Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook

The Kitch firm has a specialized practice consisting of experienced appellate attorneys who have handled hundreds of appeals and have been acknowledged by the legal community for their excellence. The firm's appellate attorneys include the former longtime chairperson of the State Bar of Michigan's Appellate Court Administration Committee as well as former and current members of the State Bar of Michigan's Appellate Practice Section Council. Through their active roles on several committees, these attorneys are able to keep the firm especially current on the appellate court developments, both in Michigan and nationwide.

Drawing on their special understanding of the technical aspects of the law, the appellate attorneys are able to provide dynamic assistance to our litigation attorneys facing complex litigation issues in the trial courts. Additionally, they are able to support our clients' efforts to establish, maintain, and take best advantage of tort reform.

Representative Cases

Craig v. Oakwood Hospital, 471 Mich. 67 (2004) In this referred appeal, the Kitch firm served as co-counsel for Henry Ford Health System and succeeded in obtaining reversal of a $40 million judgment and secured a defense verdict on a successor liability claim.

Garg v Macomb County Community Mental Health, 472 Mich 263 (2005) In this employment discrimination case, the judgment for plaintiff was vacated and defense verdict ordered; the Court overruled 20 years of precedent in holding the "continuing violations" doctrine no longer applicable in discrimination actions.

Jenkins v Patel, 471 Mich. 158 (2004) In this referred appeal, the firm represented Comprehensive Health Services at the request of Employers Reinsurance Corporation and succeeded in persuading the Michigan Supreme Court to reverse a verdict of $10 million and reduce it to under $400,000 by applying the cap on non-economic damages in this wrongful death action alleging medical malpractice action.

Taylor v Gate Pharmaceuticals, 468 Mich. 1 (2003) In this product liability action, the firm successfully represented SmithKline Beecham Corporation in persuading the Court to uphold the constitutionality of Michigan's drug product liability tort reform act.

The Kitch firm was co-founded in Detroit in 1969 by Richard A. Kitch and Richard F. Suhrheinrich, now a Senior Federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge.

Historically, the Firm has attracted a diverse pool of attorneys and staff, seeking only the most talented individuals to serve our clients.

The Kitch firm was recognized in 2006 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as the Detroit area law firm with the highest percentage of women attorneys (41%) and the highest percentage of female partners (27%).

The Kitch firm recognizes and celebrates the concept of diversity and  equal opportunity in the workplace.