Former Chief Justice of Michigan Supreme Court Joins Miller Canfield

DETROIT, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Miller Canfield announces that former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, Clifford W. Taylor, will join the firm on February 15 as Of Counsel in the appellate section of the Litigation and Trial Group in the Lansing, Michigan and Naples, Florida offices. With 16 years of judicial experience, Taylor adds vast expertise to the firm's appellate practice.

"Justice Taylor will be a valuable resource for clients. From his years of experience on the appellate bench, he knows first-hand what works and what does not in pursuing and presenting an appeal," said Michael Coakley, leader of Miller Canfield's Litigation and Trial Group.

Justice Taylor was appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 1992 and elected later that year. He remained in that position until 1997 when he was appointed by former Governor John Engler to the Michigan Supreme Court. He was elected Justice in 1998 and reelected in 2000. In 2005, he was elected Chief Justice by his colleagues and re-elected in 2007. He served as Chief Justice until 2009.

Justice Taylor came to know state and federal judges throughout Michigan and the United States as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Chief Justices and as a board member of George Mason University's Law and Economics Center, a leading provider of continuing judicial education for Federal District and Court of Appeals judges and state court appellate judges.

At Miller Canfield, Justice Taylor will appear on behalf of amici curiae on appeals involving federal and state constitutional, statutory and public policy matters. He will consult regarding appeal strategy, court decisions and justices, settlement strategy on appeal, and will participate in mock appeals and preparation for oral argument on appeal. He will also serve as an arbitrator and mediator.

Justice Taylor will retain his position of Justice in Residence and Visiting Professor of Law at the Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida. He is a member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild. He has served on the State Bar of Michigan Character and Fitness Committee and Standing Committee on Professionalism, Michigan State Board of Law Examiners, Commission on the Courts in the Twenty-First Century, Board of Directors of the Michigan Dyslexia Institute and Chief Okemos Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Justice Taylor received his J.D. from George Washington University and his B.A. from the University of Michigan. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1967-1971.

The law firm of Miller Canfield offers businesses, governments, nonprofits, individuals and families a broad array of integrated legal and business services in over 55 areas. With Michigan roots for 158 years and a global reach for two decades, the firm has more than 370 lawyers throughout offices in Michigan, Illinois, Florida, New York, Ohio, Canada, Mexico, Poland and China. For more information, visit www.millercanfield.com.

SOURCE Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone