Julie I. Fershtman, Attorney at Law
A National Leader in Equine Law
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WHY JULIE FERSHTMAN IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN THE FIELD OF EQUINE LAW:

Author of Books

Equine Law & Horse Sense

MORE Equine Law & Horse Sense

Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers  (co-author and co-editor).

 

Peer Recognition


Fellow and Secretary/Treasurer of the American College of Equine Attorneys.

One of less than 15 attorneys nationwide to earn this designation.

Equine Industry Honors

Recipient of these prestigious equine industry awards from respected equine organizations:

“Catalyst Award” - Michigan Horse Council

“Outstanding Achievement” Award - American Riding Instructors Association

"Partner in Safety" Award - American Riding Instructors Association

"Associate Service Award" - United Professional Horsemen's Association

National "Partnership in Safety" Award - CHA - Certified Horsemanship Association

Boards and Organizations (Partial List)

Service on these and other national boards and committees that serve the equine industry:

American Youth Horse Council

Equine Land Conservation Resource

Founder, “Equitana U” one of the Equine Industry's first ever Business & Professional Development Workshop

Planning Committee, University of Kentucky National Conference on Equine Law

Past Honorary Director, Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (“CANTER”)

Board of Advisors, American Riding Instructors Association

Board of Advisors, CHA - Certified Horsemanship Association

Vice Chair, American Bar Association Tort, Trial & Insurance Law Section's Animal Law Committee

Chair, ABA Tort, Trial & Insurance Law Section Animal Law Committee Sub-Committee on Insurance Law

National Article Publications (Partial List)

Monthly Equine Law column 1993-2011

Author of articles in 400 publications & websites

Co-Author, "Recent Developments in Animal Tort and Insurance Law," ABA Tort, Trial & Insurance Law Journal, sections on Equine Liability and Animal Insurance (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

Speaking Engagements (Partial List)

National Conference on Equine Law

Equine Affaire Convention (California, Massachusetts, and Ohio locations)

American Horse Council Annual Conventions

American Youth Horse Council Conventions

U.S. Dressage Federation Annual Meeting

Virginia Intermont College Two-Day Intensive Risk Management Seminar

American Morgan Horse Association Annual Convention

Hoosier Horse Fair

National Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration

All-American Quarter Horse Congress

American Riding Instructors Association Annual Convention

Midwest Horse Fair

U.S. Pony Clubs Annual Convention

North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Annual Convention

American Paint Horse Association Annual Convention

RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

2011    National Conference on Equine Law (Kentucky) American Youth Horse Council National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium (Michigan), and Agribusiness Conferences (California, Ohio, and Colorado).

2010  National Conference on Equine Law (Kentucky), 2010 State Bar of Michigan Animal Law Section Symposium (Michigan), Michigan Horse Council Internat'l. Expo (Michigan), Agribusiness Conferences in (Virginia, Ohio, and Iowa).

2012   Insurance Skills Center (Sacramento, CA; Denver, CO; Columbus, OH); American Bar Association Webinar (Livestock Insurance Issues).

ABOUT JULIE I. FERSHTMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW

Julie I. Fershtman, a Shareholder with the full-service law firm Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, is one of the nation's best known and most experienced Equine Law practitioners. 

The Practice

Crossing virtually all horse breeds and disciplines, she serves a national clientele of stables, industry professionals, associations, businesses, show management, insurers, trainers, international clinicians, exhibitors, and individual horse owners.

With extensive national trial, appellate, and arbitration experience, she has achieved numerous courtroom victories.  In 2004, alone, she won jury trials in 3 different states, 2 appeals, and a major Federal insurance case -- all on equine matters. 

Websites and Blog

Personal website www.fershtmanlaw.com

Firm website www.fosterswift.com  

Our blog: www.equinelawblog.com

Background

Julie is a graduate of Emory College and Emory Law School and has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1986. She has been admitted to practice in 12 jurisdictions as special (pro hac vice) counsel on equine cases. 

Honors & Awards

Legal Profession

  • Michigan Lawyers Weekly named her a "2010 Leader in the Law."
  • Crain's Detroit Business honored her as one of 15 "Women to Watch."
  • Named a "Michigan Super Lawyer®" every year beginning 2008.  
  • Rated “AV” (highest possible rating) by www.martindale.com
  • Listed in Who's Who in American Law
  • Rated 10.0/10 "Superb" (highest rating) by www.avvo.com.  

Equine Law Peer Recognition

Secretary/Treasurer of the American College of Equine Attorneys, and one of less than 15 lawyers ever to become a Fellow.

Equine Industry

Recipient of numerous awards from prominent equine organizations.

Writings

No other lawyer anywhere has written more on Equine Law.

Books

Author or co-author of the Equine Law & Horse Sense book series.  For more information, please visit www.equinelaw.info

Co-author of the ABA Book Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers.

Articles

Author of over 200 articles on Equine Law appearing in over 400 publications and websites.

Blog - NEW

www.equinelawblog.com

Speaking Engagements

Speaking engagements in 27 states, including the industry's largest conventions.

Bar Association Involvement

State

President (2011-2012) of the 42,000-member State Bar of Michigan.

Nationally

Vice-Chair of the ABA Animal Law Committee, part of the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Law Practice Section.  Chair of its Animal Insurance Law sub-committee.

EQUINE LAW TRIALS:  We try hard to bring our clients results.  In April 2008, Julie represented the plaintiffs in an equine sale fraud dispute in the Livingston County, Michigan, Circuit Court.  Not only did her clients win, but the judge also commanded the losing defendants to take back the horse and pay the plaintiffs substantial damages.  The court also ordered the losing defendants to reimburse her clients 100% of their attorney fees and 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.
Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.
32300 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 230
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Direct Phone Line: (248) 785-4731


IMPORTANT NOTE:

We're busy, but we always welcome new clients.  If you'd like to contact Ms. Fershtman, please remember that we must avoid ethical conflicts (since she represents individuals and entities nationally).  For this reason, we respectfully ask that you please do not e-mail, fax, or mail us any details of your potential legal case or matter.  Instead, please call Ms. Fershtman.  We will discuss your matter with you first, and if we cannot assist we will try to refer you to a lawyer in your area. 

EQUINE LAW BOOKS AVAILABLE!

Learn more about Equine Law!  Julie Fershtman's books are easy to understand and were written to help you AVOID legal disputes.  MORE Equine Law & Horse Sense sells for $22.95 + $5 shipping and handling, and Equine Law & Horse Sense sells for $17.95 + $5 shipping and handling. Order both books together for the discounted price of $42.90, which includes first-class shipping. Call Horses & The Law Publishing at 1-866-5-EQUINE, a toll-free/24 hour number. Prompt shipping guaranteed.  Or, send check or money order to Horses & The Law Publishing, P.O. Box 250696, Franklin, MI 48025-0696.

The Equine Law & Horse Sense books are written in a down-to-earth style that you can understand.  The books do not include form contracts.  Numerous equine studies programs require these books in their curriculum.  (Sorry, we cannot ship in Michigan.)

Attention Lawyers and Paralegals:  Julie's newest book is entitled Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers.  Julie co-authored the book in 2009 for the  American Bar Association.  The book, written for lawyers, includes sample court filings, letters, and agreements.  We sell the book direct for $100, plus $5 shipping. (Sorry, no books shipped in Michigan).  To order, call Ms. Fershtman directly.