Michael A. Ohly

Automotive Product Liability

• Served as national air bag and restraints counsel for automotive OEM in catastrophic injury suits.
• Performed discovery counsel role for automotive OEM – prepare corporate representative and 30(b)(6) witness depositions; coordinate voluminous document searches/productions and witnesses; work with engineers and experts to defend complex defect allegations.
• Defended major automotive manufacturer on various product liability claims, served as lead counsel on multi-million-dollar subrogation claims involving fire loss.

Product Liability/Consumer

• Defended national manufacturer in class action resulting in settlement of individual class representatives and dismissal.
• Secured voluntary dismissal for sump pump manufacturer.
• Obtained dismissal for supplier of air conditioning unit.
• Successfully defended contractor on breach of warranty/fraud case.
• Won motion to dismiss in federal court on six-figure warranty/lemon law case.

General Civil Litigation

• Obtained Temporary Restraining Order against national utility company.
• Drafted and argued summary disposition motion that expunged a deed in a property dispute case.
• Drafted motion for summary judgment that was granted for defendant on a $3 million lawsuit involving a loan.
• Defended employee on employee mobility lawsuit from prior employer.
• Obtained favorable settlement for employee in wrongful discharge case.
• Represented employee and defeated municipal employer’s motion for protective order in federal court to take deposition of municipality’s executive; took deposition to advance suit.
• Recovered half-million-dollar settlement of commissions on behalf of sales agent company.

Auto Negligence/PIP and Insurance

• Defended insurance producer from fraud claims, resolved with summary judgment motion.
• Obtained dozens of dismissals of fraudulent claims on behalf of no-fault insurer.

Corporate/Business

• Advised start-ups, create business entities and formation/operating agreement documents.
• Counseled businesses, draft and negotiate contracts.

Prior to joining the BSP team, Michael gained experience as an attorney at Erskine Law P.C. where he practiced in product liability and general civil litigation. Additionally, he was a legal representative for the Consumer Defense Clinic and the State Appellate Defenders Office Clinic.

Michael has served indigents through the Oakland County Bar Association Pro Bono Program where he obtained protective orders and judgments of divorce for victims of domestic violence. He also served as a volunteer Intake Attorney with MACC Legal in Detroit.

Michael is a graduate of Hillsdale College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics. While there, Michael was president of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. He went on to the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law to receive his J.D. in May of 2011. He was the recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship and Murray Feldman Scholarship. He received book awards for highest grade in Constitutional Law and Student Appellate Defenders Clinic. He also earned “Best Brief” in the PR Gallagher Moot Court.

Honors & Awards

Michigan Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2019 – present)

Professional Activities

Defense Research Institute, Products Liability Committee, Member and Automotive Specialized Litigation Group, Marketing Chair

Federal Bar Association Eastern District of Michigan, Member

Christian Legal Association of Southeast Michigan, Member, Board of Directors and Volunteer Attorney

State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, Member

National Eagle Scout Association, Lifetime Member

For Fun

3.5% Hawaiian and loves all things Polynesian

Favorite Activities: coffee, live music, and Dessert Oasis Coffee

Enjoys playing soccer and proud to hold a title in the Rochester Area Recreation League