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 6 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

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 anonymous | April 28, 2013 | Criminal Defense

THE BEST attorney! highly recommend him without any reservation! !

Attorney James Fifelski is THE BEST attorney I have seen. Compared with previous three lawyers I worked with, two of who are “big names” somewhat, none of them can compare with Jim! Jim is a really great problem solver! He is smart, diligent, and super-professional. He got my two cases dismisse...d in about two months! As a native of china without any knowledge about US legal systems but faced rootless charges, I appreciate Jim’s great help so much because it made me fearless and confident. He has a very accurate analysis for each count and always takes the right strategies to attack these so called charges. He knows when to use motions to dismiss a count and when to fight in a trial to crack another elegantly. He is a professional lawyer. However, he has been fighting for me like a best friend and a family member. Jim is good at finding valuable information and evidence from your description and makes right estimation for your case. Unlike another lawyer I worked with who is “famous” for his so-called zero-emotion and no-promise (he got a much worse result than I expected on my case but charged me much more expensive attorney fee), Jim told me clearly at the beginning that my case should be dismissed and he would fight for its dismissal. He said it, he did it, and he achieved it! A real super-lawyer, highly recommend him without any reservation!

Posted by anonymous | February 18, 2013 | Cannabis Law

This guy fought hard for me and he will fight hard for you

I needed an attorney who was knowledgeable about the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, and who would stand up for me in the face of the court's blatant misinterpretation of the people's law. I spoke with two other lawyers before meeting with Mr. Fifelski, and both of those lawyers told me I would prob...ably have to plea to a felony in a bargain. Mr Fifelski exhibited a more thorough understanding of the law, and while there are obviously no guarantees, he believed my case was strong enough to get a misdemeanor if I decided to plea. The prosecution refused to offer the misdemeanor plea bargain, and so Mr. Fifelski was successful in quashing the warrant and charges against me in a pre-trial examination. The fourth amendment is a wonderful thing, and Mr. Fifelski knows how to use it!

Posted by anonymous | February 12, 2013 | Criminal Defense

James had a firm handle on the situation

Better results than I could of imagined. He told me his plan upfront - then delivered on it. His fee was expensive, however, I have paid expensive lawyers in the past that in no way close actually worked as much and communicated as much with me as this lawyer. I revently found a story about him in t...he news. In the news article James client received no jail time at all and was growing marijuana in the Meijers supermarket in Ypsilanti. Google it up - it seems almost unreal.

Posted by Stuart | August 13, 2012 | Criminal Defense

He is one of the good ones

James Fifelski has the integrity, knowledge, temperament, diligence, skills, and knowledge necessary to represent his clients well. This man clearly should be doing the work he is engaged in... criminal defense. Actually he has only advised me on a few different cases involving my small business..., but I can can assure you that he will give you the feeling that he knows what he is doing: not because he's a slick salesman type of guy... but because he is IN FACT the real deal. Do not hesitate to have him defend you: you will not be disappointed.

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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