Michael R. Shaffer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1995 from Michigan State University. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1999 from Wayne State University Law School. Shaffer joined Buckfire Law in September 2022 with extensive experience in Michigan’s No-Fault Law and auto accident litigation. Prior to joining Buckfire Law, he worked for 17 years for a well-known plaintiff firm specializing in auto law. Shaffer’s primary focus will be on first-party automotive claims, third-party auto negligence, and motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. He also handles other personal injury claims including dog attacks, slip and falls, and wrongful death lawsuits.

Merrill Gordon is an honest, aggressive, tough attorney with more than 35 years of experience in fighting for clients in divorce and family court proceedings along with all manners of civil actions, including personal catastrophic injuries, wrongful death claims, auto accidents, drunk driving representation, insurance coverage disputes, dog bites , slip-and-fall cases, medical malpractice and civil litigation matters. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire How did you build a successful practice? By always being responsive to clients needs and effectively communicating with clients What should clients look for in a lawyer? Some one who is tough, aggressive and puts their needs first, it is also important to look for someone who can effectively coomunicate with them How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? It is very important to have someone who knows the court, judges and court system well so that effective representation can be provided What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I always provide information about the family law process and an evaluation of the facts of the clients particular case and my thoughts on a proposed plan of action What information do you need in a free phone consultation? Any information the client wishes to share although the more information that I have the more targeted my response can be What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I am a sole practionar who can give all of my clients individual attention. I work extensively with divorce, custody, support and other family law cases so that my personal service to my clients us unmatched What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Helping clients navigate a difficult period of their life and seeing that they maintain personal relationships with their children and remain healthy financially following the conclusion of their case What are your other interests in addition to law? Bicycle riding, cross country skiing, hiking, and all forms of outdoor activity Are you involved in your community? I am involved in both my Temple and other community activities

Racine Miller is the managing partner of The Michigan Law Firm, PC. Ms. Miller is an experienced litigator and trial attorney, who can proudly claim to have a near-perfect trial record. While maintaining a separate Michigan civil rights law firm, Ms. Miller works to ensure firm operations, administrative procedures, and firm organizational strategies are in place at The Michigan Law Firm, PC.

My name is Bob Rubin. I have represented individuals involved in automobile accidents for over 40 years. This is how my clients describe their experience with my office: “I have highly recommended Mr. Rubin to other people and will continue to do so. There is no other attorney I would call, and in fact, I still call him today for advice because Mr. Rubin will go out of his way to help.” “Mr. Rubin explained the no-fault law so well to me that I felt I could teach it to someone else.” “He was always prompt in returning calls, answered all my questions and kept me updated as to what was going on.” When you call my office, I am the attorney you will speak to; you will not be transferred to an associate. I will personally explain your rights to you under the Michigan No-Fault Law. There are a number of potential claims that you may pursue following an automobile accident. Under the Michigan No-Fault Law, your automobile insurance company or another insurance company may be responsible to pay a number of very important benefits. These include medical expenses, lost wages, mileage reimbursement, household help expenses, attendant care, and other allowable expenses as a result of your accident. To receive these benefits, it is necessary that the proper automobile insurance company be placed on notice of the claim in a timely fashion. Time limits under the No-Fault Law can be short, and it is a very good idea for you to obtain appropriate legal assistance so that all of your rights might be fully explained and protected as soon as possible. Certainly, insurance companies use their resources to quickly investigate accidents and take steps which may limit your right to receive certain benefits. This is why proper legal representation is so important. In addition to these no-fault benefits, you may seek compensation from the at fault driver or owner involved in the accident for pain, suffering, and other injury and damage suffered as a result of the accident. I would be pleased to meet with you at any mutually convenient time and place, without charge, to discuss your rights and potential claim(s). The meeting is free. The advice may prove priceless in safeguarding your rights. I handle automobile accident cases on a contingent fee basis. This means if there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee. If I do recover money on your behalf, my attorney fee is one-third (1/3) of the amount recovered.

Rebecca Filiatraut graduated in 1991 from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. In 1994 she received her Juris Doctor from the Detroit College of Law. While attending law school she worked at the Public Defenders Office, representing individuals charged with misdemeanors at the 36th District Court in Detroit. After her graduation, she spent several years working for a large and nationally recognized personal injury law firm. It was here that she began her career of handling federal civil rights cases which has spanned over the course of her more than twenty years in practice. Rebecca focused on §1983 civil rights actions involving police and jail misconduct, as well as other complex matters such as trucking and medical malpractice cases. Seeking to further broaden her experience, she also practiced on the defense side for a number of years, successfully defending a multitude of cases, primarily on behalf of a number of different municipalities and police departments, as well as other businesses and insurance carriers across the State of Michigan. After gaining experience on the defense side, Rebecca returned to the work she loved, representing individuals against large corporations and insurance companies in order to help these people obtain rightful compensation for their injuries. Rebecca has extensive trial experience in both state and federal courts on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, having been involved in some very high-profile and notable jury trials during the course of her career. She is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan, as well as the United States District Courts of both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Rebecca is an active supporter of the legal community and a member of several associations, including the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section and the Michigan Association for Justice.

David Adgate earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2013 from the University of Michigan. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2017 from Wayne State University Law School. He then completed a Post-Baccalaureate Medprep Program at the University of Michigan in 2019 where he served as the president of the Medprep Engage Student Organization. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. David joined the firm in January 2024 and focuses primarily on first-party automobile claims, third-party auto negligence, and motorcycle and bicycle accidents. He also handles other personal injury claims, including slip and falls, dog bites, and wrongful death lawsuits. Before joining Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., David served as an associate at a personal injury law firm in metro Detroit. He also previously worked as a fellow for the Federal Defender Office in Detroit.

I have spent my legal career defending the little guy against big corporations. Everyday we help regular people fight the mortgage companies, insurance companies and the big auto companies. Without proper representation, citizens do not stand a chance against these large corporations. While taking on these cases is surely challenging the reward of helping those truly in need is unmatched.

Co-Counsel on the largest police misconduct verdict in Michigan history and the largest verdict in Michigan this year! On November 3, 2016, a jury in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan returned a $36,600,000 against Genesee County Deputies for using excessive force against a man arrested for drunken driving. Click the link below for details. This is one of many seven figure verdicts and settlements that I have obtained for my clients in civil rights and personal injury cases. http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/11/06/jury-awards-36m-verdict-genesee-county-police-brutality-case/93287248/ In addition to civil rights cases, I also specialize in working with small businesses. Prior to becoming an attorney I owned and operated a nightclub in Hamtramck. This experience has led to a lifelong interest in the formation and operation of small businesses. My services are unique because I understand how small business owners need personal and affordable attention from their attorneys. Our legal services include civil rights litigation, business services, commercial litigation, auto accidents, personal injury, criminal law and medical marijuana consulting. Call me at 248-251-0001 to discuss your case today.

Mr. Balberman graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Economics in 1978 and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1983 after attending the University of Detroit School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, in both state and federal courts