About Karl
Karl Numinen represents people accused of serious crimes, going through difficult divorces, or who have been severely injured. Where other lawyers cut deals, Karl takes the tough cases to trial and wins.
He has won jury trial acquittals for clients charged with murder, sex assault, robbery, tax evasion, assault and battery, drug offenses, possession of explosives, weapons offenses, and other serious crimes. He advocates for people suffering from catastrophic injuries and has obtained millions of dollars for his clients from insurance companies who previously denied their claims. He regularly handles complex divorce and custody cases, skillfully guiding his clients through the emotional turmoil of family crisis.
He has handled a wide variety of high-profile criminal cases, including the "Pictured Rocks Murder" trial featured on a special edition of Dateline NBC. His winning trial record includes three consecutive "Not Guilty" verdicts in one year in federal district court. In the 25+ years he has been defending the accused, he has developed special expertise in search and seizure law, police interrogations, and computer forensics. He frequently teaches classes on these subjects and has lectured at seminars sponsored by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan as well as the Michigan State Police.
His judgment, legal expertise, and honest reputation have been recognized by the judges of the Michigan Court of Appeals who appointed him as a settlement facilitator for domestic relations cases, the judges of the U.S. District Court who appointed him as a qualified civil mediator, and the members of the American Arbitration Association who appointed him as a neutral arbitrator for construction disputes. His peers have honored him with the highest possible ratings an attorney can receive, including the prestigious "AV" rating from Martindale Hubbell, named as a SuperLawyer, listed in The Best Lawyers in America, and a Superb rating from Avvo.
Karl is a partner of Numinen, DeForge & Toutant, PC and Of Counsel to the Barone Defense Firm.
Practice areas
- Criminal defense: 50%
DUI, Murder, Sex Crimes, Computer Crimes, Assault, Drug Crimes, Federal Crimes, White Collar, Health Care Fraud, Domestic Violence, Child Pornography
28 years
- Divorce and separation: 40%
Divorce, Custody, Alimony, Property Division, Child Support, Parenting Time, Personal Protection Orders, Domestic Violence
- Litigation: 10%
Personal Injury, Real Estate, Employment
28 years
Photos and videos
Contact
105 Meeske Avenue
Marquette, MI, 49855
- Office (906) 226-2580
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI | Active And In Good Standing | 1992 | 04/21/2021 |
| Legal answers | 1 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2015 |
| Selected by Peer Review | The Best Lawyers In America | 2015 |
| Selected by Peer Review | The Best Lawyers In America | 2014 |
| Super Lawyers | Thomson Reuters | 2014 |
| Rated "AV" Preeminent | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
| Selected by Peer Review | The Best Lawyers In America | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2013 |
| Selected | "The Best Lawyers in America" | 2012 |
| Super Lawyers | Thompson Reuters | 2012 |
| Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters - Super Lawyers | 2011 |
| Pro Bono Circle of Excellence | State Bar of Michigan Access to Justice Fund | 2010 |
| American Jurisprudence Award - Trial Skills | Thomas M. Cooley Law School | 1992 |
| American Jurisprudence Award - Family Law | Thomas M. Cooley Law School | 1992 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Partner | Pence & Numinen, PC | 2002 - Present |
| Adjunct Professor | Northern Michigan University | 2000 - 2003 |
| Shareholder | Federlein & Keranan, PC | 1999 - 2002 |
| Partner | Bowen, Distel & Numinen, PC | 1994 - 1999 |
| Associate | Loomis Ewert | 1992 - 1993 |
| Special Assistant | Governor James J. Blanchard | 1989 - 1991 |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Assistant | Michigan Primary Care Assoc. | 1988 - 1989 |
| Staff Assistant | U.S. Senator Don Riegle | 1985 - 1988 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan | Board Member | 2010 - Present |
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2009 - Present |
| American Arbitration Association | Neutral Arbitrator | 2001 - Present |
| State Bar of Michigan | Member | 1992 - Present |
| Family Law Council PAC | Chair | 1997 - 1998 |
| Family Law Council, State Bar of Michigan | Board Member | 1996 - 2000 |
|---|
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Institute of Continuing Legal Education (Michigan) | How to Prepare Your Client to Testify at Trial | 2013 |
| Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan publication | The Cross Examination of Snitches, Rats, and Other Government Informants | 2012 |
| Institute of Continuing Legal Education (Michigan) | How To Challenge An Illegal Search & Seizure | 2011 |
| Starting the Case: Michigan Complaint Manual (MAJ) | Contributor: Civil Rights Claim Against Police | 2011 |
| Michigan Family Law Journal | Property Holdings In 2nd Marriages | 1998 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| CDAM Trial College | Certificate | 2010 |
| Thomas M. Cooley Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1992 |
| Michigan State University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1988 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Michigan Legal Institute | Medical Marijuana Legal Update | 2015 |
| Spring Advanced Trial Skills Conference | Keynote Speech: Experts in CSC Cases | 2015 |
| Police Academy | Cross Examination of Police Officers | 2015 |
| NALS Spring Conference | Criminal Defense: How To Prepare For Trial | 2014 |
| People's Law School 2013 | Jury Selection | 2013 |
| CDAM Advanced Skills Seminar | Master Class: How to Select a Jury | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| CDAM Advanced Skills Seminar | Master Class: How to Handle False Confessions | 2013 |
| Summer Conference | Cross Examination of Snitches | 2012 |
| Michigan State Police Evidence Tech Course | Search and Seizure | 2012 |
| Advanced Skills Seminar | Master Class: How to Prepare Your Client to Testify at Trial | 2012 |
| Advanced Skills Seminar | Master Class: Cross Examination of Snitches | 2012 |
