Services
Industries
Education
University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 1994
Western Michigan University, B.S., 1990
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
As a former police officer, detective and undercover narcotics officer, Kurt McCamman is in a unique position to serve his clients in his second career as a litigator.
Having investigated every felony from burglary to sexual assaults to murder, Kurt learned through experience how to ask the tough questions and read people under the extreme conditions. Now, as an attorney, he is able to get to the root of issues quickly and use those skills to better serve clients. He is also adept at effectively communicating clients' positions to judges, juries and arbitrators.
Kurt's practice areas include labor and employment, commercial litigation, product liability and tort litigation, corporate discovery management, municipal and higher education law, and civil rights defense. In particular, he has been doing considerable work for police departments in both labor and employment matters as well as defending police officers and police departments when they are sued in civil court for civil rights violations as well as serving as a municipal attorney and general counsel for a university.
Representative Matters
Kurt represented a man who had been falsely accused of committing very serious acts by a disgruntled former student. In addition to the potential negative exposure from the lawsuit, the client faced the loss of his livelihood as well as the possible estrangement of his wife and family. Relying on his extensive skills as an investigator, Kurt and his team successfully defended the client against the spurious claims, clearly establishing the fact that the accusations were unfounded.
Defeated a preliminary injunction request by a state university employee and student newspaper editor claiming that they were retaliated against in violation of the First Amendment for running articles that were unflattering to the university administration.
In this First Amendment student press case, the plaintiff, a former journalistic advisor, was terminated by the paper's board of directors.
Honors
Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation 2011-present; Litigation-Labor and Employment and Litigation-Municipal 2012-present; 2013, 2017 & 2020 Kalamazoo Litigation-Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year
Kalamazoo County Bar Association, 2002 First Annual Donald P. Stone Award
The National Registry of Who's Who, Life Member
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan, District F Character and Fitness Committee
Kalamazoo County Bar Association, Board of Directors
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Kalamazoo Central High School, Attorney Coach, Mock Trial Team
Western Michigan University, Past Member, Attorney Coach, Mock Trial Teams
Community Healing Center (Kalamazoo), former member of Board of Directors
Greater Kalamazoo United Way, Volunteer
Drug Treatment Court Foundation, Education Conference Committee
Teaching
Ferris State University, Instructor, Criminal Justice Program
Michigan Regional Police Academy, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Attorney Instructor, 2004-present, Civil Law, Court Functions, and Public Order Crimes
Speeches
Kurt speaks frequently on a variety of topics, including: preventing and defending discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims; conducting internal investigations; and complying with the Freedom of Information Act, Open Meetings Act and Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. A representative sampling of speeches includes:
"Legalized Marijuana and Your Business," Michigan Manufacturers Association video, March 2019
"Complying with Michigan's FOIA and Social Media Law", Northern Michigan University, February 2014
"Michigan Medical Marihuana Act ("MMMA") In The Workplace", 2013 Miller Canfield HR Spring Training, April 2013
"Drug Treatment Court ("DTC")," Coming Together Conference, October 4, 2012
"Dealing with the "Difficult" Employee - Municipal Employee Discipline and Termination," Michigan Townships Association, January 25, 2011
"Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act," NALS of West Michigan, November 11, 2010
"The Legal Aspects and Resources of Public and Private Investigations," ASIS International, May 2007
"Biggest Employer Mistakes Made Both Before and After Litigation Commences," 22nd Annual Seminar on Employment Law, April 2007
"Hot Topics: Cutting Edge Labor Issues," Michigan Public Employer Labor Relations Association (MPELRA), September 2006
"Employee Criminal Conduct," MCPS 21st Annual Employment Law Seminar, April 2006
"Monitoring and Surveillance in the Workplace," MCPS 21st Annual Employment Law Seminar, April 2006
"Legal Liability of Parents and Students," Parents, Students, Faculty and members of the Mattawan community, May 2005
"ADA/FMLA/Worker's Compensation Case Study," MCPS 20th Annual Employment Law Seminar, April 2005
"Investigating Employee Misconduct," MCPS 19th Annual Employment Law Seminar, April 2004
"Liability of Coaches." Kalamazoo Public Schools administrators and coaching staff, October 1999
"The Risks and Regulations of Job Site Safety." Co-presentation with James E. Spurr to the Defense Research Institute Joint Insurance and Surety Seminar, Phoenix, Arizona, September 1999
"Liability of Law Enforcement Officers." Cass County Executive Council, March 1999