Paul J. Millenbach

Paul is a litigator and a co-leader of the General and Commercial Litigation Practice Group. Paul has a diverse practice built on 30-plus years of experience and an unwillingness to turn down a case. He began his career at a boutique firm in Bloomfield Hills specializing in transportation regulatory cases. The firm merged into Foster Swift in 1991 and, except for several years at a plaintiff personal injury firm, Paul has remained at Foster Swift ever since. Paul’s practice includes transportation and logistics, Michigan No-Fault (PIP and third party), automobile negligence, mass tort defense, commercial litigation, and premises liability.

A tireless litigator, Paul enjoys taking cases to trial, but is also a highly effective negotiator. Clients appreciate his concern over their bottom line and often thank him for the passion he puts into all his cases, regardless of the magnitude.

Paul is admitted in Michigan, along with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, and a Board member of the Detroit Bar Association where he was President from 2022 to 2023. He is also a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the Detroit Bar Foundation.

Committed to keeping clients abreast of changes in the law, Paul frequently speaks to a variety of groups, including transportation industry leaders, health care financial officers, trade organizations, chambers of commerce, insurance companies, and attorneys. He was a visiting lecturer on Constitutional Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and the former President of the Northern Michigan University Alumni Association Board of Directors. He previously served as the Vice President of the firm’s Southfield office and was a member of the Executive Committee.

Detroit Bar Asscociation, Executive Director’s Award, 2024

AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell

"Leaders in the Law" Class of 2022, Michigan Lawyers Weekly

Detroit Bar Association, 2016-2017 Committee of the Year Award – Third Circuit Luncheon Committee

Best Lawyers® 2017 & 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" - Detroit, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants 

Best Lawyers® in America, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2013-2026

Michigan Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor, 2016

Michigan Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2017-2025

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Administrative Law Section
  • Negligence Section
• American Bar Association
• Detroit Bar Association, Board Member, 2011 to present
  • President, 2022-2023
  • Vice President, 2021-2022
  • Secretary/Treasurer, 2020-2021
• University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Visiting Lecturer, 2008 to 2011
• Michigan State Bar Foundation
  • Fellow
• Detroit Bar Foundation
  • Fellow
• ACADEMIC POSITION: Baker College, Business Law, adjunct professor

Industry & Professional Associations:

• Michigan Truck Safety Commission, Appointed Commissioner, 2010-2011
• Transportation Club of Detroit
  • Board Member, 2024-Present
  • Chair, Membership Committee
• Michigan Movers Association
• Michigan Trucking Association
  • Board of Governors, 2024-Present

Community Involvement:

• Northern Michigan University Alumni Association Board of Directors
  • President 2013-2014
  • Vice President 2012-2013
• Grosse Pointe South High School Mock Trial Team
  • Attorney advisor