CMDA - James R. Acho - Senior Attorney, Livonia Office

Below are samples of the various types of cases Jim has handled:

Fazio, et al v Major League Baseball (Los Angeles District Court; 9th Circuit United States Court of Appeals); this case involved 1,500 retired MLB players who sued MLB for pensions denied. Jim handled the case with a firm in Los Angeles, and the case was featured on ESPN, HBO, CNN and every major newspaper in America. Jim was also featured in the New York Times and on ESPN and Sporting News Radio regarding this case. The case was adjudicated in California, and settlement discussions remain ongoing.

UPDATE! MLB announced it will pay the class Jim Acho represented $10,000 for two years as recognition for the contribution to the game!
Click on the link from The Sporting News below for additional information:
http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-04-21/mlb-mlbpa-announce-expansion-of-pensions-for-retired-players

Obtained $1.2 million award in a high profile sexual harassment case. Young v. Bobby Ferguson, Wayne County Circuit Court, Judge John A. Murphy.
Click on the link from the Detroit Free Press below for additional information:
http://www.freep.com/article/20120106/NEWS01/120106017

Gibbons v First Federal (6th Circuit, Wayne County Circuit Court, Detroit, MI). This was a pregnancy discrimination case. Jim obtained a six figure settlement for his client.

Kelly, et al v Comerica (6th Circuit, Wayne County Circuit Court, Detroit, MI). This was an age discrimination case. Jim obtained a mid-to-high six figure settlement for his two clients.

Oakland County CMH v New Concepts (3rd Circuit, Oakland County Circuit Court). Jim represented Oakland County’s Mental Health Authority in a fraud case and obtained a mid-to-high six-figure settlement for Oakland County.

Hojeije v Canton Township Police Department (Wayne County Circuit Court). Jim represented Canton Township's Police Department in a discrimination suit. After lengthy discovery, including nearly 20 depositions, Jim obtained a dismissal in favor of Canton Township P.D.

People v Foote (Washtenaw County Circuit Court). Jim represented Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Larry Foote against criminal charges – Jim had all charges dropped after discovery. Jim continues to serve as legal counsel (Jim is not an agent, but serves as legal counsel) for Foote and fellow Steeler LaMarr Woodley, as well as 5 other current NFL players.

NFL Alumni, General. Jim has handled numerous matters for various NFL alums throughout the country, and was offered the position of General Legal Counsel for the NFL Alumni Assoc. Among Jim's more notable clients is NFL Hall of Famer, actor and broadcaster, Lem Barney, whom Jim has represented for nearly a decade. Jim appeared on ESPN radio in the summer of 2008 to discuss the death of NFLPA president Gene Upshaw; in 2009, Jim appeared on ESPN radio and Sporting News Radio regarding the hire of new NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith. In 2010, Jim appeared on multiple sports radio shows and in multiple periodicals regarding a pension suit he filed against the NFLPA and the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Pension Plan Administrators. The case, Rosema v NFLPA et al, was featured as the "spotlight case of the week" in the July 28 issue of Michigan Lawyer's Weekly.

Rivera v John Doe (State Farm). Jim represented an aspiring actress and model who suffered a devastating facial injury in a car accident. Despite defense counsel's Kreiner motion, Jim prevailed and the case ultimately settled for six-figures

Redford Township Prosecuting Attorney 2000-2005.