Changing The Way Law Is Practiced

Law Is A Service Business

Our Service Pledge:  We understand that the legal business is a service business built on meeting customer expectation and solving problems.  To keep cases and legal solutions on track, we document legal goals and strategies from the outset, define phases of representation and set legal budgets which fit within our clients' means and expectations.  We are not afraid to answer the tough questions and welcome client contact and participation as part of a true team effort.  There is a reason why our clients come back. Customer service does make all the difference.

Ask Us About Value-Based Billing

Embracing alternative and value-based business models:  We embrace alternative billing models which support our principle of 'paying value for value provided.'  If our activities are not providing real value to solving your legal problem, we don't bill it.  We never bill for phone calls under 10 minutes (we love to speak with our clients without having to worry about the billing clock).  Basic transactional and administrative activities (like transmittal letters, filing and other paper moving tasks) can add up to 15% or more of your monthly legal bill with many traditional billing models.  We treat these activities as part of the cost of business.  You only pay for activities which solve legal problems or are directed at accomplishing your legal goals.

Technology Advantage

Leveraging leading edge technology:  We are one of the most technologically advanced firms in Michigan.  Our incorporation of technology into our case management process creates efficiencies, promotes collaboration and provides more legal value per client dollar. You get more value at a reduced cost.  We stay focused on delivering results.

Hire The Best

Experience and Expertise:  We offer a breadth of experience in a variety of litigation and niche legal matters.  We encourage you to compare our credentials, experience and proven results with other law firms.  We are confident that you will conclude that this law firm is in the best position to deliver results within budget. If we can't handle your legal problem, we will help you find someone who can.

Our Staff

Attorneys

• Enrico Schaefer
• Mark Clark
• Brian Hall
• Ronald G. Gabler, Of Counsel
• Katie Horvath, Of Counsel
• Jason Young, Of Counsel 

Paralegals

• Al Dalesandro
• Cathy A. Dittrich
• Pat Buttermore

Global Representation of Business Interests

Founding Attorney Enrico Schaefer

Mr. Schaefer is a seasoned trial attorney practicing internet, domain and trademark, class action and mass tort law on a global basis. Mr. Schaefer has first chair trial experience in a wide variety of litigation matters, including class action litigation, mass accident, internet and domain law, cybersquatting actions, intellectual property, commercial and fiduciary litigation, UDRP and IP licensing. He has represented some of the largest companies in the world in litigation, domain name, trademark and related matters. He has multiple million dollar plus verdicts to his name. He is a frequent author and presenter on issues related to protecting business interests in a global internet economy. Mr. Schaefer represents personal, company and business interests from around the world.

Enrico Schaefer's Professional Resume

EMPLOYMENT

Founder, Traverse Legal, PLC, Traverse City, MI, January 2005 - present. Law firm focused on global protection of business interests, mass tort litigation and class actions. Specializing in internet law, intellectual property issues, domain disputes, complex litigation, technology company representation and general counsel services. using technology to connect to clients located throughout the world.

Partner, Smith & Johnson, PC, Traverse City, MI, January 2000 - December 2004. Business and internet law, first-amendment and defamation, commercial transactions, non-compete contracts, trade secret theft and commercial matters.

Founder, EPLF, PC, Bingham Farms & Leland, MI, May 1995- present. Business, commercial and intellectual property representation and litigation. Firm was founded specifically to pursue the case Overlooked Opinions, Inc. v. TransNational Communications, Inc. in the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Case involved breach of contract, unfair trade practices, intellectual property rights violations, FCC regulatory issues, insurance coverage disputes and UCC Article 9 security and collection issues. Also handled a variety of commercial and transactional work for telecommunications clients, including loans, financing and vendor-supplier contracts. The jury returned a $2.4 million dollar verdict in favor of Mr. Schaefer's client.

Of Counsel, Hilborn & Hilborn, PC, Birmingham, MI, January 1999 - 2000. Litigation firm specializing in national product liability and commercial litigation. Handled complex litigation on a project basis in cases pending throughout the United States.

President and General Counsel, All-One Intranet, Inc., Boulder, CO, October 1996 - June 1998. Internet technology company located in Boulder, CO. Provided representation and managed outside counsel in a variety of corporate, finance and commercial contract issues, including: corporate structure; venture capital financing; reseller and strategic partner contracts; merger strategies and vendor relations.

Litigation Attorney, Jaques Admiralty Law Firm, Detroit, MI, September 1993 - January 1995. Admiralty & maritime law firm focusing on complex toxic tort litigation and mass tort class action on behalf of merchant mariners. Toxins included asbestos and benzene. Front-line involvement with mass tort class action proceedings, federal MDL litigation, bankruptcy proceeding against insolvent ship owners and insurance (P & I) coverage disputes.

Litigation Attorney, Bowman and Brooke, Detroit, MI, July 1991- September 1993. Automotive product liability and toxic tort defense litigation. Represented automotive manufacturers and large insurance carriers in complex product liability litigation on a national basis. Handled all aspects of litigation, from case strategy and pre-suit investigation through discovery and trial.

Law Clerk, The Honorable Richard F. Suhrheinrich, July 1990- July 1991. U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Detroit, MI & Cincinnati, OH

EDUCATION

Michigan State University College of Law, January 1990, Summa Cum Laude (Rank 1 / 96). Numerous academic awards and scholarships. Recipient, American Jurisprudence Awards: Contracts, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Corporations, Evidence, Estates and Trusts and Research Writing and Advocacy. Managing Editor, Detroit College of Law Review, 1989. Author: Case Note Publication, "Barring the Tort Claims of Fire Fighters and Police Officers," Detroit College of Law Review, Issue 3, Summer 1988.

Albion College, Albion, MI, January 1986. B.A. Political Science

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

Michigan State Bar, admitted January 1990
Detroit Bar Association, since 1991
Defense Research Institute (DRI), 1990-93
American Trial Lawyers Association
Michigan Trial Lawyers Association
Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim Bar Association
Intellectual Property Section,  MSB
ConnecTech GT, President
Linked ICANN
IP Lawyers Group
Domainers Group

PERSONAL

Extensive experience in internet-based technologies, including client / server software, data security and data transmission.  Enrico enjoys backcountry camping, hiking, jogging and reading.