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FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC is pleased to announce the addition of attorney, and shareholder, Julie I. Fershtman. Fershtman concentrates her law practice in the areas of general insurance defense, insurance coverage, premises liability, business litigation, and sporting and recreational liability. Her clients range from major insurance companies and businesses to individuals. In addition, she is considered to be one of the nation's leading developers of and experts in the field of equine law.
"Foster Swift is a firm with a solid reputation of high-caliber legal service, service to the community, and service to the bar," said Fershtman. "I am honored to be joining the firm."
Her professional distinctions include being selected by Crain's Detroit Business as one of the "Top 15 Women to Watch" in 2010 and as one of "Metro Detroit's Most Influential Women" in 2007. In 2000 she received the Oakland County Bar Association's prestigious "Professionalism Award." In 1996 she was named one of "40 Outstanding Business Leaders Under 40" by Crain's Detroit Business and in 1995 the American Bar Association's Barrister Magazine named her in "21 Young Lawyers Leading Us into the 21st Century."
"Julie Fershtman is a dynamic attorney who fits in well with our firm's growth strategy," said Gary McRay, president at Foster Swift. "Julie has a national reputation and is exactly the type of quality lawyer we like to see as a partner in this firm. She will be the Michigan State Bar President in September, 2011 which speaks highly of her reputation, her involvement in Bar activities, her practice and her leadership skills."
Fershtman is currently the president-elect of the 40,500-member State Bar of Michigan for 2010-2011 and will become its president for 2011-2012. In the American Bar Association, she is a vice-chair of the Animal Law Committee of the Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section. Fershtman is a past officer of the Oakland County Bar Association, a trustee of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and Oakland County Bar Foundation.
Highly rated by her peers, Fershtman was awarded an "AV" rating (highest possible peer review rating) by The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, a "10.0/10 - Superb" (highest rating) by the lawyer rating service avvo.com and Michigan Lawyers Weekly honored her as a "Leader in the Law" in 2010. She was also named a "Michigan Super Lawyer®" in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by Law & Politics magazine as well as a "Michigan Top Lawyer" by Dbusiness magazine in 2009.
Fershtman has achieved numerous courtroom victories in a variety of legal matters, has successfully tried cases before juries in 4 states, and has been admitted as special pro hac vice counsel in state and federal courts in 12 states.
She has lectured at seminars, conventions, and conferences in 27 states on issues involving law, liability, risk management, and insurance. In addition, she has authored over 190 published articles and 3 books, the third book of which was published by the ABA in 2009.
Fershtman graduated from Emory College in 1983 and Emory Law School in 1986.