For over 30 years, Craig Noland has successfully litigated cases throughout the state of Michigan. His cases have resulted in numerous published opinions of the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. He has served as chairman of the firm's litigation department, and his litigation practice focuses on commercial, construction, municipal, civil rights, land use and zoning litigation. Craig currently serves as managing partner of the firm's Grand Rapids office and chair of the firm's Governmental Law Department.

Craig is a frequent lecturer and author on municipal litigation and land use issues. He is a regular presenter for the Michigan Township Association and the Michigan Public Risk Management Association.

He and his wife, Rita, have three children in high school and college. They enjoy school activities and sports.

Noteworthy

• Listed as a "Michigan Super Lawyer" (2007-2011) -- General Litigation
• AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Education

• Indiana University (B.A., 1976). Phi Beta Kappa.
• Indiana University (J.D., 1979)

Admitted to Practice

• State Bar of Michigan, 1979

Client Successes for Craig R. Noland

• 10/1/2009
  In a case handled by Craig Noland in the trial court and Bill Henn in the appellate court, we represented a township that was sued by dozens of plaintiffs whose homes had been damaged by a severe flood of the Grand River. The defendant township, as a matter of public safety, suspended occupancy permits for the damaged houses. The plaintiffs argued that the government had wrongfully taken their property without just compensation by the suspension of their occupancy permits,
• 10/1/2009
  On behalf of their client, Craig Noland and Todd Millar obtained dismissal of a complaint by property owners that denial of zoning requests for a special use permit violated their constitutional rights
• 8/1/2009
  Craig Noland and Bill Henn successfully represented our township client in a case before the Court of Appeals. In this case, the plaintiff property owner claimed that the "vibrations" from sewer construction activities along the road right of way caused structural damage and rendered the building "unsafe." The plaintiff attempted to avoid a governmental immunity defense by claiming a "taking" without just compensation. The trial court denied our motion for summary disposition as to the taking claim, but the Court of Appeals held that plaintiff's claims did not constitute a taking, and that the case against the township should be dismissed.
• 3/1/2009
  Craig Noland successfully represented a township fire department and the operator of a fire truck in defense of a personal injury complaint filed on behalf of a school bus driver. At the time of the accident, the fire truck was responding to an alarm. While making a left turn at an intersection, the operator struck the schoolbus. (There were no kids in the bus at the time.) At the conclusion of trial, the jury determined that the operator of the fire truck was not negligent, and thus returned a verdict in favor of defendants.
• 10/1/2006
  Craig Noland represented a township, the township supervisor, and the township fire chief in defense of a civil lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and retaliatory discharge brought by a former township employee. At the conclusion of the trial, the court rendered a judgment of no-cause of action in favor of all the defendants.

Smith Haughey Publications

News for Craig R. Noland

10/7/2010
Smith Haughey Lawyers Named "Super Lawyers"

9/17/2009
Smith Haughey Lawyers Named "Super Lawyers"

12/17/2008
Board of Directors Elected to Lead Smith Haughey in the New Year

9/25/2008
Smith Haughey Lawyers Named "Super Lawyers"

12/20/2007
Board of Directors Elected to Lead Smith Haughey in the New Year

9/24/2007
Smith Haughey Lawyers Named "Super Lawyers"

1/8/2007
Board of Directors Elected to Lead Smith Haughey in the New Year

1/4/2005
Officers Elected to Lead SHRR

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association (Member, Section on Litigation; Forum on Construction)
• State Bar of Michigan (Member, Sections on: Real Estate; Labor and Employment Law; Litigation; Public Corporation Law)
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Michigan Public Risk Management Association
• County Road Association of Michigan
• Michigan Township Association