Matthew F. Leitman

Principal

leitman@millercanfield.com

Troy
T: +1.248.267.3294
O: +1.248.879.2000
F: +1.248.879.2001

Matthew F. Leitman's principal practice areas are complex commercial litigation, criminal defense, and appellate litigation. His experience includes trial practice before state and federal trial courts as well as numerous appeals before state and federal appellate courts. He has been involved in several high-profile trials and has argued several significant appeals that have led to important, precedent-setting rulings. He has authored several influential law review articles on matters of federal law and Michigan law.

Reported + Published Decisions

Jackson v Sedgwick Claims Management Services, et al, 2010 WL 931864 (E.D. Mich. 2010) (won dismissal of RICO claim based upon denial of workers' compensation benefits)

Hamilton v Nochimson, 2010 WL 743111 (E.D. Mich. 2010) (won dismissal of conversion and breach of fiduciary duty claims)

Heller v Ross, 682 F.Supp.2d 797 (E.D. Mich. 2010) (litigated federal constitutional challenge to Michigan statute governing insurance licensing regulations)

Huber v Crop Production Services, 2008 WL 4852978 (E.D. Mich. 2008) (defeated motion for class certification in consumer fraud action)

Desai v Booker, 538 F.3d 424 (6th Cir. 2008) (litigated issue of first impression in Sixth Circuit concerning retroactivity rules in habeas corpus context)

Moyer v Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Civil Action No. 05-72242 (E.D. Mich. 2007) (won dismissal of claims under the federal False Claims Act)

United States v Ford Motor Company, 422 F.Supp.2d 429 (E.D. Mich. 2006) (won summary judgment against the federal government in action seeking more than $13 million for alleged violation of Customs laws)

Glancy v Taubman Centers, Inc., 373 F3d 656 (6th Cir. 2004) (argued complex issues concerning party joinder requirements in action seeking to void a class of stock)

Oxendine v Secretary of State, 237 Mich. App. 346, 602 N.W.2d. 847 (1999) (prevailed in appeal concerning proper construction of statute governing use of out-of-state convictions as a basis for revoking driving privileges)

Kondzer v Wayne County Sheriff, 219 Mich. App. 632, 558 N.W.2d 215 (1996) (convinced Michigan Court of Appeals to limit circumstances allowing forfeiture of a surety bond)

People of the State of Michigan v Jamieson Bender, 452 Mich. 594, 551 N.W.2d 71 (1996) (persuaded Michigan Supreme Court to adopt under Michigan law a rule of criminal procedure that the United States Supreme Court had rejected as a matter of federal law)

Professional Activities

American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Oakland County Bar Association
Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Appointed by the Court to Committee Advising on Appointment of New Magistrate Judge, March 2010
Local Rules Advisory Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Appointed by the Court to a three year term, 2007-2010
Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Appointed by the Court to Committee Advising Whether to Re-Appoint Magistrate Judge, 2009
Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, Co-Chair, Criminal Law Committee
Harvard Law School Association of Michigan, President, 2008-present
Harvard Law School Association Council, Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Honors + Awards

Harvard Law School, J.D., magna cum laude
University of Michigan, B.A., with highest distinction, Phi Beta Kappa
Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense (White-Collar and Non-White-Collar) 2007-present; Appellate Practice 2012
Michigan Super Lawyers, General Litigation 2007-present
United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Pro Bono Honoree 2008-present
DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Non-White-Collar and White-Collar Criminal Defense 2011

Civic, Cultural + Social Activities

Birmingham Seaholm High School Baseball Boosters, Board of Directors
Thornwood Homeowners Association, Past President

Publications

"Health Law Fraud Enforcement," (Co-Author), The Federal Lawyer, June 2010

"A Cautionary Tale for Physicians Who Prescribe Controlled Substances," Southwest Michigan Medical Journal, Spring 2006

"How to Handle the Media in a High-Profile Case," Ann Arbor Business Monthly, May 2005

"How the Federal Courts Have Distorted the Double Damages Provision of Michigan's Sales Representative Act," D.C.L. at M.S.U. L.Rev. 287, 2000

"A Clarification of Michigan Law Concerning the Suppression of Evidence Seized in Violation of a State Statute: Exposing the Court of Appeals' Blatant Disregard for Controlling Supreme Court Precedent," D.C.L. at M.S.U. L.Rev. 225, 1998

"A Proposed Standard of Equal Protection Review for Classifications Within the Criminal Justice System That Have a Racially Disparate Impact: A Case Study of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines' Classification Between Crack and Powder Cocaine," 25 University of Toledo Law Review 215, 1994

Speeches

"Defending Against Claims Under the Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act," Fall Institute of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, October 1997

“Prosecution of White Collar Crime,” Anti-Fraud Issues Conference, The Michigan Association of MACPA Certified Public Accountants, May 2009

Seminars + Events

News

Miller Canfield Lawyer Matthew Leitman Elected to Harvard Law School Association Council

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