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Sixth Circuit Holds Serial Harasser's Conduct Violates Title VII

Four female employees sued Anheuser-Busch arising from sexual harassment claims against a male employee (Robinson) occurring over Robinson’s ten-year span of employment. Each time, the employer investigated the claims internally by interviewing the women and Robinson.

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Children Can Testify in Custody Disputes

In Surman v. Surman, the trial court allowed a 12-year-old boy to testify in open court during a custody trial regarding what type of abuse had occurred between the child and his father.

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Dog Attack Not "Provoked"

On January 8, 2008, the Court of Appeals issued a published opinion analyzing Section 287.351 of the dog bite statute in Koivisto v Davis. In that case, two huskies managed to escape from the kennel where they were being boarded and came over to the plaintiff's yard.

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From the Mouths of Babes...

In lieu of granting Defendant’s application for leave in a case involving the murder of a four-year old child, the MSC issued a memorandum opinion in People v Michael William Stamper, on December 27, 2007.

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COA Affirms That Election Law is Unconstitutional

In a case of first impression that has brought Michigan national attention, the Court of Appeals affirmed Ingham County Circuit Court's (Judge Collette) decision that rendered Michigan's new election law unconstitutional.

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COA’s Reversal of TPR TERMINATED!

On August 9, 2007, the Michigan Court of Appeals released an unpublished opinion reversing an order terminating parental rights. In re Engle, unpublished per curiam opinion of the Michigan Court of Appeals, released August 9, 2007.

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Court of Appeals Halts Downward Departure

In People v McNeil, the Court of Appeals found that the trial court had abused its discretion by granting the defendant a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines for reasons that were not substantially compelling.

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Attorney Contempt Upheld

On September 11, 2007, the Court of Appeals issued a published decision regarding attorney contempt and sanctions in DeGeorge v Warheit. A trial court had sanctioned plaintiff and his attorney for filing a frivolous lawsuit.

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It is Possible! COA Reverses TPR Case

In Michigan, it is well-known that termination of parental rights cases are very rarely reversed on appeal. Yet, in an unpublished opinion, DHS v Engle, released August 9, 2007, the Court of Appeals did just that.

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Getting Away With Murder

In a travesty of justice, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled on July 25 that the discovery rule is no longer applicable to wrongful death actions--even if it was impossible to bring the suit within three years of the death.

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Michigan Supreme Court Puts Birmingham Park "In The Doghouse"

On July 18, 2007, the Michigan Supreme Court issued its Opinion in Bloomfield Estates Improvement Association, Inc v City of Birmingham, holding a dog park to be a violation of a deed covenant restricting land use to solely residential purposes.

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Attorney Fees Requires Agency Relationship

The Michigan Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals' award of attorneys fees to the in pro per attorney under the Open Meetings Act in Omdahl v. West Iron Board of Education.

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