Collins Einhorn Farrell PC Announces New Partners

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Jan. 14, 2015 - PRLog -- Collins Einhorn Farrell PC, a leading defense litigation firm, is pleased to announce that the following five attorneys have been elected partners in the firm: Geoffrey M. Brown, Trent B. Collier, Katherine A. Crowley, Melissa E. Graves and Julie E. Nichols.

Geoffrey M. Brown is a partner in the firm’s appellate group, focusing his practice primarily on defense of medical malpractice and legal malpractice cases at the appellate level and at the Summary Judgment/Disposition stage. Geoff also handles a variety of professional liability, commercial liability and general liability appeals, as well as insurance coverage work. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Appellate Practice Section and Insurance and Indemnity Law Section, and the Oakland County Bar Association. Geoff has been listed in Super Lawyers™ every year since 2008 when he was included on its Michigan Rising Stars™ list from 2008-2012 and more recently on the listing of Michigan Super Lawyers since 2013. Geoff has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the Top Lawyers 2012 and 2013 issues of DBusiness^® for his work in appellate law. Geoff was chosen as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 20 “Up and Coming Lawyers” in 2010. Geoff is the Information Officer and Past President for the University of Michigan Alumni Club of Greater Northville.

Trent B. Collier is also a partner in the firm’s appellate group. His practice focuses on civil appeals, professional-liability defense, and commercial litigation. He is well-versed in bankruptcy law, and is a great resource when the firm’s clients must defend adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court. Trent is a co-chair of the Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Michigan’s Appellate Practice Section. He is also a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan’s Appellate Practice Section, and the American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects (SCRIBES). Trent was selected as a Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Trent attended Ohio Wesleyan University (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), Harvard Divinity School, and the University of Michigan Law School (Order of the Coif). Before joining Collins Einhorn, Trent was a partner at another major Detroit-area law firm. He also served as a judicial clerk for Hon. Robert P. Young, Jr. on the Michigan Supreme Court. He is a frequent author, writing on areas including appellate practice, judicial philosophy, evidentiary issues, constitutional matters, and developments in insolvency law. Trent has successfully defended clients in federal, state, and bankruptcy courts, and at both the trial and appellate levels.

Katherine A. Crowley is a partner in the firm’s nationally recognized mass-tort defense group. Her practice centers on the defense of asbestos personal-injury cases, as well as other toxic tort matters. In addition to defending claims in Michigan, Katie spends much of her time assisting in the defense of asbestos personal-injury cases nationwide. She focuses on developing discovery and deposition strategies for her clients. Katie is a member of the American Bar Association, the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, the American Defense Trial Counsel, the Oakland County Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute. In 2014, Katie was named one of Michigan’s “Rising Stars” by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Melissa E. Graves is a partner in the Professional Liability and General Liability groups within the firm. She focuses her practice on the defense of professional liability claims and has represented a wide array of professionals, including attorneys, real estate agents, insurance agents, and health care professionals. Melissa is also involved in the defense of judicial disciplinary matters.  In the general liability arena, she defends claims arising out of auto and trucking accidents. Her experience includes representing clients from the pre-suit phase through trial and she has been successful in obtaining favorable rulings in a number of appellate matters. Melissa is a Past President of the Oakland County Region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (2013-2014) and is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association. Melissa was selected as a Michigan Super Lawyer in 2013 and 2014 and a “Rising Star" in 2010 and 2012. She was also selected by her peers for inclusion in the Top Lawyers 2012 issue of DBusiness for her work in legal malpractice law.

Julie E. Nichols is a partner in the Insurance Coverage group within the firm. Her practice focuses on a broad range of general liability, construction, automobile, homeowners, professional liability, umbrella/excess and other specialty coverage matters. Julie’s practice also has included a wide variety of civil matters, including premises liability, the Michigan No-Fault Act, employment defense, and general negligence cases. Julie has successfully defended substantial claims on summary judgment, in trial, and on appeal, and has substantial experience in various forms of alternate dispute resolution.

About Collins Einhorn Farrell PC

Founded in 1971, Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is a multi-specialty law firm headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. As one of the leading law firms in defense litigation, the firm provides expert legal representation in a wide variety of industries throughout the Midwest. The firm’s practices areas include professional liability, asbestos/toxic tort, insurance coverage, appellate, fire and explosion, general and automobile liability, medical malpractice, and employment and workers compensation.

For more information, visit www.ceflawyers.com or call 248-355-4141.