| People's Law School | Family Law | 2011 |
| People's Law School | Federal Criminal Law | 2010 |
| People's Law School | Criminal Trials | 2009 |
| Leadership Academy | Justice Day | 2008 |
| U.S. Courts Complex Litigation Seminar - Atlanta | Challenging Computer Search Warrants | 2006 |
| Michigan State Police Advanced Evidence Technician Training | Admitting Evidence | 2006 |
| Must-Know Divorce Strategies Seminar | Moderator | 2002 |
| Overcoming Juror Bias | Moderator | 2001 |
| U.P. Road Builders Association Seminar | Contract Issues | 2000 |
| U.P. Road Builders Association Meeting | Construction Issues for Road Commissions | 1999 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| "Not Guilty" Federal Tax Evasion | Not Guilty |
| "Not Guilty" Federal Tax Evasion | Not Guilty |
| "Not Guilty" verdict for former police officer | Acquittal |
| Karl Wins Prisoner Case | Not Guilty |
| Karl Wins Another Sex Assault Case | Not Guilty |
| Karl Obtains "Not Guilty" Jury Verdict in Federal Case | Not Guilty |
|---|---|
| Karl Wins "Bet Your Company" Federal Case | Jury Verdict For Defendants |
| Drug and Alcohol Charges Dismissed | Charges Dismissed! |
| Felony Drug Charges Dismissed | Multiple Felonies Dismissed! |
| Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed | All Charges Dismissed! |
| Judge Dismisses PPO | PPO Dismissed! |
| Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed | All Charges Dismissed! PPO Dismissed! |
| Felony DUI Charges Dismissed After Blood Test Challenged | All Charges Dismissed! |
| Drivers License Saved With Reduction of DUI | Charges Reduced - License Saved! |
| Judge Dismisses Marijuana Charges | All Charges Dismissed! |
| Felony Home Invasion and Assault Charges Dismissed | All Charges Dismissed! |
| Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed | All Charges Dismissed! |
| Felony DUI Reduced to Misdemeanor With No Jail | Felony Dismissed - plea to misdemeanor |
| Judge Dismisses DUI Charges For Sleeping Driver | All Charges Dismissed! |
| Felony DUI Charges Reduced to Misdemeanor | Felony Dismissed |
| Jury Says "Not Guilty" on 4 out of 5 Felony Counts | Not Guilty! (4 out of 5 counts) |
| Felony Fraud Charges Dismissed | All Charges Dismissed! |
| DUI Charges Dismissed After DataMaster Challenge | All Charges Dismissed! |
| Felony Case Ends After Mistrial Declared | Mistrial declared, client freed! |
| Attempted Murder Charges Dismissed After Finding Temporary Insanity | Not Guilty! |
| Jury Says "Not Guilty" After Trial on Sex Assault Case | Not Guilty! |
| Jury Says "Not Guilty" After Trial on Vehicle Assault Case | Not Guilty! |
| Jury Says "Not Guilty" After Trial on Drug Case | Not Guilty! |
Thanks for your excellence
Posted by Larry
Thu Apr 01 2021
Highly Recommend
Posted by Dylan
Tue Feb 11 2020
The Best!
Posted by Riley
Wed Dec 11 2019
Best Lawyer Ever!
Posted by Kari
Sat Dec 07 2019
Karl Numinen is a Highly Qualified Attorney
Posted by Denise
Thu Mar 28 2019
Karl takes care of business!!!
Posted by anonymous
Mon Aug 13 2018
Represented My Son
Posted by Elayne
Sat May 19 2018
Karl numinen- robbery trial
Posted by Justin
Wed Mar 14 2018
Best Criminal Defense Attorney
Posted by Kyle
Mon Feb 26 2018
Falsely Accused - Criminal
Posted by Sally
Tue Nov 21 2017
Attorney endorsements
(9)Brandon Rickard, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 26, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I had the pleasure of acting as co-counsel with Karl on an unarmed robbery trial. He is professional and thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him.
Jason Elmore, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 30, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
He is not only an intelligent and capable attorney, but a gentlemen.
Daniel Bretz, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 13, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Karl is a true professional. He has a very confident and effective style. He is very strong advocate with judges and prosecutors. He is a fighter who gets great results.
Joshua Blanchard, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 2, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I know Karl through my work with the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan. Karl has the knowledge and skills to effectively represent someone charged with a crime in either Federal or State court. If you're facing serious criminal charges anywhere near Marquette, you owe it to yourself to call Karl.
Michael Doby, Family Attorney on Feb 27, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Aaron Boria, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 29, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Karl Numinen is an amazing attorney. He is a leader among his peers. Anyone would be lucky to have Karl represent them. I endorse this lawyer.
Patrick Barone, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 14, 2011
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
Karl is not only one of the top lawyers in Northern Michigan, but one of the top in all of Michigan. Other lawyers look to Karl when seeking assistance with their complex legal matters, and he has taught at legal seminars, in Michigan and Georgia, on such subjects as search warrant issues and admitting evidence. He has been involved in law and politics for more than 25 years. Karl has the knowledge, the experience, the training and the skills necessary to help you get the justice you deserve. You can't go wrong with Karl.
Robert Whims, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 31, 2011
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have known Karl since the mid 90's, first as an adversary and subsequently as co-counsel on some other matters. Karl is an excellent lawyer, well-prepared, ethical and a pleasure to work with. I was referring clients to Karl before the internet became so central to what we do, and I have never had anyone disappointed with his handling of cases. I highly recommend Karl if you have legal issues arise.
William Maze, Criminal defense Attorney on May 5, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Karl is a tireless fighter on criminal cases. If you are charged with a crime up in the UP, he is a great lawyer. I trust his judgment, and I am sure that you will too.
Cost
- Hourly Rates$200-$250/hour