Morley Witus | Attorney

Morley joined BSD&D in 1981 and became a member in 1988. Morley concentrates his practice in commercial litigation. He has had extensive experience in a wide variety of complex business disputes, including contract, real estate, probate, securities, municipal, insurance, legal malpractice, intellectual property, and employment cases. He has handled numerous trials, arbitrations, and appeals. He has also provided counseling and advice to business and government on a variety of issues. In addition, he has authored many legal articles and lectured on legal topics.

Representative Cases/Transactions

Obtained a million dollar federal court judgment on an insurance claim, where the insurance company had offered just $6,000.

Won several cases involving commercial fees charged by Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Won class action lawsuits concerning automobile insurance.

Successfully tried cases involving trade secrets, non-compete agreements, and copyright infringement.

Tried and won a federal court case concerning copyright ownership of music recordings.

Called in after trial to salvage a variety of lawsuits that resulted in disastrous verdicts, and successfully overturned the verdicts on appeal.

Prevailed in numerous suits defending the City of Detroit against claims by unsuccessful bidders on public contracts.

Successfully litigated automobile supplier disputes.

Won several employment lawsuits.

Co-chaired litigation of billion-dollar trust dispute and won multiple appeals.

Education

B.A., University of Michigan, magna cum laude
J.D., University of Michigan Law School, magna cum laude
M.A., philosophy, York University

Honors and Awards

Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers, 2008 & 2009 - Business Litigation
Phi Beta Kappa 1975
Order of the Coif 1979
Certificate of Appreciation, State Bar of Michigan 1999

Professional Leadership Positions

President-elect for the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association.

Director of Training (Eastern Michigan) for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education.

Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.

Chair of the State Bar Civil Procedure Committee from 1997-1999.

Civic Leadership Positions

President of the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County from 1998-2000.

Bar Memberships

American Bar Association

Federal Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Eastern District of Michigan

Western District of Michigan

Representative Publications

"Defense of Wrongful Discharge Suits Based on Employee's Misrepresentations" 69 Michigan State Bar Journal 50 (1990)

"What is the Answer? New Guidelines on How to Draft an Answer and Affirmative Defenses" 73 Michigan State Bar Journal 1076 (1994)

"Do You Really Have to Cross Appeal?" Vol. 4, No. 4 Appellate Practice Section Newsletter (State Bar of Michigan)( August 1999)

"The Top Five Things Every Lawyer Should Know About Negotiating" Detroit Lawyer (November/December 2005)

"The Top Five Things Every Lawyer Should Know About Legal Writing" Detroit Lawyer (January/February 2006)

"The Top Five Things Every Associate Should Know About How to Succeed as a New Lawyer" Detroit Lawyer (March/April 2006)

"What is the Statute of Limitations for Fraud?" 20 Michigan Lawyers Weekly 226 (October 16, 2006)

"The Top Five Things Every Lawyer Should Know About How to Be an Effective Dealmaker" Detroit Lawyer (November/December 2006)

"The Top Five Things Every Lawyer Should Know about How to Argue and Win Motions" Detroit Lawyer (July/August 2007)

"The Curious Case of Michigan's Statute of Limitations for Fraud" Detroit Lawyer (January/February 2010)