large campaign contributions being made to this extreme four justice majority by insurance companies and other groups trying to limit or deny access to courts for injury victims.  Republican Justice Weaver, a former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and an outspoken critic of the “gang of four” will also address the forum.