Robin Luce-Herrmann, Butzel Long Photo

Robin Luce-Herrmann focuses her practice in the areas of Media Law, particularly defamation, privacy, and access issues; Commercial Litigation, including RICO; and Civil Rights Law. For more than 30 years, clients in a variety of industries have benefitted from her extensive legal expertise and her deep involvement in numerous professional media and communications sector organizations, including serving on several committees as chair, co-chair, and board member.

Overview

Robin Luce-Herrmann is a Shareholder based in Butzel's Troy office, a former Practice Department Chair of Butzel's Litigation practice and the head of Butzel'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.

Ms. Herrmann serves as General Counsel to the Michigan Press Association, the official trade association for the newspapers of Michigan, with more than 300 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.

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, 2004-2018

Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law, Chapter 30: RICO, 1999-2004

Member, Michigan Bar Journal:

  • Chair: Law and the Media Committee 2013 to 2017
  • Publications and Website Advisory Committee, 2001-2009
  • Editor of the Michigan Bar Journal

Co-Author, Michigan Media Law - A News Room Guide

Co-Author, Media Law Resource Center Libel, Privacy and related surveys for Michigan and the 6th Circuit since 1993

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 ABA annual meeting, mid-winter meetings and seminars on Media Law and RICO

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 reputation management and the use of social media in branding for all types of businesses.
  • Advises on defamation, privacy, and access issues, including the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act.
  • Assists companies in developing processes and procedures to most effectively conduct e-business while protecting their assets.
  • Conducts pre-publication review of stories/broadcasts.
  • Responds to subpoenas seeking unpublished information.

Memberships

American Bar Association

  • ABA Forum on Communications Law – Governing Committee member since 2012
  • ABA First Amendment and Media Litigation Committee & Vice-Chair of Diversity Outreach Subcommittee
  • Women in Communications Law past Co-Chair
  • ABA Forum on Communications Law Co-Chair of Diversity Moot Court Competition 2016 to 2018
  • Woman Advocate Committee of the ABA Litigation Section
  • Past Co-Chair of Woman Advocate Roundtables Subcommittee
  • Past Employer Co-chair of the Regional Programs Committee of the Labor and Employment Section
  • Past Management Co-Chair of the Antitrust, RICO and Labor Law Committee

Media Law Resource Center

  • Member, Executive Committee of the Defense Counsel Section
  • State Legislative Committee: Past Co-Chair
  • Advertising & Commercial Speech Committee: Vice-Chair

Federal Bar Association - Michigan

Metropolitan Detroit Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan - Publication and Website Advisory Committee, Law and the Media Committee (McCree Award Chair); current Chair of this 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 2015

Butzel Long's Attorney Evaluation and Training Committee – Past Co-Chair

Butzel Long's Pro-Bono Committee - 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

Credentials

Education

University of Michigan 1984

Detroit College of Law 1993, J.D.

Admissions

  • Michigan

Memberships

  • Michigan Press Association - General Counsel
  • State Bar of Michigan - Chair of the Law and the Media Committee
  • American Bar Association - ABA Forum on Communications Law Women in Communications Law; Woman Advocate Committee of the Litigation Section; 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 - State Legislative Affairs Committee Co-Chair
  • Michigan Freedom of Information Committee - Board Member
  • 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 2012
  • Butzel Long's Attorney Evaluation and Training Committee - Co-Chair
  • Butzel Long's Pro-Bono Committee - past Co-Chair
  • Butzel Long's Recruiting Committee - former member

Awards & Recognitions

Awards & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America - First Amendment Law, 2024

DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Appellate Law, 2012 Copyright Law, 2018

Michigan Super Lawyers, Media and Advertising, Business Litigation, 2014-2023

Experience

  • Represented employer in defending § 1983 suit brought by unions and media bringing RICO counterclaim.  Successfully survived multiple motions to dismiss RICO counterclaim.
  • S & R Equipment Co., v. Stanley. Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete suit against former employee.
  • Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete and unfair competition suit against former employ.
  • Represented automotive supplier plaintiff in action for multiple breaches of contract in the U.S. District Court, E.D. Mich.
  • Represented defendants in multi-million dollar commercial cases over the course of 10 years.  Succeeded in obtaining dismissal of multi-million dollar judgment on appeal.
  • Sherwin Williams v. Biggers. Represented employer in successfully obtaining injunction enforcing covenant not to compete against former employee. 851 F. Supp. 839 (1994).
  • Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete, copyright infringement, and unfair competition suit against former employees
  • Biewer v. Coe. Represented defendant/counter-plaintiff in multi-million dollar commercial case.
  • Superior Consultant Co., Inc. v. DeSimone. Represented employer in successfully obtaining injunction and then negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete suit against former employee and new employer.
  • Superior Consultant Co., Inc. v. Walling. Represented employer in successfully obtaining injunction enforcing covenant not to compete against former employee. 851 F. Supp. 839 (1994).
  • Johnson Controls, Inc. v. Jay Industries. Represented Plaintiff in commercial litigation (jury trial, appeal and related arbitration). Obtained verdict in client’s favor in excess of $4M. 459 F.3d 717 (6th Cir. 2006).
  • CMACO Automotive Systems, Inc. v. Wanxiang America Corp. Represented defendant in commercial supply dispute. Summary judgment in client’s favor upheld on appeal. 589 F.3d 235 (6th Cir. 2009).
  • Red Group v. Gattari. Successfully defended former employee in two lawsuits initiated by former employer alleging violations of a covenant not to compete and related claims.
  • Unfair competition and trade secret litigation
  • Represented plaintiff in multi-million supply contract dispute
  • Detroit News v. City of Detroit, 480 Mich. 1079 (2008). Represented newspaper in lawsuit under Michigan Freedom of Information Act for release of text messages involving Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick and his Chief of Staff.
  • Whitesell Corp. v. Whirlpool Corp. Represented plaintiff in action for multiple breaches of a supply contract. After a 4 week jury trial, obtained a $25.7 million dollar jury verdict in client’s favor and no-cause on Defendant’s counterclaim.
  • Omega Productive Services v. Mack. Represented employer in successfully obtaining injunction and then negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete suit against former employees and new employer.
  • Represented defendant / counter-plaintiff in multi-million-dollar commercial case.
  • Sherwin Williams v. Nevada Color. Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete and unfair competition suit against former employees.
  • Obtained injunction enforcing covenant not to compete against former employee.
  • Epoch Tristar v. Bixby. Defended former employee in lawsuit initiated by former employer alleging violations of a covenant not to compete and related claims. Successfully pursued counterclaim and negotiated settlement.
  • Sherwin Williams v. Kuperschmidt. Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete and unfair competition suit against former employee.
  • Represented fastener supplier plaintiff in action for multiple breaches of a supply contract.

News & Events

News

Speaking Engagements

Alerts & Publications

Client Alerts

Publications

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