McCarthy Rejoins Smith Haughey

     Grand Rapids, Mich., January 26, 2009 - The law firm of Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge is pleased to announce that E. Thomas McCarthy, Jr. has rejoined the firm as a shareholder in the Grand Rapids office. Tom originally joined Smith Haughey in 1978 and, with the exception of three years during which he worked with a small plaintiff firm, has been an important part of Smith Haughey's litigation team ever since.

     The focus of Tom's trial practice is the representation of catastrophically injured people. He maintains a state-wide practice representing people and families whose lives have been damaged through the negligent or wrongful conduct of others, securing compensation for trauma survivors and other victims of personal injury and wrongful death. Tom serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Plaintiff Personal Injury Practice Group.

     In addition to his trial practice, Tom has worked as a neutral facilitative mediator since 1989. He has been certified to mediate cases in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan since 1995, and is on the list of court-approved mediators in that court and many state courts. Tom has mediated hundreds of cases. He received his training as a mediator through programs at Harvard Law School, the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Tom has participated in training mediators by serving as a presenter and coach in various training sessions.

     Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge has been helping our clients overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities since 1941. With offices in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Traverse City, and more than 85 attorneys and counselors, we offer some of the most comprehensive legal experience available in the areas of Business and Property Law, Health Law, Construction Law, and Litigation. For more information about the firm, call 616.774.8000 or visit www.shrr.com.

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