Summary of Experience
Joe Seward concentrates his practice on civil litigation defense, municipal law and insurance law. In 2011 he was a recipient of Michigan Lawyers Weekly's Leaders in the Law Award.

In the past 27 years Mr. Seward has tried approximately 100 cases with an exceptional winning percentage. Since 2000, he has tried to completion jury trials against 33 plaintiffs. Of those plaintiffs, ultimately only four obtained a judgment giving them any money (one of those verdicts is currently up on appeal). 88% of the time the plaintiffs walked away from trial either getting no money or owing money to Mr. Seward’s clients, a very impressive winning percentage.

Mr. Seward has developed expertise in areas of interest to police officers. He incorporates the use of forensics, ballistics and incident scene investigative techniques as well as video, audio and computer-enhanced evidence presentations that are courtroom qualified. He blends dedication to his clients and superior knowledge of the law with hard work and creativity to provide top-notch representation and undeniable results.

An example of Mr. Seward using video technology to assist in trial occurred in a case where both the trial court and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals suggested that a municipality and its officers could not win a case involving three plaintiffs who claimed they were falsely arrested due to their race. Undeterred, Mr. Seward proceeded to trial. During the trial, one of the plaintiffs began to sob on the stand, initially evoking sympathy from the jury. Prepared for the situation and armed with courtroom technology, Mr. Seward presented the jury with a video and audio clip of the plaintiff giving the same testimony at his deposition without the theatrics. Post-trial comments by jurors proved just how effective the strategy was, because jurors explained that the stark contrast between the plaintiff’s trial and deposition testimony persuaded them that he was being untruthful. Mr. Seward secured a “no cause” verdict in that case.

Mr. Seward embraced courtroom technology to overcome potentially damaging evidence in another case alleging excessive force. A 65-year-old plaintiff offered an in-car video showing CMDA’s clients repeatedly striking him during an arrest. Rather than shy away from the video, Mr. Seward used it to his advantage, breaking the video down piece-by-piece to show jurors the multiple signs of resistance exhibited by the plaintiff throughout the arrest. Because Mr. Seward effectively conveyed the perception of the police officers at the time of the incident, the jury returned a verdict in the officers’ favor.

In addition to his municipal defense practice, Mr. Seward has extensive experience representing sports entertainment venues on premises liability claims. His experience led him to be selected as a Case Evaluator for both Wayne and Oakland counties. He has also served as a Discovery Master in Circuit Court.

Mr. Seward obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State University and a Juris Doctor Degree from the Detroit College of Law.