Category: Firm News

I see so many attorneys post their death settlements giddy with glee as I picture them with gold coins flowing through their fingers. I think it’s disgusting to clink wine glasses over the loss of life. Of course we want people to know we are great attorneys who handle big cases against big cities – so now you do.

We at Atnip Law, PLLC are great attorneys and handle big cases against big cities. Tada! But there’s something more important.

Janice Bauer. How many times do you hear about the person? Janice (67) was a phenomenal human being, she worked for SMART. Her church community loved her. She absolutely loved the City of Detroit, she loved her surviving brother and sisters, she was a huge Tigers fan. On the day she passed, she went to her favorite store in the Guardian building and when I interviewed the owner and security, they all said she was a light to others – a joy. He gave her an apple to go with her coffee. She loved her nieces and nephews. She carried a City of Detroit coin purse with her with the skyline wherever she went.

As expected, the City of Detroit put a great attorney on the other side, he fought fierce and fair – but also took a risk that maybe – just maybe – this case was more than just a big city death case. Maybe it was about Janice.

There’s a lot more to say which I’ll save for future reflection but for now we’re going to continue to emphasize the humanity in the victims and survivors we are honored to represent and give a voice to the void left behind.

With all of that – Atnip Law is awarding an annual scholarship in Janice Bauer’s name to be presented to two high school students starting in 2026 – details to follow. Although Janice never had children of her own, her legacy is going to provide a little lift to children into the future. I only wish that I had been able to meet Janice in life – I hear she was magical.

May 2025 marks the five-year anniversary of the devastating Midland dam failures that forced thousands of Michigan residents from their homes and caused widespread destruction across the region. As litigation continues, a recent court ruling has brought renewed hope to families still seeking justice.

Michigan Court Denies Motion to Dismiss Midland Dam Case

In a critical legal development, a Michigan court recently denied the State’s motion to dismiss claims brought by flood victims. This ruling allows survivors of the 2020 Edenville Dam failure to proceed with their fight for accountability and compensation.

The court’s decision was met with cautious optimism from residents and attorneys who have long battled what they describe as years of delay and obstruction. Barring further appeals, the case is scheduled to go to trial in January 2026 to determine whether the State of Michigan is liable. If found liable, a second trial will determine damages.

Understanding the Facts of the Case

The disaster began on May 19, 2020, after days of heavy rain raised Wixom Lake nearly 6 feet above normal levels. The Edenville Dam’s east embankment gave way, overwhelming the Sanford Dam and flooding communities downstream. The environmental impact was devastating: over $21 million in fishery damage and $91 million to freshwater mussel habitats. Plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that the State of Michigan was aware, well before the collapse, that the Edenville Dam failed to meet basic safety standards.

Darla Swales Shares Survivors’ Perspective

Darla Swales, an Edenville-area resident and legal assistant at our firm, was recently quoted in The Detroit News as the ruling made headlines statewide. In the article, she highlighted the frustration many residents feel with the slow pace of the case and emphasized the importance of this recent ruling. During a virtual press conference, Swales recalled the early days following the flood. “We had people that lost glasses and dentures and so many things,” she said. “Their lives were just gone.”

She also noted that while many residents have tried to rebuild, it has come at a high personal cost—depleted savings, mounting debt, and, for some, homes that remain uninhabitable.

For many families still recovering from the emotional and financial toll of the flood, it’s a sign that their voices are finally being heard.

The Future of the Midland Dam Case

An oral argument from the case is publicly available on YouTube, offering insight into legal arguments on behalf of flood victims. Several residents spoke out during press conferences and interviews, calling on the State to accept responsibility and stop prolonging the legal fight. As the case moves forward, Atnip & Associates PLLC remains committed to helping families pursue justice and rebuild their lives.

As Americans, we love fireworks. Once mostly associated with the Fourth of July, many people now enjoy watching or setting off fireworks and firecrackers for numerous occasions, including the winter holiday season.

But if you are thinking about attending or having a fireworks show for Christmas or New Year’s, we ask you to please reconsider, at least for this year.

PTSD and pets

For some, fireworks are not a harmless, colorful diversion. For example, veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder may be triggered by the loud explosions and flashing lights. Fireworks also tend to frighten dogs and other household pets.

The emotional pain that Metro Detroit is feeling

But most of all, many of us in the Rochester community are still reeling from the tragic shooting at Oxford High School, which happened just a couple of weeks ago. As we all know, four teens were killed, and seven more people were injured. The shock and grief caused by that horrible incident is still being felt throughout Metro Detroit, and the noise of fireworks could be a painful reminder of what happened on Nov. 30.

Nobody who sets off fireworks wants to cause harm or trauma to anybody else. But for this holiday season, it may make sense to keep the fireworks put away and find alternative ways to celebrate.

Facing prescription drug addiction and abuse, whether on your own part or in your family, is painful and difficult. To learn more about commonly-used prescription drugs as well as how abuse and addiction develops, shows up in symptoms and is treated, review this resource from help.org.