Service Areas

Education

Wayne State University Law School, J.D.
Albion College, B.A.

Bar Admissions

Michigan

A. Michael Palizzi

Principal

palizzi@millercanfield.com

Detroit
T: +1.313.496.7645
O: +1.313.963.6420
F: +1.313.496.8454

A. Michael Palizzi is a commercial trial lawyer and business counselor. He specializes in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property counseling and litigation, and commercial contract disputes. Representative cases include patent and trademark infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition, non-compete, trade secret and securities disputes. Michael also regularly represents OEM and "Tier" automotive suppliers, with considerable experience negotiating supplier contracts and litigating issues arising out of such contracts.

In addition to litigation, he also serves as chief outside counsel for a number of local and international companies, assisting them in a wide variety of legal and business matters.

“I strive to provide exceptional legal counsel combined with good business judgment. I am responsive, and I vigorously pursue my clients' interests.”
A. Michael Palizzi

Michael has tried cases before several Federal District Courts, Michigan Circuit Courts and the Michigan Court of Appeals. He has litigated matters before the New York Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers, the American Arbitration Association, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He also regularly counsels clients on various intellectual property matters, including trademark procurement and protection, licensing, brand management, trade secret protection, and the implementation of anti-counterfeiting measures.

Experience

Michael has successfully tried numerous commercial contract disputes, and recently tried a dispute arising out of an asset purchase agreement before the American Arbitration Association. He obtained a significant judgment in the full amount requested, plus an award of costs and attorney fees.

“To obtain this type of relief for my clients, especially in the face of vigorous opposition, is one of the most rewarding things a lawyer can do.”

Representative Matters

Media and Marketing Services Company Antitrust Action
Miller Canfield assisted Valassis Communications, Inc. in its legal battle with News America, Inc., a part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. As part of a comprehensive settlement--reached three days before the parties were scheduled to begin a jury trial in Federal Court in Detroit--News America agreed to pay Valassis $500 million and enter into a 10-year shared mail distribution agreement with Valassis. The $500 million settlement includes $300 million awarded after an eight-week jury trial in July 2009, the eighth-largest jury verdict in the United States in 2009. Valassis Communications, Inc. v News America Inc., Case No. 07-706645 (Wayne County Circuit Court 2007); Valassis Communications, Inc. v News America Inc., Case No. 2:06-cv-10240 (Eastern District of Michigan 2006); Valassis Communications, Inc. v News America Inc., Case No. BC367743, (Los Angeles County Superior Court, California 2007).
Commercial Jetliner Manufacturer Trademark Case
Helped a major manufacturer of commercial jetliners enforce its trademark rights in a case against a company that was using the mark in its name.
Global Manufacturer Trademark and Counterfeiting Investigation
Helped the owner of one of the best-known and valuable trademarks in world investigate and bring federal criminal charges against a counterfeiting ring and handled related civil litigation to bring the counterfeiting to an end.

Reported + Published Decisions

American Seating Co. v USSC Group, Inc., Slip Copy, 2006 WL 2472196, (W.D.Mich., August 24, 2006) (No. 01-00578)

PHD Michigan, L.L.C. v Outfitters Ass'n of America, Slip Copy, 2006 WL 2042515, RICO Bus.Disp.Guide 11,120, (E.D.Mich., July 20, 2006) (No. 04-73964)

American Seating Co. v USSC Group, Inc., 2006 WL 839093, (W.D.Mich., March 27, 2006) (No. 01-00578)

Royal Ins. Co. of America v Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd., 408 F.Supp.2d 415, 2005 A.M.C. 2820, (E.D.Mich., September 29, 2005) (No. 03-72574)

Jewish War Veterans' Memorial Home Ass'n v Jewish War Veterans of U.S., 376 F.Supp.2d 743, (E.D.Mich., June 30, 2005) (No. Civ. 03-40136)

Jewish War Veterans' Memorial Home Ass'n v Jewish War Veterans of U.S., 311 F.Supp.2d 600 (E.D.Mich. Mar 30, 2004) (NO. CIV. 03-40136)

Melea Limited v Quality Models Ltd., 345 F.Supp.2d 743 (E.D.Mich. Nov 12, 2004) (NO. CIV. 03-71338)

Melea Ltd. v Quality Models Ltd., 274 F.Supp.2d 909 (E.D.Mich. Jul 30, 2002) (No. CIV.A. 03-71338)

Gateway 2000, Inc. v Livak, 19 F.Supp.2d 748 (E.D.Mich. Aug 28, 1998) (No. CIV. A 98-72034)

Gateway 2000, Inc v Kelley, 9 F.Supp.2d 790 (E.D.Mich. Jul 06, 1998) (No. CIV. A. 98-71746)

Professional Activities

Federal Bar Association, Complex Litigation Committee Co-Chair
American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Litigation Committee
State Bar of Michigan
Federal Bar Association
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association

Honors + Awards

Best Lawyers in America, Litigation-Intellectual Property Law 2010-present
Benchmark Litigation, Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, 2010
Michigan Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2009-present

Publications

"Government Acts to Curb Knockoffs and Counterfeits," Hot Points, Fall 2005

"The Current (and Confusing) State of the Doctrine of Initial Interest Confusion," American Bar Association Intellectual Property Litigation Journal, Spring, 2004

Niesig v Team I, Interpreting ex parte Communication with Corporate Employees," 38 Wayne Law Review 327, Fall, 1991

Speeches

"Tech Talk," Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber, Investepreneur Forum, Birmingham, Michigan, November 16, 2010

Guest speaker on "Due Process," an award-winning television program aired throughout Southeastern Michigan on NBC affiliate, WDIV. Segment topic: "Securities Fraud" January 2004; March 2008

"Optimize Your Litigation Position (Risk Assessment, Third-party Relations, and ADR)" sponsored by Miller Canfield, Troy, Michigan, 4/14/98