CMDA Law partner Jim Acho is continuing his representation of former University of Michigan football players after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit accepted their appeal on October 6, 2026. As reported by The Detroit News, the appeal follows the dismissal of the players’ proposed class action against the NCAA, Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network. The lawsuit seeks $50 million in compensation for the alleged […]

CMDA Law partner and sports law attorney Jim Acho recently appeared on WJR’s nationally-acclaimed radio show Focus with Paul W. Smith to discuss the U.S. Senate’s passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act. During the September 30 interview, Jim explained that he has long supported college athletes’ right to receive compensation for the commercial use of their name, image and likeness. He noted, however, that the current system has […]

CMDA Law is proud to announce that several attorneys from our Firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. The following attorneys have been selected to the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers list: Jim Acho, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense Joel Ashton, Top Rated Personal Injury Defense Jeff Clark, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal Tim Ferrand, Top Rated State, Class Action & […]

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 […]

We pointed out in a recent post that CMDA partner Jim Acho, a nationally respected sports attorney, appeared in Detroit to speak to clients for Lions Alumni Weekend. It was pointed out to Mr. Acho that this fall, Jim celebrates 25 years as legal counsel to the Detroit Chapters of the NFL Alumni and NFL Players Association. Jim was initially retained back in the fall 2000 by then-chapter presidents, ex-Lions […]

Every week in every NFL city, each team has an Alumni weekend where former players come in from out of town. A player usually goes in a ring of honor that weekend, and this year was no different as Robert Porcher went into the Lions Ring of Honor. Many former players came in for the festivities. Several ex-Lions requested CMDA partner Jim Acho be present. These sorts of weekends give […]

CMDA is proud to announce that several attorneys from our Firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. The following attorneys have been selected to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list: Jim Acho, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense Joel Ashton, Top Rated Personal Injury Defense Jeff Clark, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal Tim Ferrand, Top Rated State, Class Action & Mass […]

CMDA partner Jim Acho received a call on Saturday–the type of call he is receiving too often these days–that the greatest offensive lineman ever produced by the City of Detroit (HOFers Joe DeLamielleure and Reggie McKenzie were from Center Line and Highland Park) passed away last night after dinner with his family. Luis Sharpe was 66. Said Jim Acho, “Luis was a terrific guy whom I admired because he bounced […]