I’ve been doing trust and estate litigation as well as transactional real estate work since 1983. I’m known in the community as both a tough litigator and a knowledgeable real estate lawyer. These two seemingly disparate areas of practice are very closely related because the large estates and trusts I’m asked to get involved in often own significant real estate assets. Conversely, those who own real estate often have estate and trust issues that need to be addressed.

My passion for the practice of transactional law emanates from a strong desire to actively participate in, and engender, win-win scenarios. To satisfy this thirst, I ultimately immersed myself in negotiating mergers and acquisition of businesses, the closing of which invariably result in abundant smiles on the faces of the participants. These activities eventually led to my involvement in private securities offerings and capital-raising activities for my clients, for which I prepared the requisite disclosure documentation to ensure compliance with myriad federal and state securities laws governing regulating such offerings. I always sense the excitement of the issuers and investors alike when an offering closes and the prospects of the business, at least for that moment, shine brightly. Of course, my practice encompasses far more than business acquisitions and private securities offerings. I frequently represent clients in business and commercial transactions of almost every conceivable type and nature.

My practice entails two main areas, which may be distinctive, yet utilize the same primary proficiencies:  hard work, sound thinking, effective communication and keen understanding of the law and legal system.   Since I began my career in 1980, a significant portion of my work has centered on representing individuals in personal injury/medical malpractice litigation.  Presently, I handle many cases for the elderly who have been subjected to nursing home abuse.  At the same time, I have represented companies, and individual clients, in a wide variety of business matters involving breach of contract claims, discrimination actions, shareholder and insurance disputes, and errors/omissions suits. I also provide problem solving and human resources consultation with many business clients.

I negotiate and litigate contracts, which allows me to advise business clients practically and to advocate for them effectively. I draft and review a wide array of business contracts and address business-related legal issues for construction, software and IT, cannabis, and other industries, providing compliance and risk management advice as outside general counsel. I have experience with business sales and acquisitions in retail, manufacturing, and health care. I have litigated 15 jury trials involving insurance E&O, unfair competition, and personal injury claims.

I have a wide-ranging litigation practice with an emphasis on business and appellate matters. Regardless of the type of case or the scale of the problem, I start by looking at the big picture and identifying an efficient and effective path to my client’s objective. I am not afraid to use strategies or make arguments that are outside of the box if they serve my client’s goals. I understand what is important to judges, arbitrators, and other decisionmakers, and I work hard to present my clients’ perspectives in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.

I confront complicated webs of factual circumstances and legal considerations and simplify them in order to derive sound solutions for my clients. I am adept at locating key support for clients’ positions in case law from 100 years ago, client documents from 10 years ago, or changes in law from 10 days ago. I have presented written and/or oral advocacy to adjudicators of all levels, including arbitrators; mediators; supreme, appellate, circuit, probate, family, and district courts of Michigan; and federal district and appellate courts.

Eric D. Berlin is a Litigation Attorney at Hertz Schram, where he works with individuals and businesses through all stages and aspects of litigation. Eric focuses his practice on medical malpractice matters, commercial litigation and business disputes, and general/civil litigation matters. In this role, Eric works to achieve the best results for his clients by vigorously and aggressively representing their interests and serving as their counselor, advocate, and problem-solver, all while bringing enthusiasm, energy, and professionalism to his work.