Robin Luce Herrmann is a Shareholder based in Butzel Long's Bloomfield Hills office and is a Practice Group Leader of Butzel Long's Litigation practice and the head of Butzel Long’s Media group. She is a 1984 graduate of the University of Michigan and a 1993 graduate of the Detroit College of Law (J.D., cum laude), where she was a Managing Editor of The Law Review.
Representing a broad array of clients, both as plaintiffs and defendants, Ms. Herrmann concentrates her practice in the areas of media law, particularly defamation, privacy, and access issues; commercial litigation, including RICO; non-competes and trade secrets; and civil rights.
Ms. Herrmann serves as General Counsel to the Michigan Press Association, the official trade association for the newspapers of Michigan, with more than 350 members throughout the State.
Ms. Herrmann has extensive trial and appellate experience in both state and federal courts in a variety of areas.
Robin Luce Herrmann is a Shareholder based in Butzel Long's Bloomfield Hills office and is a Practice Group Leader of Butzel Long's Litigation practice and the head of Butzel Long’s Media group. She is a 1984 graduate of the University of Michigan and a 1993 graduate of the Detroit College of Law (J.D., cum laude), where she was a Managing Editor of The Law Review.
Representing a broad array of clients, both as plaintiffs and defendants, Ms. Herrmann concentrates her practice in the areas of media law, particularly defamation, privacy, and access issues; commercial litigation, including RICO; non-competes and trade secrets; and civil rights.
Ms. Herrmann serves as General Counsel to the Michigan Press Association, the official trade association for the newspapers of Michigan, with more than 350 members throughout the State.
Ms. Herrmann has extensive trial and appellate experience in both state and federal courts in a variety of areas.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE OF PARTICULAR NOTE
Complex Commercial Litigation
Representing a variety of entities in a range of industries on commercial matters involving an array of legal issues including: contract; business torts, including fraud; non-competition and trade secrets; labor and employment; civil rights; defamation and privacy; and RICO. Includes extensive experience with TROs and preliminary injunctions.
Responsible for leading internal and external (client) teams involved in multi-million dollar litigation to conduct discovery, develop strategy, and prepare for trial.
Labor & Employment
Represented entity with respect to a myriad of litigation relating to a strike, including: filing charges before the National Labor Relations Board and arguing issues before the ALJ; obtaining an injunction in Circuit Court; defending § 1983 suits; and prosecuting a civil RICO claim relating to the strike.
Representing parties in state and federal courts in matters involving covenants not to compete, trade secrets, and other employment-related claims.
Media/First Amendment Law
Advising and litigating defamation, privacy, and access issues, including the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act. Conducting pre-publication review of stories/broadcasts. Responding to subpoenas seeking information from the press and newsgatherers. Successfully obtained summary judgment and/or voluntary dismissal of defamation and publication-related claims against dozens of newspaper and broadcast clients throughout the State of Michigan. Advising a broad array of clients, including digital media, emerging technology groups and digital businesses needing advice on First Amendment issues, data protection and cybercrimes.
Teaching and Publications
Professor, Law of the Press, Oakland University, Journalism Department
Guest Speaker on Law of the Press: Wayne State University, Central Michigan University, and Oakland University
Co-Editor, The Developing Labor Law, Chapter 30: RICO, 2004-2012
Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law, Chapter 30: RICO, 1999-2004
Member, Michigan Bar Journal:
- Publications and Website Advisory Committee, 2001-2009
- Editor of the following Michigan Bar Journal issues:
- Legal Assistant: March 2001
- Environmental: Nov. 2005
- Malpractice, Feb. 2009
Co-Author, Michigan Media Law – A News Room Guide
Co-Author, Overview of Defamation Law, published by the Law and Media Committee of the ABA
Contributing author to the informant, a newsletter published by the Michigan Freedom of Information Committee
Contributing author to Supplements, Rights and Liabilities of Publishers, Broadcasters and Reporters (Shepard’s/McGraw Hill)
Contributing writer to Michigan Bar Journal Sixth Circuit Opinion Notes
Presented at ICLE seminars on the topic of covenants not to compete and related issues, including at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education on The Plaintiff’s Perspective on Litigation and Enforcing Non-Competition and Confidentiality Agreements
Presented at ABA annual meeting, mid-winter meetings and seminars on RICO and Labor Law
Services
In addition to litigating a wide variety of commercial and media-related issues, Ms. Herrmann regularly:
- Advises and counsels clients on the availability of injunctive relief and potential alternative dispute resolution procedures.
- Advises on defamation, privacy, and access issues, including the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act.
- Conducts pre-publication review of stories/broadcasts.
- Responds to subpoenas seeking unpublished information.
Memberships
American Bar Association
- ABA Communications Law Forum
- ABA First Amendment and Media Litigation Committee & Chair of Diversity Outreach Subcommittee
- Woman Advocate Committee of the ABA Litigation Section
- Past Employer Co-chair of the Regional Programs Committee of the Labor and Employment Section
- Past member and Vice-Chair of the ABA Law and Media Committee
- Past Management Co-Chair of the Antitrust, RICO and Labor Law Committee
Federal Bar Association - Michigan
Metropolitan Detroit Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan - Publication and Website Advisory Committee
Media Law Resource Center
- Legislative Affairs Committee
- State Legislative Committee
Michigan Freedom of Information Committee - Board Member
Michigan Community Resources (formerly Community Legal Resources)
- Chair, Board of Directors – 2009 to 2012
- Vice-Chair Board of Directors – 2006 to 2009
- Chair, Finance Committee – 2003 to 2006
- Board Member – 2003 to present
Butzel Long’s Attorney Evaluation and Training Committee - Co-Chair
Butzel Long’s Pro-Bono Committee – immediate past Co-Chair
Butzel Long’s Women’s Initiative Committee – past Co-Chair
Butzel Long’s Recruiting Committee - former member
Education
Bachelor of Arts, University of Michigan (1984)
Juris Doctor, Detroit College of Law (1993)
- Notes and Comments Editor (1992) Detroit College of Law Review
- Managing Editor, Comments (1992-93) Detroit College of Law Review