BIG FIRM PEDIGREE, SMALL FIRM EFFICIENCY

Kickham Hanley PLLC is a “boutique” law firm based in Royal Oak, Michigan specializing in complex commercial litigation, business and real estate transactions, and real estate tax appeals. At Kickham Hanley, we offer the credentials, experience and resources of a large firm with the efficiency and flexibility of a small firm. We are lean, nimble, and responsive, with plenty of horsepower. We handle deals and litigate cases all over the country.

BIG FIRM PEDIGREE, SMALL FIRM EFFICIENCY

Kickham Hanley PLL is a “boutique” law firm based in Royal Oak, Michigan specializing in complex commercial litigation, business and real estate transactions, and real estate tax appeals. At Kickham Hanley, we offer the credentials, experience and resources of a large firm with the efficiency and flexibility of a small firm. We are lean, nimble, and responsive, with plenty of horsepower. We handle deals and litigate cases all over the country.

Litigation

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Business Transactions

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Tax Appeals

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Class Actions

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Frequently Asked Questions About Municipal Class Actions

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT AJAX METAL PROCESSING V. CITY OF DETROIT

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MATE V. CITY OF COLDWATER

“PILOT 101”

Next Hearing Date:

April 10, 2026 at 10:30 AM via Zoom – Meeting I.D. 307 264 6183

Defendant City’s Motion for a Protective Order to Stay Discovery

“There were times when I had serious concerns about whether one side or the other would break. The amount of paper I’ve read in this case alone is significant. … There was robust discovery. We saw documents in ways that I could not imagine.”

Hon. Charles Hegarty, Wayne County Circuit Court, General Mill Supply v. Great Lakes Water Authority,February 23, 2024

"Kickham Hanley's legal victories have been the catalyst for getting communities to shift their billing practices. In the firm's case against Detroit, it was businesses — not residents — who sued to stop tens of millions of dollars in unfair ‘drainage charges,’ according to legal documents. The lawsuit not only won, it drew praise from the court that the law firm had exposed unfair billing practices and ‘provided a substantial benefit to society,’ according to the Final Judgment and Order issued in February [2018] by Wayne County Circuit Judge John A. Murphy.”

Detroit Free Press, October 8, 2018

“After the initial approach in this case, I think that this was resolved appropriately and reasonably. I know that the city at the outset was very staunch in their position that this was never going to be resolved. In fact, it’s been resolved, and I think it’s appropriate and reasonable for all the parties.”

Hon. Leo Bowman, Kish v. City of Oak Park, February 6, 2019

“KH undertook this litigation knowing that it possibly could last for years, require the expenditure of hundreds of attorney hours and tens of thousands of dollars in expenses, and ultimately result in a loss on a motion to dismiss, at summary judgment or at trial. In fact, KH received no compensation during the time this Lawsuit has been pending, and was never guaranteed the payment of any fee.”

Hon. John A. Murphy, Wayne County Circuit Court, Michigan Warehousing Group LLC v. City of Detroit, February 8, 2018

“Mostly, though, these savvy lawyers win.”

Detroit Free Press, October 8, 2018

“There is no question that the class received a huge benefit because, as I indicated in approving the settlement, that most likely no member of the class would have brought this lawsuit had it not been for Plaintiffs’ attorneys.”

Hon. Robert J. Colombo, Wayne County Circuit Court, Wolf v. City of Detroit, February 3, 2012

“[C]ounsel for the class I will say was in the Court’s view exceptional in his representation of the parties.”

Hon. Leo Bowman, Oakland County Circuit Court, Wolf v. City of Birmingham, February 3, 2016

“Obviously, it would not be worth the while of one class member to bring this lawsuit. So, class action attorneys in cases like this are benefiting society and members of the class who otherwise would not be probably pursuing these claims against the City.”

Hon. Robert J. Colombo, Wayne County Circuit Court, Wolf v. City of Detroit, February 3, 2012

“There’s no question this was a very complex case. Whenever you’re dealing with a Headlee Amendment issue, it’s among the most complicated issues that you can deal with in Michigan. . . . I must say I’m very impressed by the work that [Kickham Hanley has] done in this case and think that they have performed at the highest level.”

Hon. Robert J. Colombo, Wayne County Circuit Court, Wolf v. City of Detroit, February 3, 2012

“I’m satisfied that the counsel for the class was capable and able in this case . . . it comes out to be a win circumstance for the class members . . .”

Hon. Leo Bowman, Oakland County Circuit Court, Wolf v. City of Birmingham, February 3, 2016

“I have intimate firsthand knowledge of that which was required [in this case]. These are difficult cases. … The proposed distributions and the attorney fees, again, always are subject to searching scrutiny, but at the end of the day, I do find the one-third net of recovery fee that is described as a benchmark amount in common fund cases, is, in fact, as it relates to this case specifically, is appropriate.”

Hon. Charles Hegarty, Wayne County Circuit Court, General Mill Supply v. Great Lakes Water Authority,February 23, 2024

“I’m confident that with the number of just municipal class action settlements alone, that the Kickham Hanley PLLC firm has proven that they’re up to the task.”