Julie I. Fershtman
About Julie
Biography
Julie I. Fershtman is an Equity Shareholder with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC in its Southfield, Michigan, office, with a law practice that is national in scope. She practices commercial/business litigation (plaintiff and defense), insurance law, premises liability, contract disputes, business fraud, construction defect, product liability, and sporting and recreational liability matters. Her clients range from insurance companies and businesses to individuals. In addition, she is widely considered to be one of the nation's leading practitioners in the field of Equine Law.
An experienced trial lawyer, she has tried cases before juries in 4 states, and has been admitted to practice as pro hac vice counsel in state and federal courts in 21 jurisdictions across the country.
Ms. Fershtman was the 77th President (2011-2012) of the State Bar of Michigan and was a Vice-Chair of a committee of the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section. She is also Vice-President of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. She also served on the ABA House of Delegates.
Her professional distinctions include being listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Business Litigation and Insurance Law. Michigan Super Lawyers has repeatedly ranked her among the "Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan" and one of the "Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan." She was also named the Michigan Lawyers Weekly "Woman of the Year" in Michigan's legal profession in 2016 and was named to its Michigan Lawyers "Hall of Fame" in 2024. She received the State Bar of Michigan's Roberts P. Hudson Award and its Michael Franck Award as well as the Oakland County Bar Association's "Professionalism Award."
A frequent author and speaker, she has written over 425 published articles on legal topics and is author of 4 books and contributor to 4 books published by the ABA. She has lectured at seminars, conventions, and continuing education conferences in 29 states.
She graduated from Emory College and Emory Law School.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Michigan for 39 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
Location
Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC
28411 Northwestern Highway, Suite 500, Southfield, MI, 48034
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Julie I. Fershtman's Reviews
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Julie I. Fershtman's Lawyer Endorsements
"I definitely endorse Attorney Julie I. Fershtman, particularly in the area of equine law. I exclusively practice in the area of family law. I had a divorce matter that involved division of ownership rights of horses and I had many questions about the corresponding liability and insurance ramifications. Per multiple recommendations, and after reading one of her articles in the Michigan Bar Journal, I contacted Ms. Fershtman and I sure was not disappointed. In my communication with Ms. Fershtman, I quickly learned that she is a human equine law encyclopedia. She was so excited to share her wisdom with me. It was obvious she is a master of her craft. Her insight was quite valuable to helping my client. It is hard to imagine there could be many attorneys that could match her passion and knowledge in the field of equine law."
"I endorse Julie for her exceptional expertise in equine law."
"Julie is incredibly knowledgeable in the area of animal law."
"Ms. Fershtman is respected and well known by attorneys for her expertise, high ethical standards, and civility. I endorse this attorney."
"Julie is one of the most respected attorneys in Michigan. She just finished her reign as President of the State Bar of Michigan - which means she was the leader of the entire attorney bar, a position held in the utmost regard. She presided with honor, integrity and grace. Her practice and involvement in the legal community is unparalleled. She is an inspiration to attorneys and I am happy that I have the opportunity to see her lead."
"Julie is well-known and well-respected in the legal community for her expertise in equine law. She is not only a top-rated attorney; she is a warm and caring individual who contributes to the betterment of the legal field by volunteering her time to support the professional development of her colleagues. I would absolutely recommend Julie for a consultation about a legal matter in her field of practice."
Animal law lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
2025
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2025
Best Lawyers in America - Business Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2024
Top Lawyer, DBusiness Magazine
2024
Michigan Lawyers Hall of Fame, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
2024
America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
2024
Best Lawyers in America - Business Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2024
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2024
Super Lawyers - Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan, Thomson Reuters
2024
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2023
Top Lawyer, DBusiness Magazine
2023
America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
2023
Super Lawyers - Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan, Thomson Reuters
2023
Super Lawyers - Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Thomson Reuters
2023
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2023
Best Lawyers in America - Business Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2022
Top Lawyer, DBusiness Magazine
2022
Best Lawyers in America - Business Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2022
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2021
Super Lawyers - Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Thomson Reuters
2021
Super Lawyers - Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan, Thomson Reuters
2021
Michigan Top Lawyers, dbusiness
2021
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2021
Best Lawyers in America - Business Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2020
Super Lawyers - Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan, Thomson Reuters
2020
Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2020
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2020
Super Lawyers - Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Thomson Reuters
2019
Super Lawyers - Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan, Thomson Reuters
2019
Top 25 Women Business Lawyers in Michigan, SuperLawyers
2019
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, SuperLawyers
2019
Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2019
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2018
Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2018
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2018
Jean King Leadership Award, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
2018
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, SuperLawyers
2018
Top 25 Women Business Lawyers in Michigan, SuperLawyers
2018
Michigan Top Lawyers, dbusiness
2017
Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award, American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Animal Law Committee
2017
Michigan Super Lawyer - "Civil Litigation Defense", Super Lawyers
2017
Top 25 Women Business Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2017
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2017
Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan, Crain's Detroit Business
2017
Michigan Top Lawyers, dbusiness
2017
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2017
Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2016
Michigan Super Lawyer - "Civil Litigation Defense", Super Lawyers
2016
Top 25 Women Business Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2016
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2016
Woman of the Year, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
2016
Top Lawyers, dbusiness Magazine
2016
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2016
Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2015
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2015
Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2015
Top Lawyers, dbusiness Magazine
2015
Michigan Super Lawyer - "Civil Litigation Defense", Super Lawyers
2015
Top 25 Women Business Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2015
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2014
Litigation Counsel of America Fellow 2014-2016, Litigation Counsel of America
2014
Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2014
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2014
Michael Franck Award, State Bar of Michigan
2014
Top 25 Women Business Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2014
Michigan Super Lawyer - "Civil Litigation Defense", Super Lawyers
2013
Best Lawyers in America - Insurance Law, Woodward-White, Inc.
