ABOUT JULIE I. FERSHTMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW:
Julie I. Fershtman is one of the best known and most experienced Equine Law practitioners in the United States.
The Practice
Crossing virtually all horse breeds and disciplines, her law practice serves a national clientele of stables, industry professionals, associations, businesses, show management, insurance companies, trainers, international clinicians, and individual horse owners.
With extensive trial, appellate, and arbitration experience, she has achieved numerous courtroom victories on a national level. In 2004, alone, she won jury trials in three different states, two appeals, and a major Federal insurance case -- all on equine matters. Her personal website, with more information, can be found at www.fershtmanlaw.com.
Background
She is a 1983 graduate of Emory College, earning two bachelors degrees, and a 1986 graduate of Emory Law School. A member of the Michigan Bar since 1986, she has been admitted to practice as specially approved (pro hac vice) counsel on particular equine-related cases in twelve jurisdictions across the country.
Honors & Awards
Legal Profession
She is rated “AV” [the highest possible rating a lawyer can receive for abilities and ethics] by Martindale-Hubbell, an independent lawyer rating service (www.martindale.com) and has been listed in Who's Who in American Law and The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. She was named a "Michigan Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics Magazine in 2008.
In 1995, the American Bar Association’s Barrister Magazine named her one of “21 Young Lawyers Leading the Nation Into The 21st Century.” In 1996, Crain's Detroit Business selected her as one of "40 Best and Brightest Business Leaders Under 40" in the Metropolitan Detroit area. More recently, she was named one of Michigan's "100 Most Influential Business Women" by Crain's Detroit Business in 2007. She became the youngest recipient ever of the prestigious “Professionalism Award” from the Oakland County Bar Association (www.ocba.org), Michigan’s largest voluntary bar association.
Equine Law Peer Recognition
She was recently named a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Equine Attorneys, making her one of very few lawyers nationally to receive this distinction.
Equine Industry
For her service to the equine industry, Ms. Fershtman has received several distinctions. CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) honored her with its prestigious national "Partner in Safety" Award in 1997. In 1998, the American Riding Instructors Association presented her with an “Outstanding Achievement” Award, and she received the organization's "Partner in Safety" Award in 2007. She received an “Associate Award” from the United Professional Horsemen's Association in 1998. In 2002, she was honored with the Michigan Horse Council’s “Catalyst Award.” She is one of a select group of lawyers nationwide profiled online by the American Bar Association (ABA) “Profiles in the Profession.”
Writings
Books
Ms. Fershtman is the author of three books. Her first two books are Equine Law & Horse Sense (published in 1996) and MORE Equine Law & Horse Sense (published in 2000). For more information, visit www.equinelaw.info.
Her third book, Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers, was written for lawyers and offers sample letters and litigation forms. She is co-author and co-editor. The American Bar Association (www.abanet.org) is publisher of the book.
Articles
Her Equine Law articles have appeared in over 400 publications and web sites.
Speaking Engagements
With engagements in 27 states, including the equine industry's largest conventions, Ms. Fershtman is the nation’s most sought-after speaker on Equine Law.
Bar Association Involvement
State
Extensively involved in Bar Association (lawyer organization) activities, she is currently the Secretary of the 40,000-member State Bar of Michigan (www.michbar.org) and past Secretary of the Oakland County Bar Association (www.ocba.org). She is also a Trustee of the Michigan State Bar Foundation (www.msbf.org).
Nationally
She is a Vice-Chair of the ABA's Animal Law Committee, which is part of the ABA's Tort, Trial & Insurance Law Practice Section, and Chair of its sub-committee on Animal Insurance Law.
The Team
Joining Ms. Fershtman in her practice is April L. Neihsl. April is a 2006 cum laude graduate of Wayne Law School, where she was an editor of the Wayne Law Review. She is a 2003 graduate, with High Honors, from Michigan State University, with an Animal Science major. April's life-long involvement with horses brings tremendous expertise to the many Equine Law matters on which she works.
ANOTHER EQUINE LAW TRIAL VICTORY: On April 2, 2008, Ms. Fershtman represented the plaintiffs in an equine sale fraud dispute in the Livingston County, Michigan, Circuit Court. The judge ordered that the defendants take back the horse and awarded the plaintiffs substantial damages. At a hearing on May 16, 2008, the Court awarded the defendants to pay the plaintiffs over $40,000 in attorney fees and court costs.
Why Hire Our Firm?
Sometimes equine-related legal matters and disputes call for experienced lawyers who combine knowledge of the horse industry with expertise in handling business law, insurance law, and complex commercial matters. We truly believe we have that unique expertise and have the results to prove it. We are proud to be "Equine Lawyers" who deeply understand the industry, serve it honorably, have strong connections within it, and work tirelessly and aggressively on our clients' behalf.
Visit the Firm Web Site
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Julie I. Fershtman, Esq.
Of Counsel to
Zausmer, Kaufman, August, Caldwell & Tayler, P.C.
31700 Middlebelt Rd.
Suite 150
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 851-4111, ext. 160
IMPORTANT NOTE:
We're busy, but we always welcome and value new clients. If you are interested in contacting Ms. Fershtman, please remember that we need to avoid ethical conflicts (since Ms. Fershtman is counsel for several individuals and entities nationally). For this reason, we ask that you please do not e-mail, fax, or mail us the details of your potential legal case or matter. Instead, please call Ms. Fershtman or her associate during normal business hours at 248-851-4111. They will discuss your matter with you first. Sometimes, if we cannot assist you we will make every attempt to refer you to a lawyer in your area.
