James E. R. Fifelski

James E. R. Fifelski

5.0
Rating: 9.6

Licensed for 22 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Ann Arbor, MI
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

455 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 360, Ann Arbor, MI

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 65%

Professionally handled all categories of criminal charges with strong results for clients. Obtained dismissals and acquittals for many clients. I diligently work through the challenges associated with facing a life changing criminal charge!

23 years

65%
DUI and DWI 35%

Strong, knowledgeable defense of Operating While Intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, including felony charges, and OWI Causing Death. Successfully obtained dismissals and acquittals in many cases. Most of my DUI clients have not been sentenced to jail.

23 years

35%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 22 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2003

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Fifelski Legal, PLC

455 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 360, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108

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James E. R. Fifelski's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

11 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (11) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews

Posted by Joshua | October 08, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Best possible outcome. Twice!

James knocked it out of the park for me. Not once, but twice! In 2013 I was facing up to 10 years in prison - with good behavior I could have expected no less than 48 months. The charges were drug trafficking related during a drug addicted period in my life when I was younger. The end result was s...pending no time in jail or prison at all which I believe saved me from spiraling into more of a criminal life. Fast forward 11 years later, he helped with expunging all four of my felonies from that time and there were absolutely no arguments from the prosecutor. The judge was elated to expunge them and I am now looking forward to advancing my career even further, free of any criminal record. James is an honest and very talented lawyer. I would recommend him to anyone. Thank you James!!!

Posted by Ted | April 30, 2024 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

James Fifelski is your guy- He will go all out for you!

I’ve been fortunate to know James for a more than 10 years, during some of my more unfortunate times. He recently handled a sticky DUI case of mine- which worked outstandingly in my favor. After meeting with other attorneys, James was the only one that actually seemed eager to fight it where ...as the others just saw me as another number & would try to get me the best “terms” for sentencing. I wanted to go all in and fight it, this is exactly what James did- he wants to fight for you. James is very intelligent, and you can tell he has a lot of experience in multiple types of litigation. Perhaps most importantly, outside of winning my case, he’s an all around great person that actually cares for you as a human-being, not just another client & dollar sign. Hopefully won’t need to use him again in this manner, but if so, I wouldn’t call anyone else.

Posted by Ermira Maria Henry | June 07, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Family

Mr. James E. R. Fifelski

If I only had the power to clone the Attorney James Fifelski; Without exaggeration I would make at least 1 million of him for our courts. Integrity is his middle name and peace in courts his first name. Thank you for all you are doing for Henry Children: James, Michael and Elisa and their mother Er...mira Maria Henry. May God bless you.

Posted by anonymous | April 19, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Anonymous

Mr. Fifelski did an outstanding job covering my case. He was considerate and professional. I would suggest him for anyone who is in a sticky predicament.

Posted by anonymous | November 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

client

Excellent Appellate Criminal Defense Attorney. He is detailed and experienced with research. He is respectful, serious and a true defender. The best in Washtenaw County.

See All Client Reviews

James E. R. Fifelski's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse James . He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Cevin C. Taylor headshot
Cevin Taylor

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Fifelski is a very vigorous advocate for his clients. He recently won an appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals for one of his clients that will change Michigan law for the better. He also cares deeply about his clients, and is a very ethical attorney. I have referred many clients to him, and he has always done a great job for them."

View All Endorsements
Jason B. Negri headshot
Jason Negri

Estate planning lawyer

Cevin C. Taylor headshot
Cevin Taylor

Tax lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.6 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers

2016

Rising Stars / Michigan, Super Lawyers

2016

client review rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Nationally Ranked Top Ten Attorney, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers

2015

Rising Stars / Michigan, Super Lawyers

2015

Nationally Ranked Top 10 Under 40, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys

2015

Top Lawyers in Michigan, The Legal Network

2014

Rising Stars / Michigan, Super Lawyers

2013

Rising Stars / Michigan, Super Lawyers

2013

Top Attorneys Rising Stars in Michigan, The New York Times

2012

Rising Stars / Michigan, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Managing Partner, Fifelski Legal, PLC

2003 - 2010

Attorney - Partner, Vincent & Fifelski, PC

2001 - 2003

Law Clerk, The Vincent Law Firm, PC

2001 - 2001

Judicial Intern/Interim Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, Eastern District Of Michigan

Associations

2012 - Present

Supreme Court of the United States of America

Admitted to Practice

2004 - Present

United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Admitted to Practice

2004 - Present

United States Tax Court

Admitted to Practice

2003 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

Admitted to Practice

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. Nunley

In favor of Mr. Fifelski's argument

See More Legal Cases

Education

2003

Ave Maria School of Law

Juris Doctor

1999

Franciscan University of Steubenville

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Publications

2011

Michigan Lawyers Weekly Mailing certificate testimonial, state clerk must appear at trial

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
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