Mr. Doerr founded Doerr Law Firm after spending the first 12 years of his career at a national law firm, where Mr. Doerr advanced to member/partner after just 7 years. At the firm, Mr. Doerr learned how to handle every aspect of the case, from legal research and writing to trials. Mr. Doerr has had success in a variety of trial and appellate courts, both state and federal. In addition, Mr. Doerr has successfully resolved matters through various forms of alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Doerr represents individuals and businesses of various sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.  He is also a trained mediator.

In March 2023, Mr. Doerr, along with Sara MacWilliams and Derek Howard, launched a new specialized business firm, Doerr MacWilliams Howard PLLC, built on professionalism, efficiency, and tenacity.

 

 

Awards & Recognition
Recognized as a Top 100 attorney by Michigan Super Lawyers®, 2020-2024

Recognized as a "Go To Lawyer" for Real Estate by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2021

Recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers® for Business Litigation, 2013-2024

DBusiness Top Lawyer 2021-2024

Recipient of the OCBA's Professionalism Award, 2023 

Co-Chair of OCBA's Business Court Committee in 2021, winning committee of the year

Recognized as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers®, 2012

Avvo's Clients' Choice Award, 2016-2018

"Superb" 10 out of 10 Rating on Avvo

10.0 Lawyer Rating on Justia

Recognized by Elite Lawyer, 2018-2023

Legal Aid and Defender Association's Pro Bono Spirit Award, 2004, 2015

Education
University of Michigan, B.S.

• with distinction

• James B. Angell Scholar

Wayne State University, J.D.

• Magna cum laude

• Order of the Coif

• Law Review

Licenses, Admissions, Training
Law

• Michigan

• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

• U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit

• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan

Real Estate

• Broker

Mediator​

• Completed the Institute of Continuing Legal Education's
  General Civil Mediator Training

• Completed Practical Experience Program at Oakland Mediation Center

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Prior Experience
Dykema Gossett PLLC
2003-2010, associate
2011-2015, member

Publications
How to Grow from a Solo to a Small Firm, LACHES, June/July 2023 (No. 659)

 

Best Practices for Drafting Engagement Agreements, Michigan Bar Journal, May 2022, Vol. 101, No. 5

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Choosing the Right Mediator for Your Business Dispute, LACHES, March 2022 (No. 646)

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Participating in Court Hearings via Zoom (ICLE Top Tips in Ten Minutes), May 2020

​

Regulating Short-Term Vacation Rentals in Michigan Using Existing Remedies and New Legislation, Michigan Real Property Review, Spring & Summer 2018

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Two Lawsuits Are Not Better Than One: Giving District Courts the Power to Award Money Damages Exceeding $25,000 in Summary Proceedings, LACHES, June/July 2016 (No. 589)

Universal City Studios v. Corley: Web Owners Beware, Do Not Speak Of Your Neighbor's Website, Fall 2003, 48 Wayne L.Rev. 1527

​Memberships & Involvement

Michigan State Bar Foundation

• Member​

Oakland County Bar Association

• ADR Committee (2018-19 Co-Chair)

• Business Court Committee (2020-21 Co-Chair)

• Case Evaluator

• Circuit Court Committee

• Real Estate Committee

• Sustaining Member

Oakland County Bar Foundation

• Fellow

Oakland Mediation Center

• Volunteer

State Bar of Michigan​

• Litigation Section

• Real Property Section

• Solo & Small Firm Section (2022-23 Vice Chair)​

University of Michigan​

• ​​​Letterwinners MClub​​

 

Significant Decisions​

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J-Bob LLC v. Mike's Garage / LaRocca's Towing, LLC​, 2017 WL 395288 (E.D. Mich. 2017)

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Successful defense of a lawsuit filed by parties claiming a towing company wrongfully converted and acquired title to a motorhome valued at $350,000.  The plaintiffs asserted claims of conversion, replevin, fraud, and abuse of process, seeking treble damages exceeding $1 million.  In lieu of answering the complaint, Doerr Law Firm, on behalf of the company, filed a motion to dismiss.  In the motion, the company argued that Plaintiff’s exclusive remedy was governed by Michigan’s abandonment statute, MCL § 257.252a, et al, which the plaintiffs failed to honor.  The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan agreed, finding that parties could not circumvent Michigan’s statutory scheme by putting different labels on their claims.  The court granted the motion and dismissed the case with prejudice.

​

​Kim v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 493 Mich. 98; 825 N.W.2d 329 (2012)

​

The Michigan Supreme Court held the plaintiffs must show that they were prejudiced by a purported failure to comply with Michigan’s foreclosure by advertisement statute in order to set aside an allegedly defective or irregular foreclosure. As of December 2017, this case has been cited over 750 times.​​

Oxford Inv. Group v. Fourslides, Inc., 2012 WL 2913616 (Mich. App. 2012)

​

The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed a decision by the Oakland County Circuit Court finding various companies liable on a breach of a contract claim seeking over $1 million in damages. The courts rejected the companies’ argument that the transaction documents were ambiguous because they were not specifically identified in the documents.​

Matrix Constr. v. Malow, 2006 WL 399762 (Mich. App. 2006)

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The Michigan Court of Appeals held Barton Malow, as construction manager, did not owe any recognized separate and distinct duty to a subcontractor as a matter of law and, therefore, the Wayne County Circuit Court correctly granted summary disposition to Barton Malow​.

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The above, select cases are for informational purposes only.  Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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