Farmington Hills, Michigan
| Partner | |
| phone | 248-626-5000 |
| fax | 248-626-2843 |
| Email Me | |
Chapa is an aggressive, experienced litigator. Chapa concentrates in insurance coverage and commercial litigation, as well as professional, liquor, premises, products and general liability.
A graduate of Michigan State University, Chapa advanced to Wayne State University Law School, where he earned his J.D. in 1987. He is admitted to the Michigan and Florida Bars and serves as a court appointed mediator and private arbitrator.
Martindale Hubbell Rating: AV - Very high to pre-eminent.
Recent published cases include Bennett v MIS Corp, in which summary judgment was successfully obtained on behalf of a Certified Industrial Hygeniest in the US District Court, Eastern District, Southern Division, and affirmed by the US Court of Appeals, on the basis that there were no duties owed to the plaintiff separate and distinct from the obligations specifically delineated in a contract with the Federal Aviation Administration. See, Bennett v MIS Crop, 607 F 3d 1026; (6th Cir. 2010); Bennett v MIS Corp, 2008 U.S. Dist., Lexis 67944 (E.D. Mich, September 5, 2008)
- Areas of Practice:
- Insurance Litigation
- Insurance Agents and Brokers Errors and Omissions
- Personal Injury
- Real Estate - Brokers and Agents Liability
- Toxic Torts
- Liquor Liability
- Construction and Contractors Liability
- Bar Admissions:
- Florida, 1988
- Michigan, 1987
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
- Education:
- Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, Michigan,
1987
J.D.
Honors: Delta Theta Phi - Michigan State University,
1983
B.A.
- Published Works:
- "Beware and Prepare: Top Insurance Industry Issues in 2009 and Beyond", Agents Market Source Magazine, Summer 2009 (co-author)
- "Know Thyself, Insure Thyself, E & O Coverages are Essential to Modern Insurance Practice", Insurance Journal, September 4, 2006
- "Self-Insurance Retention Can Save Dollars and Improve Control over Liability Claims of Litigation", Business Insurance, September, 2006
- "Recent Court of Appeals Case Reinforces an Insurance Agent's Duty to Advise Insureds", Michigan Lawyers Weekly, April 10, 2006
- Representative Clients:
- Kaufman Financial Group
- Burns & Wilcox, Ltd
- Scottsdale Insurance Company
- United States Liability Insurance Company
- The Markel Companies
- Lexington Insurance Company
- Essex Insurance Company
- Investors Insurance Company
- Evanston Insurance Company
- Colony Insurance Company
- CNA Insurance Companies
- USF Insurance Company
- RC Services
- Fleming & Hall
- Lasko Industries
- Burlington Insurance Company
- Hudson Insurance Group
- Max Specialty Insurance
- Haulers Insurance Company
- Vela Insurance Service
- State Farm Specialty Insurance
- Prairie State Administrators
- Western Insurance Company
- Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Board of Directors for the Association of Defense Trial Counsel, 2010 - 2011
- Member of the Board
- Board of Directors for the Association of Defense Trial Counsel, 2009 - 2010
- Member of the Board
- Joint Trial Lawyers of Southeastern Michigan, 2009 - 2010
- Secretary
- Association of Defense Trial Counsel, 2008 - 2009
- Committee Chairperson



