Phillip K. Yeager

For 41 years Phil Yeager has represented property/casualty insurers with regard to the defense of property damage and personal injury claims, complex first and third party coverage litigation, No-Fault insurance litigation, and subrogation.  Mr. Yeager has a well-deserved reputation for successfully and efficiently handling the most difficult files the firm’s clients have.

In an age where most lawyers rarely try cases before a jury Mr. Yeager has an incredible track record of obtaining favorable verdicts nearly 95% of the time despite the fact approximately 100 of the 145 cases he has tried involved the assertion of the affirmative defenses of arson/fraud on behalf of insurers. Mr. Yeager is one of a select group of trial attorneys who have not only successfully defended first and third party claims involving damages in excess of $5 million but also successfully prosecuted subrogation claims for insurers where the damages exceeded $10 million. 

Prior to serving as the Managing Partner of Yeager, Davison and Day P.C.,  Mr. Yeager was the managing partner of the Grand Rapids office of the national insurance defense firm of Morrison, Mahoney & Miller, LLP.  Prior to his association with Morrison, Mahoney & Miller, LLP, Mr. Yeager was with the firm of Denenberg, Tuffley & Jamieson, P.C. for 12 years where he was the managing shareholder of its Grand Rapids, Michigan office.

In 1992, Mr. Yeager and Mr. Meigs M. Day successfully asserted an arson defense against an insured who claimed in excess of $9 million in property damages, loss of profits, penalty interest, emotional distress and attorney’s fees.  This verdict was described as one of the most significant defense verdicts in the country in the March 15, 1993 issue of the National Law Journal.

In 2002 Mr. Yeager and Mr. Dennis L. Hearon successfully prosecuted a recovery action in the United States Federal District Court in Columbus, Ohio in connection with claims arising as a result of Hurricane Bonnie which hit Virginia Beach, Virginia in August of 1998. After an extensive trial the jury entered a verdict of approximately $16.2 million dollars which, after application of applicable interest, represented a total verdict in excess of $21 million dollars.

In addition to property insurance issues, Mr. Yeager also has an extensive trial background in the defense of personal injury, no-fault, products liability, and other liability insurance cases.  In 1994, Mr. Yeager successfully prosecuted a declaratory judgment action involving allegations of sexual abuse on the part of the insured.  In the underlying action, the injured party had received a jury verdict which, at the time of the trial of the declaratory judgment action, was worth approximately $6.8 million.  This verdict was listed as one of the major defense verdicts in the country in the April 24, 1995 issue of the National Law Journal.

Mr. Yeager has also been an active speaker having made dozens of presentations to numerous insurance and fire science organizations.  Lastly, his background, expertise and pragmatic approach to property insurance claims has resulted in his repetitively being selected to serve as an appraiser, umpire and facilitator.

Memberships & Offices:

• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Member, Association of Defense Trial Counsel
• Member, Defense Research Institute
• Member, Michigan Arson Prevention Committee
• Member, Insurance Institute of Michigan
• Member, National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators
• Court Appointed Mediator/Case Evaluator in numerous counties throughout Michigan
• Member, International Association of Special Investigations Units