About

Provided by Rhoades McKee

Our litigation team is best known for complex business, commercial, and shareholder litigation.  The firm leverages the specialization of four JD/CPA’s who practice in our business group, as well as another attorney who holds an LLM.  Further, our commercial trial lawyers have developed unique specializations, including litigation of complex business valuation matters.

Over 90% of our litigation attorneys are ranked in other programs including American College of Trial Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Martindale Hubbell.

In 2018, some highlights include:

  • Post-Acquisition Disputes. We assist both sellers and buyers when disputes arise after the sale and purchase of a company.  In one case, representing the sellers, we successfully resolved a claim against one of the company’s advisors and then initiated arbitration against the buyer to pursue the remaining purchase price.  We prevailed at arbitration and then entered into a settlement for the sellers valued at more than $2.25 million. 
  • Shareholder Cases. Sometimes litigation cannot be avoided.  We handled and resolved, a host of shareholder litigation matters in 2018.  We defended majority shareholders in a suit involving over 17 companies and, after months of smash-mouth litigation, resolved it for less than was offered by corporate counsel prior to litigation.  In another case, we represented the plaintiff and resolved the case for more than 100% of value, together with attorneys’ fees, following the first wave of discovery.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: General Commercial - Michigan

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Rhoades McKee is a Grand Rapids-centered commercial litigation group focusing on financial and accounting disputes. It also provides guidance on professional negligence actions, noncompete cases and shareholder disputes. The firm works with clients from a range of sectors, including financial services and retail.

Work Highlights

  • Rhoades McKee acted for LK Machinery in a claim filed by a former sales manager seeking commission for eight sales the plaintiff alleged he generated during the course of his employment.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

3
Bruce A. Courtade
3
Band 3

Bruce Courtade is an experienced commercial litigator noted for his experience representing construction and cannabis sector clients, among others.

Bruce is an exceptionally knowledgeable and sophisticated attorney. He is a genuine trial lawyer who knows his way around the courtroom. He is also a fantastic writer and crafts beautiful briefs.

Paul McCarthy
3
Paul McCarthy
3
Band 3
Paul McCarthy maintains a strong reputation in the legal community, with particular expertise concerning shareholder and corporate governance disputes.

Paul is bright, digs deep and leaves no stone unturned. He's the kind of lawyer you'd like to have on your side and not opposite you.

Ranked Lawyers at
Rhoades McKee

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Michigan

Litigation: General Commercial

3
Bruce A. Courtade
3
Band 3
Paul McCarthy
3
Paul McCarthy
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Rhoades McKee

Bruce Courtade

Bruce Neckers

Catherine Brainerd

David Bevins

Doug VandenBerge

G. Will Furtado

Gregory Timmer

Ian Northon

Jackie Appleman

James Poll

John Lichtenberg

Laurie Strong

Mark Fatum

Mark Smith

Mary Ann Cartwright

Patrick Ellis

Patrick Sweeney

Stephen Hulst

Head of Department

Clients

Provided by Rhoades McKee

Huntington Bank

Mercantile Bank

Michigan Turkey Producers

Steelcase

Industries

Provided by Rhoades McKee

Agriculture

Banking and Financial Services

Charities and Not for Profit

Commercial and Professional Services

Construction

Environmental

Healthcare

Insurance Defense

Manufacturing

Real Estate

Transportation