About Rick Houghton
Rick is an attorney in the firm’s litigation division. He prides himself on providing excellent client service, communication, and protecting the rights of injured auto crash victims. Rick and Brandon Hewitt partnered to achieve the largest pain and suffering jury verdict for a car accident in Ottawa County history – a trial verdict that was over 10 times the defendant’s final offer.
Rick practices in Michigan Auto Law’s West Michigan office, located in downtown Grand Rapids.
Client Testimonials
“One ordinary Friday commute home changed my life forever when I was involved in an auto accident. I researched attorneys for a long time before I decided to even talk to anyone. I reached out to Michigan Auto Law and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Rick Houghton is an extremely knowledgeable and compassionate attorney. He always treated me with respect and answered all of my questions. For two years, Rick Houghton was always the first person to contact me about any of my doctor’s appointments. He helped me through a situation I wish I was never involved in. He truly cared about my well being and his number one goal wasn’t money but me being as pain free as possible. He fought hard for me and I got a great settlement! If you find yourself looking for an attorney after an auto accident I 100 percent recommend Rick. Thank you for all you did for me!” – Chloe Silver, Muskegon, MI
LOAD MOREWorking with Rick
As an avid rider, Rick also works with many injured motorcyclists. Recently, Rick won a $400,000 settlement for an injured motorcyclist who was hit by a negligent driver, where the insurance company was refusing to take responsibility, disputing both how the crash occurred and the extent of his client’s injuries.
Education
University of Minnesota School of Law, Juris Doctor
- Cum Laude
- Dean’s List
Willamette University College of Law
- Top 10
Universita Commerciale Luigi Bocconi – Milan, Italy
- Studied EU Law
Michigan Technological University, Bachelor of Science – Marketing and Management
Published Articles
Negligent Entrustment After Bennett, The Grand Rapids Lawyer – March/April 2018
Mitigating Property Damage: The Duty v. The Ability, Minnesota Trial – Fall 2014
Future Medical Expenses to a Reasonable Degree of Certainty? Is that the Standard?, Minnesota Trial – Spring 2013
Honors
Rick has been named to Grand Rapids Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in 2021 – 2023. He has also been selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list annually since 2014. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The honor is limited to the top 2.5 percent of lawyers in each state.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
- Michigan Association for Justice
Professional Licenses
State Bar of Michigan
State Bar of Minnesota
Federal:
- Western District of Michigan
- District of Minnesota
Legal Experience
Rick has considerable experience as a personal injury attorney. Before joining Michigan Auto Law as a trial and litigation attorney, he practiced in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a premier personal injury firm where he obtained millions in total settlements for the people he was helping.
Extensive Pro Bono Work
Rick began his legal career as a volunteer attorney at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, in St. Paul, Minnesota, helping low income clients with housing matters. Rick tried multiple eviction and rental repair cases on behalf of his clients, at no cost to them.
Legal Seminars
- Speaker, “Leveraging Demand Letters to Obtain High Settlements in Auto Accident Cases,” Strafford Webinars; National; May 15, 2024
- Speaker, Winning the Minimal Impact Soft Tissue Car Crash Case; 360 Advocacy’s Auto, Truck, Damages Extravaganza; Las Vegas, NV; June 6, 2023
Notable Cases
- $1.225 Million Car Accident Wrongful Death Settlement – Confidential
- $1.25 Million Motorcycle-Auto Wrongful Death Settlement
- $1 Million Wrongful Death Settlement – Confidential