Ardiana Culaj joined Thurswell Law in 2009. She specializes in medical malpractice and birth injury litigation. Ms. Culaj is a second-generation attorney, following her parents, who served as a prosecutor and a judge in their native Kosovo. She earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in political science from Oakland University in 2003 and a law degree from Wayne State University in 2007. While in law school, she interned for Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court and served as a student attorney in the Wayne State Disability Law Clinic. In 2015, Ms. Culaj was recognized as one of the top 30 women lawyers in Michigan, following her victory in the Court of Appeals on a wrongful death case involving a non-viable fetus (< 24 weeks gestation). Her determination and zealous representation resulted, for the first time in Michigan history, in the legal recognition of a wrongful death action on behalf of a non-viable fetus. Her major success in Simpson v. Pickens, et al, 311 Mich. App. 127 (2015) has helped pave the way for parents who seek justice and accountability for the loss of their non-viable fetus resulting from negligence. As a result of her efforts, families can seek damages such as the loss of love, affection, society, and companionship for the death of their loved one. Fewer than 10 other states recognize such claims.

Cary M. Makrouer specializes in personal injury and victim’s rights cases, including slip and fall accidents, automobile negligence, dog bites, and police misconduct. He was the winner of the 10th-largest trial verdict in the State of Michigan in 2001 and the 13th-largest trial verdict in the State of Michigan in 2005. Mr. Makrouer is BV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which recognizes a combination of achieving a very high legal ability and ethical standards rating. In 2008, 2009, and 2010, he was recognized as a Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine. Mr. Makrouer has been with Thurswell Law since 1988. He graduated with honors from Michigan State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and earned a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. Mr. Makrouer was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1976.