CMDA Law is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ronald Acho, a co-founder of the firm and one of the most respected members of the metro Detroit and Michigan legal communities. Ron passed away at age 80 following a courageous battle with cancer. Ron’s life was defined by determination, service, faith, and an unwavering devotion to family. Born Najah, he arrived in Detroit from Iraq as a child in […]

CMDA Law is proud to recognize Partner Carol A. Smith and her trial team for securing a significant result in a complex admitted-liability automobile negligence trial involving extensive injury claims, multiple surgeries, and allegations of permanent disability. The plaintiff alleged lumbar herniations and stenosis, cervical cord compression, and multiple bilateral shoulder tears. She underwent surgical repair of both shoulders, a three-level lumbar surgery, and was recommended to undergo a two-level […]

CMDA Law is pleased to recognize Partner Matt Cross for recently obtaining dismissal of a substantive due process claim filed in the federal court for the Western District of Michigan against a county in the Upper Peninsula. The dispute began when a county-owned regional airport decided to terminate its at-will agreement with a private Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services provider and take operations in-house to generate additional revenue for the […]

CMDA Law Partner Matthew Cross recently obtained dismissal of a negligence claim against a northern Michigan county drain commission in Roscommon County Circuit Court, reinforcing the importance of Michigan governmental immunity defense for municipal entities facing premises, roadway, and public infrastructure-related claims. The case concerned a woman who reportedly slipped and fell in a sinkhole in a beach-area subdivision. The Plaintiff alleged that the drain commission was negligent and was […]

In the past five years, the landscape of community association law in southeast Michigan has shifted dramatically. For attorneys representing condominium associations and co-owners in Oakland County, it has become evident that governing documents drafted 20 or 30 years ago are increasingly inadequate to address the realities of modern ownership. Condominium boards are now grappling with unforeseen pressures that threaten the stability of their associations. This includes the rapid expansion […]

CMDA’s attorneys are highly versatile. While a few focus on niche areas, most practice across multiple areas—bringing a broader perspective to the clients they serve. Partner Kevin Campbell and associate Daniel El-Sibai of the Livonia office are strong examples. Kevin focuses on appellate work, and Daniel on civil defense, yet both also contribute to the firm’s sports law practice. Last fall, we shared that Kevin attended a roast honoring longtime CMDA client Ike Blessitt. A […]

With a readership of 25 million, POLITICO is considered one of the top three news sources for politics among people ages 21-50. This week, CMDA equity partner Jim Acho was interviewed by the online magazine on the NFL’s Rooney Rule being challenged by the State of Florida.  If you are interested in the subject, below is the article: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/23/florida-nfl-rooney-rule-diversity-uthmeier-flores-00887872    James “Jim” Acho is an equity partner/shareholder in our Livonia […]

CMDA’s switchboard doesn’t usually light up after one of CMDA partner Jim Acho’s radio appearances, but today it did. Numerous people called in or emailed to say “Thanks for saying what needed to be said!” Give a listen to Jim today on WJR’s acclaimed Paul W. Smith Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/president-trump-holds-college-sports-roundtable/id707508884?i=1000754061479   James “Jim” Acho is an equity partner/shareholder in our Livonia office. He was named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Leader In […]

Protecting Your Inheritance: How a Recent Michigan Court Decision Empowers Property Heirs When a loved one passes away and leaves you their home, what happens if a dispute arises over who really owns it? Do you have to wait for the deceased person’s estate to handle the legal battle, or can you take action yourself? A recent unpublished decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals, Ohla Young v. Lisa Marie […]

Daniel W. Ferris, a partner in the Firm’s Riverside, CA office, attended the Southern California ReLIEF (SCR) 2026 Annual Conference in Rancho Mirage, CA from January 22-24. CMDA was pleased to be a sponsor of the Conference. SCR is a premier property and liability program for K-12 public school districts across southern California, and CMDA is proud to serve on their Attorney Panel. Seminar topics included an overview of the […]