Service Areas
- Litigation + Trial
- Product Liability + Torts
- Litigation + Trial Practice Overview
- Class + Collective Actions
- Family Law
- Probate + Trust Administration
- Individuals + Families
- Family Law
- Probate + Trust Administration
Education
- University of California School of Law at Davis, J.D.
- Calvin College, A.B.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. Courts of Appeals
- 5th Circuit
- 6th Circuit
U.S. District Courts
- Western District of Michigan
- Northern District of Ohio
- Southern District of Ohio
- Southern District of Texas
Robert L. DeJong’s specialty is commercial litigation and civil litigation.This includes contract disputes, non-compete agreements, trade secret disputes, employment issues, real estate lease and easement disputes, construction law, family firm disputes, products liability law, condemnation law and negligence law. He has over 30 years' experience as lead counsel for numerous judge and jury trials in state and federal courts. Bob has also worked extensively with jury consultants, including “Dr. Phil” before his television fame.
“As litigators, we must understand how a business operates, how a product is manufactured, how a building evolves from concept to finished product, and how ideas evolve from concept to finished product.”
Robert L. DeJong
Bob takes a collaborative approach in partnering with his clients. He believes in working toward a mutually acceptable and early resolution whenever possible, but is not afraid of “going to the mat” if circumstances so dictate. Bob also believes in offering his clients 24/7 availability.
Experience
Bob successfully prosecuted a multimillion-dollar international arbitration claim against a Northern European machine manufacturer under the International Commerce Commission, obtained a "no cause" in a Michigan handicappers' jury trial, successfully prosecuted and defended sexual harassment and discrimination claims, obtained favorable verdicts for municipalities in major condemnation cases, and prosecuted and defended wrongful death claims involving product liability, premises liability and general negligence. In a recent policy coverage dispute, he guided a client to recover $750,000 when an attorney from another firm advised the client not to bother with submitting a claim.
Bob led the litigation team for the owners of the East Bank Building (now known as Plaza Towers) in Grand Rapids, Mich., when it closed down for two years for complete reconstruction. Literally millions of documents were exchanged among the parties in what was described by then-Chief Judge Kolenda as the largest lawsuit in the history of Kent County Circuit Court. Mediation took a full week with settlement among 29 of 32 defendants. In the process, the client recovered a sum well into eight figures.
“It was seven years from start to finish—and in the end, our client was extremely pleased with the outcome.”
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan, Negligence Law Section
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
- Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, Inc.
- American Trial Lawyers' Association
- Michigan Trial Lawyers' Association
Honors + Awards
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation 2007-present; Litigation-Construction; Litigation-Real Estate, Litigation-Trusts & Estates, Personal Injury Litigation 2012; 2012 Grand Rapids Real Estate Litigation Lawyer of the Year
- Michigan Super Lawyers, General Litigation 2007-present
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Cascade Township Planning Commission, Served for 14 years
- University Club, Former Board of Trustees and Chairman of Membership Committee
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Board of Directors
- LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Past President of the Council and Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Cascade Township Zoning Board of Appeals
- Faith, Inc., Board of Directors
- Peninsular Club
- Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, Holland, Michigan, Judge Advocate
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