Secrest Wardle

Secrest Wardle is a Michigan litigation defense law firm representing insurance carriers, municipalities, businesses, and other organizations in civil disputes and advisory matters. Established more than a century ago, the firm has grown from a single Detroit office into a substantial statewide practice. Its work includes civil litigation, municipal law, commercial and business law, alternative dispute resolution, appellate matters, and numerous specialized defense practices serving clients across Michigan.

Secrest Wardle maintains 20 practice groups covering areas such as motor vehicle litigation, premises liability, product liability, trucking and commercial vehicle litigation, construction, employment, environmental and toxic tort matters, insurance coverage, professional liability, property and casualty claims, and general negligence. The firm also handles commercial and business disputes, helping clients evaluate liability, manage litigation risk, develop defense strategies, and respond to claims involving complex factual and legal issues.

Secrest Wardle advises cities, villages, townships, and other governmental bodies through one of its major municipal law practices. The firm provides counsel on ordinance drafting and enforcement, contracts, procurement, Open Meetings Act and FOIA compliance, regulatory approvals, special assessments, intergovernmental agreements, and public hearings. Its attorneys also defend governmental actions in court and handle appellate matters that can affect municipalities, insurers, businesses, and other clients beyond an individual dispute.

Secrest Wardle serves clients from offices in Troy and Grand Rapids and emphasizes practical representation, efficient case management, and direct attention to client needs. Its real estate lawyers handle transactions, closings, land disputes, and riparian rights matters, while other teams address property claims, appeals, and specialized litigation. By combining focused practice groups with firm-wide resources, Secrest Wardle helps clients manage disputes, protect organizational interests, and address legal challenges across Michigan.