Brian has been practicing law for over forty years and focuses his practice on professional liability defense, including the defense of legal malpractice actions. He also defends lawyers and judges in matters filed by the Attorney Grievance Commission and the Judicial Tenure Commission. He has been an active member of the State Bar for years, serving in various leadership roles, and has also served as president of the Association of Defense Trial Counsel, vice-president of the Mediation Tribunal Association, and a board member of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association.
In his inaugural address at the State Bar’s annual meeting, Brian stressed his strong regard for the legal profession and his belief that negative portrayals of attorneys in the media are often based on a misinformed understanding of what lawyers actually do. He observed that attorneys regularly engage in pro bono work, devoting countless hours to serving indigent parties. Yet that service is rarely noted in popular accounts of the legal profession.
Brian also indicated that he will focus over the next year on advocating for practical changes to Michigan’s legal profession that will enhance its image and promote justice. One of those changes—a cause advocated by immediate past president Bruce Courtade and Executive Director Janet Welch—is the elimination of anonymous issue advertisements in judicial campaigns. Brian also plans to revive discussion about the Michigan Judicial Selection Task Force’s 2012 recommendations for reform in the election and appointment of state court judges.
