Marilyn Tyree has a passion for problem solving, attention to detail, and persuasive advocacy, whether in the wide-ranging areas of civil litigation, insurance coverage matters, entertainment law, or contractual disagreements. She has significant experience with product liability and premises cases. Her enthusiasm for the law aids in optimizing her clients' case and resolving conflicts through early judgments and favorable settlements, or, when necessary, trial.

Marilyn's experiences, both professionally and personally, have given her exceptional insights and compassion. She takes her responsibility to her clients personally and handles their concerns as her own. These attributes are not unappreciated: as one of her clients puts it, "Marilyn's work was wonderful. She handled the crisis perfectly with just the right amount of sympathy and re-assurance that everything would be alright."

Marilyn is a proud and active member of the Grand Rapids Lions Club and is on its Board of Directors. An avid musician and jazz enthusiast, Marilyn founded and manages the Beltline Big Band and is on the Board of Directors of the West Michigan Jazz Society. Her husband, Stephen, is the account manager for Allied Barton Security in West Michigan. Marilyn and Steve enjoy bowling with the Lions, bicycling, golf, and table tennis. Marilyn is very proud of her daughter Sara, a Chinese Linguist and Captain in the United States Air Force, and her grandchildren provide a source of nearly endless pleasure.

Education

• Valparaiso University (B.A., cum laude, 1984)
• Valparaiso University (J.D., 1987). Articles Editor, Valparaiso Law Review, 1986-1987.

Admitted to Practice

• State Bar of Michigan, 1987

Presentations

• "Construction Claims vs. Premises Claims - Can They Coexist?," Michigan Law: The News You Need, sponsored by SHRR, October 2008.
• “New Designs in Michigan Product Liability Law” – Organizer and moderator for Grand Rapids Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Grand Rapids, Michigan, February 15, 1996
• “Manufacturing in the Eye of Reform” -- Presenter at Risk Management and Product Liability Seminar at Applied Technology Center, Grand Rapids Community College, October 12, 1995

Client Successes for Marilyn S. Nickell Tyree

• 1/1/2009
  Jon VanderPloeg and Marilyn Tyree successfully moved to disqualify an adverse co-defendant's attorney on the basis of his conflict-of-interest. The Court of Appeals, on an interlocutory basis, reversed the trial court's denial of the motion. The co-defendant's attorneys posit full blame on SHRR's client in a wrongful death action, and the client had asserted a crossclaim against the co-defendant for contractual indemnification . During the early stages of litigation in the wrongful death action, Tyree discovered that the co-defendant's law firm actually has been representing SHRR's client in a separate, on-going action. The Court of Appeals agreed that, because the co-defendant's law firm represents the client in another action, the firm is disqualified from representing an adverse co-defendant in the wrongful death action.
• 5/1/2006
  Marilyn Tyree, in an intensely litigated wrongful death case, convinced the Michigan Court of Appeals to reverse the trial court’s denial of summary disposition in favor of her client, the descendant’s landlord. The descendent died 26 hours after sustaining severe burns in an apartment fire. The Court of Appeal agreed that, as a matter of law, the plaintiff was unable to establish that a defect in construction of the apartment proximately caused the fire at issue. The court also rejected the plaintiff’s argument that the defendant’s failure to obtain an occupancy permit for the apartment rendered the defendant liable.

Smith Haughey Articles

• Editor/Contributor - Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge’s Long Term Health Care Newsletter 1999-2001
• Editor/Contributor - Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge’s Product Liability Client Alert 1993-1999
• Can Plaintiffs Conduct Discovery of Tort Claims Prior to Filing Suit?, Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Newsletter, Number 1, at 7 (March 1991)

External Publications

• Note, A Remedy for Indiana’s Product Liability Malady, 21 Val. U.L. Rev. 159 (1986)

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association of West Michigan
• Women Lawyers Association of Western Michigan
• Multiracial Association of Professionals

Community Affiliations

• Beltline Big Band (President/Business Manager)
• West Michigan Jazz Society (Board Member)
• Rockford Community Band
• Grand Rapids Lions Club
• American Legion Auxiliary Post 401