Attorney Robert L. Levi's Legal Cases

Employee benefits

Death Benefits Obtained for Family of Participant in Multi-Employer Pension

Dec 18, 2015

OUTCOME: Benefits Obtained

The pension administrator refused to pay the clients’ claim for death benefits, because the substantial unfunded liability of the plan had placed the plan into the “red zone” under provisions of the Em ... ployee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). But Robert Levi requested copious plan documents from the administrator. After carefully reviewing the documents, Levi discovered that the plan had actually emerged from the “red zone,” but the administrator had not told the pension participants and beneficiaries. Levi made a claim for the benefits exposing the true status of the plan. The administrator paid the claim.

Employment and labor

First Amendment Suit Against Charter School and Management Company

Sep 15, 2015

OUTCOME: Favorable Settlement

A new management company created a central office to administer the charter school, overriding the supremely successful site-based management that the principal had created. Two educators criticized t ... he management company’s decision. The educators advised parents of the detrimental changes to the school’s administrative structure. The management company, with the complicity of the school board, discharged the educators for their speech concerning a matter of public concern. Ordinarily, at a charter school, an educator is employed by the management company with which the school board contracts for independent operation of the school. In the usual case, a wrongfully discharged educator can sue only the management company, not the school board. But, in the first known case in Michigan, Robert Levi convinced the court that sufficient evidence of conspiracy between the management company and the board existed to justify taking both entities to trial for violation of the employees’ right to freedom of speech. Levi also obtained a favorable settlement for two school employees in unfair labor practice charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board.

Insurance

Successful Suit Against Title Company for Lack of Access to Island

Jul 31, 2015

OUTCOME: Favorable Settlement

The future purchaser of an island approached the client for a loan to buy the island. The purchaser represented to the client and an appraiser that there was land access to the island across a small b ... ridge from the shoreline. But the purchaser did not tell the client that the shoreline land owners had blocked his access to the island and he was in litigation. Based upon the favorable appraisal which assumed land access, the client loaned the money to the purchaser. After closing, the client discovered that the purchaser had lost the litigation and had no land access to the island. This loss made the island worth much less than the purchaser’s obligation under the promissory note. The largest title insurance company in the United States had insured the island against lack of right of access. But the company refused to pay the client the policy benefits, because the company claimed access by water was sufficient. After successfully fighting the title insurance company’s Motion to Dismiss, Levi obtained a favorable settlement for the client.

Appeals

Dismissal of a Criminal Charge Even Though Not Expungeable

Mar 19, 2015

OUTCOME: Dismissal of Charge

The client incurred a criminal conviction even though the circumstances that led to it were extremely extenuating. The client was very intelligent and had a very admirable record as a university stude ... nt. She had performed substantial volunteer work for worthy causes. She had the strong support of her family. Ordinary, the client’s post-conviction contributions to society would easily warrant an expungement. But, by law, the type of the conviction was not expungeable. By reviewing the court record, Robert Levi discovered errors by the judge and the client’s trial attorney. With a detailed letter setting out his client’s positive achievements and the errors in the proceedings, Levi appealed to the prosecutor’s sense of justice. The prosecutor agreed to dismiss the conviction, because it was in the interest of justice.

Robert L. Levi's Legal Cases (4)

Death Benefits Obtained for Family of Participant in Multi-Employer Pension

First Amendment Suit Against Charter School and Management Company

Successful Suit Against Title Company for Lack of Access to Island

Dismissal of a Criminal Charge Even Though Not Expungeable