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. Given his diverse background representing both plaintiffs and defendants, Paul has recently begun a practice devoted to mediation and arbitration.

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.

Best Lawyers in America®, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, (2013-2027)

Michigan Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, (2017-2026)

Detroit Bar Association, Executive Director’s Award, (2024)

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

AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell

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

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

Michigan Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor, (2016)

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Administrative Law Section
  • Negligence Section
• American Bar Association
• Detroit Bar Association, Board Member, (2011-2023)
  • President, (2022-2023)
  • Vice President, (2021-2022)
  • Secretary/Treasurer, (2020-2021)
• University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Visiting Lecturer, (2008-2011)
• 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, General Counsel
• 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