Ray H. Littleton

Ray Littleton’s practice area consists of commercial and general litigation. He works with insurers, businesses and other organizations address a wide range of litigation matters and disputes, specializing in five key areas:

Insurance. Part of Ray’s practice deals with insurance defense matters that require him to conduct lead counsel duties in litigation. He specializes in handling claims related to bodily injury, property damage, theft, fraud, SIU matters, Michigan No-Fault litigation, Uninsured Motorist Benefits and Underinsured Motorist Benefits litigation. He also has extensive experience in handling insurance coverage issues and claim investigations.

Health Care. Ray has represented state-funded health care plans and providers who receive MI Choice Medicaid Waiver benefits. He assists companies in drafting and complying with Business Associate agreements and insurance provider agreements. He has litigated and defended claims for benefit payments and pursued claims for reimbursement related to health care plans.

Transportation. Ray represents medical and non-medical transportation companies with respect to business associate agreements, insurance coverage matters, and negotiations with transportation carriers and medical providers. He has also handled litigation matters for railroad clients including preparing trial briefings, jury instructions, witness testimony, and pre and post-trial motions in a railroad crossing accident case and in a railroad FELA cumulative trauma trial.

Warranty claims. Ray has represented businesses, particularly automotive suppliers, in connection with warranty claims and disputes under Article II of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).

Additionally, he has extensive experience handling other automotive supplier litigation matters involving machining and molding issues, molding liens, supply agreements and duration, price, quantity and termination provisions.

Employment disputes, discrimination and retaliation. Ray has handled employment defense matters for businesses regarding employment discrimination and retaliation claims, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) advice, and advise regarding the enforcement of non-compete agreements.

Ray has litigated in the Circuit Courts of Michigan and Wisconsin and has argued in front of the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Federal District Courts in Michigan as well as the Federal District Courts in Wisconsin. He has also handled Circuit Court Trials and Administrative Trials, including the defense of an employer in a MIOSHA Trial.

He is a graduate of Yale University and earned his law degree from Marquette University Law School. In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Michigan Super Lawyers awarded Ray its “Rising Star” honor. Michigan Lawyers Weekly awarded Ray its “Leader in the Law” honor in 2024.

Ray is very involved in firm management. He currently sits on the firms Executive Committee, is the Vice President of the Southfield office, and is the chair for the firm's Diversity Committee. Ray is currently a Board member of the State Bar Assocation and the Detroit Bar Association. 

Ray previously served as the chair of the Rules and Calendar Committee on the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly and served as a representative on the Assembly for Oakland County.

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, "Leader in the Law", 2024

Michigan Super Lawyers "Rising Star", General Litigation, 2013-2019

• Provided Bodily Injury Trial defense in Premise Liability matters and Third-Party automotive litigation matters.
• Successfully defended MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program administrator in litigation involving benefit payments.
• Successfully obtained reimbursement for MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program benefits in litigation.
• Drafted and negotiated Business Associate Agreements for health care providers and health care plans.
• Successfully defended an automotive machining company in a business tort dispute.
• Effectively defended insurers against fraudulent property and theft claims.
• Successfully defended automotive insurer against breach of contract action for a vehicle theft claim.
• Successfully defended outdoor Kiosk vendor in warranty dispute.
• Litigated fraudulent conveyance claim in a non-dischargeability against a chapter 7 debtor.
• Successfully defended out of state automotive finance company against Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claim.
• Enforced a non-compete agreement in the home and health hospice industry.
• Handled first chair trial counsel responsibilities against claims involving trust contests and commission fee disputes.
• Handled first chair trial counsel responsibilities in an OSHA administrative trial.
• Regularly represents insurers in coverage disputes and claims investigations.
• Assisted receiver in operation and sale of gas station and automotive body shop as well as other assets.
• Handled 2nd and 3rd chair trial responsibilities in a transportation and trucking arbitration dispute and a personal injury mediation involving governmental immunity.

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Representative Assembly Member
    • Rules and Calendar Chairman for the Representative Assembly
  • Detroit Bar Association
    • Fellow
    • Board Member, Director
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Michigan State Bar Foundation
    • Fellow
  • Oakland County Bar Foundation
    • Fellow

Industry & Professional Associations:

• ICLE Litigation Planning Committee Member
• Wolverine Bar Association
• Michigan Yale Alumni Association
• Yale Football Alumni Association
• Floyd Skinner Bar Association, Former Board Member