2013
Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Woodward-White, Inc.
2013
Top 25 Women Business Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2013
"Distinguished Service" Award, American Youth Horse Council
2013
Michigan "Super Lawyer" - Civil Litigation Defense, Super Lawyers
2013
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers
2012
"Super Lawyer" - Civil Litigation Defense, Thomson Reuters
2012
"Respect for Law" Award, Bloomfield Hills Optimist Club
2011
"Super Lawyer" - Civil Litigation Defense, Law & Politics Magazine
2010
Top Lawyers, dbusiness Magazine
2010
"Super Lawyer" - Civil Litigation Defense, Law & Politics Magazine
2010
"Woman to Watch", Crain's Detroit Business
2010
Leader in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
2010
AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
Top Lawyers, dbusiness Magazine
2009
"Super Lawyer" - Civil Litigation Defense, Law & Politics Magazine
2008
"Super Lawyer" - Civil Litigation Defense, Law & Politics Magazine
2007
One of Metro Detroit's "Most Influential Women", Crain's Detroit Business
2000
Professionalism Award, Oakland County Bar Assoc.
1996
One of Metro Detroit's "40 [Business Leaders] Under 40", Crain's Detroit Business
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Equity Shareholder, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC
Associations
2023 - Present
Michigan State Bar FoundationVice President
2013 - Present
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association FoundationFellow
2006 - Present
American Bar FoundationLife Fellow
2003 - Present
Michigan State Bar FoundationTrustee & Fellow
2000 - Present
Oakland County Bar FoundationLife Fellow
2020 - 2024
American Bar AssociationHouse of Delegates
2014 - 2024
Michigan Supreme Court Historical SocietyDirector
2011 - 2012
American Bar AssociationHouse of Delegates
2011 - 2012
State Bar of MichiganPresident
2007 - 2008
Oakland County Bar AssociationSecretary
2005 - 2014
American Bar AssociationVice Chair - Animal Law Committee
2001 - 2008
Oakland County Bar AssociationBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
Secured summary judgment for defense, and won appeal of this ruling in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Judgment in clients' favor.
Motion Granted - Case Dismissed
Summary Judgment for Defendant/Insurer
Ruling for Plaintiffs at Bench Trial
Directed verdict for defense at jury trial
Jury Verdict for Defense
Directed verdict for defense at jury trial
Summary judgment for defense
Defense ruling at trial
Summary dismissal in client's favor and won appeal
Secured summary judgment for defendants in wrongful death case in state and federal court.
Education
1986
JD - Juris Doctor
1983
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1983
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2025
Product Liability
2025
Livestock Liabilities and Risk Management
2024
Liability Waivers
2024
Livestock Liabilities and Risk Management
2023
Insurance Coverage and Risk Management
2018
2016
“Private Practice: One Size Does Not Fit All”
2016
21st Century Practice Task Force
2016
Enforceability of Liability Waivers/Releases
2016
Livestock Event Liabilities
2016
Common Livestock Mortality Disputes
2016
Loose Livestock Liabilities
2016
Equine Activity Liability Statutes
2016
21st Century Practice Task Force
2015
Equine Activity Liability Statutes
2015
Enforceability of Liability Waivers/Releases
2015
Liabilities and Risk Management
2015
Liability & Risk Management
2014
Professional Liabilities
2014
Sporting & Recreational Liabilities
2014
Animal Liabilities
2014
Risk Management and Insurance
2014
Bullying of and by Lawyers (Speaker & Moderator)
2013
Enforceability of Liability Waivers/Releases
2013
Sporting & Recreational Liabilities
2012
Liability and Waivers/Release Enforceability
2012
Sporting and Recreational Liabilities
2012
Professionalism and Opportunity
2012
Agricultural Liability & Property Insurance
2012
Speaker
2011
Enforceability of Liability Waivers and Releases
2011
Women in the Law Webinar
2011
"The Road to Independence" Women in the Law - ABA Annual Mtg.
2009
Insurance Law & Specialty Risks Liability
2009
Independent Contractors
2009
Developing Law Practice
2008
Insurance Law & Liability - Equestrian
2008
Equipment Liabilities
2008
Insurance Coverage Issues
2007
Professional Services
2005
Equine Activity Liability and Insurance
Publications
2019
2014
2013
2013
2011
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2000
1996
Languages
English