Michelle R.E. Donovan

Along with national experience, Michelle has an extensive background with Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing and Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act and has successfully assisted clients with the process of applying for pre-qualification and license qualification status. Michelle obtained the first licensed provisioning center in Oakland County, Michigan. She filed the litigation successfully challenging the State of Michigan’s cannabis supply regulations and case of first impression on behalf of a medical marijuana patient for access. She is frequently in the media for her knowledge and was recently featured on Michigan’s Cannabis Industry Association cover for “Women Power and Industry” and feature article.

Additional Areas of Focus

Real Estate

Michelle represents clients both locally and nationally in all areas of real estate, including mortgage and deed fraud, construction liens, eminent domain, property tax appeals, title insurance, and municipal issues.

Probate

Michelle has extensive experience in all facets of probate law, including trust, probate and estate administration, guardianship and conservatorships. Michelle is a Macomb County Public Administrator, an appointed position with powers and duties primarily related to intestate decedent estates where there are apparently no known heirs. In this position, she also serves as guardian and/or conservator for minors and mentally disabled persons, as well as personal representative of deceased estates where there is no family or when an impartial fiduciary is needed. She was appointed by the Michigan Attorney General in 2017.

Litigation and Trial Experience

Michelle has extensive experience as a trial attorney, where she achieved many successful results in cannabis, real estate, and corporate matters. Highlights of her experience include:

• The Curing Corner, LLC v Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Lansing, MI 2019), obtained after four (4) days of filing its complaint, an Emergency Rule was issued to allow patients to temporarily purchase medical marijuana from licensed caregivers for purchase from licensed provisioning centers.
• Hoover v Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Detroit, MI 2019), case of first impression for constitutionality of State of Michigan’s licensing for medical marijuana access to patients.
• COEUS, LLC v Grennhouse of Walled Lake, et al (Oakland County, MI 2019), obtained dismissal of all claims against Greenhouse of Walled Lake for marijuana-related complaints.
• Performance Real Estate Holdings, LLC v Peak Athletic Club, LLC, et. al. (Rochester, MI 2017) Awarded jury verdict in landlord-tenant and sanctions for fees and costs in excess of $50,000.
• Blue Chip Talent dba Computer Consultants of America v Debbie Broich, et al (Oakland County, MI 2017) Successfully recovered funds in embezzlement by a prior employee.
• Carey Becker, et al v Ritz Craft, et al (Tuscola County 2017) awarded a no cause in a construction defect case.
• Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company v Metro Equity Services (Oakland County, MI 2016) Judgement obtained in the amount in excess of $1,00,000 including case evaluation sanctions against Defendant, as successor liability theory as a mere continuation of the prior entity.

Distinctions

Michelle is a frequent speaker and author on legal topics related to the cannabis industry and is frequently interviewed by the local and national media concerning this topic. Michelle also serves as an Adjunct Professor Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, a role which she has held since 2009.

Michelle also advocates for and educates others on the condition of vocal chord paralysis, a condition which she manages personally. Through her group on social media, Vocal Chord Paralysis Support Group, she brings others together in the community to discuss challenges with voice projection and breathing techniques.