Matthew Sunderlin
Mr. Sunderlin obtained his Undergraduate Degree from the James Madison Honors College at Michigan State University in 2011 and his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University in 2014.
He is admitted to the State Bar of Michigan and the Federal Courts for the Eastern & Western Districts of Michigan. He handles personal injury defense, collections and commercial litigation. He is a member of The Association of Defense Trial Counsel.
In his spare time he is a Student Mentor for the Great Lakes Invitational Conference Association (Model United Nations) and an avid kayaker.
Admitted to Practice
State Bar of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan
The Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Great Lakes Invitational Conference Association
Student Mentor
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Recent News
Court of Appeals Victory
Plaintiff negotiated a pre-suit settlement with our clients’ insurer, but then filed suit anyway, alleging that she never agreed to any settlement. We elicited key testimony allowing us to prevail at the Circuit Court on the grounds that the pre-suit settlement constituted a valid accord and satisfaction, barring further litigation of the claim. Plaintiff appealed, arguing that there was no “meeting of the minds” and that the pre-suit settlement was fraudulently induced.
The Court of Appeals agreed with our arguments and affirmed the Circuit Court’s dismissal. Under Michigan’s Uniform Commercial Code and the jurisprudence interpreting it, “meeting of the minds” is unnecessary – a payment discharges a claim so long as it is accompanied by a conspicuous written statement to the effect that it is tendered in full satisfaction of the claim. Further, there could be no finding of fraud because Plaintiff was provided with full information as to what the payment was for and elected to deposit and retain the funds anyway. As such, Plaintiff’s claims were validly discharged by the pre-suit settlement and the lawsuit against our clients was barred and dismissed with prejudice.
Super Lawyer Rising Star Awarded
RCR proudly announces that Matt Sunderlin was selected as Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
Another Dismissal
Matt Sunderlin obtained summary dismissal of a Plaintiff’s negligence claims. The Court found that the Plaintiff did not sustain any “threshold” injury in the alleged accident and dismissed the Plaintiff’s claims against the driver and the owner of the alleged at-fault vehicle with prejudice.
Replacement Services Claim Tossed
Matt Sunderlin obtained summary dismissal of a Plaintiff’s replacement services claim. The Judge agreed that Plaintiff’s claims were not actually incurred pursuant to the Michigan No-Fault Act.
Dismissal of $216,000 in Bills
Matt Sunderlin obtained dismissal of Plaintiff’s $216,000 PIP claim. The Judge agreed that the Plaintiff’s bills were excluded by Michigan law.
Dismissal with Prejudice
Matt Sunderlin achieved a dismissal of a negligence case via Summary Disposition. Matt’s motion was granted based on the Plaintiff’s lack of serious impairment of body function.
Dismissal of Aggravated Injury Claims
Plaintiff‘s attempt to blame a recent work injury on the subject accident was not successful. Plaintiff fell at work and blamed the fall on instability caused by the auto accident. Matt Sunderlin convinced the court to exclude those claims from the case, reducing the potential exposure significantly.
Commercial Trucking Suit Dismissed
A commercial trucking case with catastrophic injuries and brain injury producing severe mental incapacity was dismissed with prejudice. Matt Sunderlin successfully argued that the policy did not cover the alleged accident.
No Insurable Interest
Matt Sunderlin obtained Summary Disposition via motion. The Judge agreed that there existed no insurable interest. The motion was granted and dismissed with prejudice.