Michael LePard
Grand Blanc,Michigan
Summary
Dynamic Appellate Attorney with extensive experience at Jakeway, Jakeway & Jakeway, PC, excelling in litigation management and client representation. Proven track record in developing winning strategies and negotiating favorable settlements. Adept at legal research and case analysis, ensuring optimal outcomes for clients in complex civil and criminal matters.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Appellate Attorney
Self-employed
01.2003 - 03.2020
- Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Represented clients in civil litigation, criminal proceedings and appeals in state and federal courts.
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes.
- Developed strategies and arguments for hearings, trials and appeals.
- Drafted motions, petitions and waivers.
- Reviewed and analyzed pertinent state and federal laws and legal precedents.
- Counseled clients on potential outcomes of legal matters.
- Represented clients in court hearings and in negotiations with other parties.
- Interviewed and selected jurors to verify competency and lack of biases, presenting challenges for cause to dismiss unfit candidates.
- Presented key evidence and exhibits during civil trials.
- Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers.
- Interviewed witnesses and gathered public record research relevant to each case.
- Researched, wrote and filed motions, writs and briefs for each case.
- Created and finalized contracts and other legal documents for clients.
- Developed strategies for court proceedings and negotiations.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
- Negotiated settlements with opposing counsel.
- Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
- Analyzed legal documents and identified pertinent issues for clients.
Associate Attorney
Jakeway, Jakeway & Jakeway, PC
11.1997 - 01.2003
- Provided legal advice to businesses involved in multiple types of litigation.
- Assessed cases for probable outcomes by researching black letter law and other legal authority, comparing fact patterns to those of precedential cases.
- Resolved post-judgment litigation settlements and default judgment orders in favor of clients.
- Drafted [Type] documents on clients' behalf by balancing objectives and legal requirements and prohibitions.
- Provided legal counsel to clients on diverse business, financial and civil matters.
- Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Represented clients in civil litigation, criminal proceedings and appeals in state and federal courts.
- Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes.
- Developed strategies and arguments for hearings, trials and appeals.
- Drafted motions, petitions and waivers.
- Reviewed and analyzed pertinent state and federal laws and legal precedents.
- Counseled clients on potential outcomes of legal matters.
- Represented clients in court hearings and in negotiations with other parties.
- Presented key evidence and exhibits during civil trials.
- Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers.
- Interviewed witnesses and gathered public record research relevant to each case.
- Researched, wrote and filed motions, writs and briefs for each case.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
- Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
- Analyzed legal documents and identified pertinent issues for clients.
Education
J.D. - Law
Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, MIBachelor of Arts - Political Science And Government
Albion College
Albion, MISkills
- Primary authority research
- Court preparation
- Court appointed mediation
- Case analysis
- Westlaw expertise
- Document filing
- Oral argument
- Legal writing
- Discovery processes
- Efficient researcher
- Investigation skills
- Litigation management
- Case management
- Reviewing documents
- Argument writing
- Discovery
- Client counseling
- Negotiation
- Document preparation
- Strategy development
- Practice management
- Legal analysis
- Legal research
- Litigation
- Client representation
- Case file management
- Evaluating documents
- Settlement negotiation
- Document review
- Trial experience
- Drafting [Document]s
- Civil law
- Case interpretation
- Civil litigation
Certification
Admitted to State Bar of Michigan
Admitted to American Bar Association
Member Negligence Law Section
Member Young Lawyers Section
Member Appellate Law Section
Member Genesee County Bar Association
MTLA seminar What's the Appeal
6th Circuit Court of Appeals for Michigan Lawyers - From Basics to Best Practices
CM/ECF Training for the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Timeline
Appellate Attorney
Self-employed
01.2003 - 03.2020
Associate Attorney
Jakeway, Jakeway & Jakeway, PC
11.1997 - 01.2003
J.D. - Law
Wayne State University Law School
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And Government
Albion College