Mary C. Aretha
Mary C. Aretha
248-663-7721
Summary
Mary has significant experience defending professional liability claims from the pre-suit phase through trial preparation. Mary has successfully defended a variety of professionals, including attorneys, insurance agents, architects, engineers, and accountants. Mary also has successfully defended employers against discrimination claims in the EEOC/Michigan Department of Civil Rights and in litigation in state and federal court, including claims under Michigan’s Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, Michigan Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ADEA, the FMLA, the ADA, Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, and Michigan’s Reporting to Work with COVID-19 Act. Mary’s practice also includes defending constitutional claims and civil rights claims under the Fair Housing Act/Title II of the Civil Rights Act. Prior to entering private practice, Mary served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Kathleen Jansen with the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
- Michigan State University College of Law (J.D. summa cum laude)
- Wayne State University (B.A. summa cum laude)
Admissions
- State Bar of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
Professional Activities
- Oakland County Bar Association
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- Sustaining Member
- Inns of Court
- Membership Committee Member Vice-Chair
- Employment Law Committee Member
- Foundation Fellow
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- CEF’s DEI Committee
- Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
- Association of Defense Trial Counsel
- State Bar of Michigan
- Lawyers & Judges Assistance Committee (2020-2022)
- Young Lawyers Section, Insurance Section, Labor/Employment Section, Negligence Section
Community Involvement
- Lakeshore Legal Aid Pro Bono Clinics
- Michigan State University College of Law/University of Detroit Mercy Moot Court Judge
- Former member of the Kappa Delta Sorority Chapter Advisory Board
Accomplishments
- Best Lawyers of America® Ones to Watch
- Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants (2022)
- Employment Litigation – Defense (2022)
- Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly Up and Coming Lawyer Award (2020)
- Court of Appeals Distinguished Service Award
- Michigan State University College of Law King Scholar Program
- Michigan State University College of Law Jurisprudence Achievement Awards: Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure
Publications & Speaking Engagements
Finding Purpose: Resiliency through Spiritual Wellness, Michigan Bar Journal (October 2021)
Presenter, “CAUTION – Avoiding and Navigating Legal Malpractice Claims and Grievances”, Macomb County Bar Association (September 2021)
Presenter, “CAUTION – Avoiding and Navigating Legal Malpractice Claims and Grievances”, Oakland County Bar Association (March 2021)
Moderator, Common Employment Law Issues in a COVID-19 World, Oakland County Bar Association (April 2020)
“Scanning the Horizon: The Supreme Court’s Severability Clause Analysis Post-National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius”, Michigan State Law Review, 2013 Mich. St. L. Rev. 853
“The Future of Patient Decision Aids Post-Affordable Care Act Implementation: Whose Decision Is It Anyway?”, Michigan State University College of Law King Scholar Program, (Spring 2014)
News & Insights
In Michigan, an accountant may be liable to a client in tort and contract. But can an accountant be liable to a non-client in tort or contract? The answer is yes, but the circumstances are few and far between. Tort Liability To date, Michigan courts haven’t had occasion to weigh in on whether a…
Collins Einhorn Farrell is pleased to announce that attorneys Sam S. Mate, Jr., Christopher T. Lang, Brian A. Catrinar, Mary C. Aretha, and John S. McPhee have been elected partners in the firm. “All five new partners have earned their promotions through their dedication to the best interests of our clients, and the firm.” said…
Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that 28 lawyers have been included in the 2022 editions of The Best Lawyers in America, including four receiving “Lawyer of the Year” distinction. Eleven of the 28 lawyers have been included in the Ones to Watch edition, which recognizes attorneys who are early in their careers…
In our previous posts, we addressed two topics that affected employers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic: paid leave and return to school. Recently, as the downward trend in COVID-19 cases continues and the world tries to return to some semblance of normalcy, Michigan’s Governor announced that the State will permit in-person office work—even…
An insurance agent is essentially an “order taker.” Under well-established law in Michigan, an insurance agent owes no duty to advise an individual seeking insurance about the adequacy of coverage absent a special relationship, which arises only in limited circumstances (e.g., a special relationship may arise when an insurance agent misrepresents the nature or extent…
Collins Einhorn is pleased to announce that attorney Mary C. Aretha has been included in Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Up & Coming Lawyers class of 2020. Mary was one of thirty honorees selected via committee based on criteria which include having established a name for themselves, going above and beyond, and displaying the ambition, drive, determination, and accomplishments…
When Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) last spring, the major issue facing professional corporations was when to return to work and how to do so safely. As summer has turned to fall, the primary issue now facing many professional corporations is how to address employees who cannot work their normal schedules…
The past three months have created unprecedented challenges for professionals across all sectors of Michigan’s economy. As we begin to explore returning to the workplace, law firms, accounting firms, and other professional service corporations are confronting new issues, such as how to reintegrate our employees into our workplaces safely and in compliance with employment laws…
Lawyers aren’t immune from the mental-health implications of the COVID-19 crisis. As social distancing has continued, the isolating practice of remote work has become the new normal. So it’s critical that we, as lawyers, are mindful of our well-being and the well-being of our colleagues, family members, and friends. Below are several strategies and resources…
You just won a major legal battle on behalf of your client. You can’t wait to post about your victory on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. You start typing up a long narrative of your win on your social-media pages. But wait, you think, are there any ethical rules I should consider before posting? Ethical…
Attorneys routinely use settlement demands as a method to resolve cases without the time commitment and cost associated with protracted litigation. But at a certain point, the language of a settlement demand may cross the line from mere negotiation strategy into illegal extortion. This is particularly true when the settlement demand includes a threat of…
Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that attorney Mary C. Aretha has joined the firm’s Professional Liability practice group. Aretha has significant experience defending professional liability claims from the pre-suit phase through trial preparation. She also has experience defending employment discrimination and general negligence claims. In 2011, Aretha graduated with a B.A., Summa…